L. Myrtle Belling

L. Myrtle Belling, 94, died April 15 at Messenger House Care Center on Bainbridge Island.

She was born Dec. 24, 1911, in Seattle, the fourth child of Norwegian immigrants Kristen and Anne Belling and the only one of her siblings born in a hospital.

She was raised and resided all her life on Bainbridge Island, and lived in her own home until recently.

In 1912, she was one of the first children to be baptized at Port Madison Lutheran Church, and was a lifetime member of the congregation.

She graduated in 1931 and worked in the shipyard on Bainbridge Island during World War II for the U.S. Navy.

She worked in the island’s strawberry cannery during summers.

She retired from the Bon Marche in Seattle.

She was very fond of birds and provided many good cookies to her nieces and nephews over the years.

She was preceded in death by her brothers John and Barney and her sister Christine.

She never married but had a large extended family, including nephews David Belling of Bainbridge Island, Richard Belling of Poulsbo and James Belling of Colorado; niece Beverly Belling of Portland; 12 grandnieces and grandnephews; 17 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; one great-great-grandniece; and numerous others who called her “Aunt Myrtle.”

Services will be at 2 p.m. April 22 at Port Madison Lutheran Church, with Pastor Lori Hoyum officiating.

Memorials may be made to Port Madison Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 4787, Rolling Bay Washington, 98061.

Arrangements are by Kass & Cook Family Funeral Home.