Earl Lee Azeltine

 Earl Lee Azeltine, 79, of Chehalis, Wash., passed away peacefully at home Monday, March 28, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Born Dec. 26, 1936, in Yakima, Wash., as the only child of Earl Leslie Azeltine and Ruby Elizabeth Smith. He grew up in Raymond, Wash., where he graduated from Raymond High School. He met the love of his life, Maretta Holmes. Three years after meeting, Earl and Maretta married June 14, 1958 and relocated to Seattle, Wash., while he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from the University of Washington. Earl began his career as a land surveyor for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. After relocating several times, Earl and Maretta moved to Chehalis in 1963. In Chehalis, Earl and Maretta raised their four children and niece, as well as calling many others their children. He was a kind and gentle man, who touched the lives of many people. He is remembered by many as always there attending sporting events and activities of his children and grandchildren. Earl had a great love for hunting, fishing, clam digging and sports, but most of all he loved his family, The greatest love of his life was Maretta, with whom he would have shared 58 years of marriage on June 14, 2016. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed. After retiring from the Department of Natural Recourses, Earl owned and operated Azeltine and Associates professional land surveying and in 1991, he began working for the Department of Fish and Wildlife as a surveyor. Earl retired from the State of Washington at the age of 72. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Maretta Azeltine; children, Earl (Sari) Azeltine, Steven (Patty) Azeltine, Terri (Tyler) Solt, Tonya (Bradley) Todd and Brandi Holmes; grandchildren, Markus and Sami Azeltine, Mary (Jake) Drewry and Katie Azeltine, Dustin (Jennifer) Solt, Jasen (Nicky) Solt, K’Lynn Solt and Danielle Solt, Kristianna Kennedy, Shania Kennedy and Justin Kennedy; 10 greatgrandchildren; numerous brothers-in-law and sistersin-law; as well as nieces and nephews, who all share in his loss. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Azeltine and Ruby Chamberlin; brothers-inlaw, Melvin Smith and David Holmes; sisters-in-law, Juanita Hebish and Christine Caudill; nephew, Brian Caudill; and grandson, Brennon Henry Solt. A visitation will be held at Newell-Hoerling's Mortuary, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Graveside services at Claquato Cemetery, Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., with a celebration of life reception at the Newaukum Grange Hall immediately following.

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