The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Alma passed away March 14, 2012 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia WA, just days before her 90th birthday. She was born on Mar 31, 1922 to Renalder and Clara Borgen in Baudette, Minnesota. Her grandparents were immigrants of Norway, which she was very proud of. After leaving home she taught school in a one room school house, displaying her love for children. Later she took an interest in sewing, which led her to take formal training in tailoring and dressmaking. She was a gifted seamstress. She later met Arthur Newbury in Davenport WA and were married on May 14, 1951 in Spokane. They had two children, A. Bryan, and Robert. They eventually settled in Waitsburg. Alma enjoyed keeping "homemade" in everyone’s vocabulary by sewing, breadbaking, scandanavian recipes, even soapmaking. She was an alteration seamstress for Grecos, in Walla Walla. After Arthur's death, she moved to Olympia to be closer to her family. In 2009, she moved to Mother Josephs Care Center in Olympia where she resided until her death. Alma is survived by two sons, A. Bryan, Olympia WA., Robert (Clarece) Sumner WA., three grandchildren, Rhonda (Kyle) Juergens, Nooksack WA., Anna (Kris) Johnson, Puyallup WA., Nicholas (Erin) Newbury, Lansing MI. Four great-grandchildren, Avery and Kendall Juergens, Morgan Johnson and Selma Newbury. Three brothers, Lester, Virginia., Robert (Joyce) Anatone WA., and Melvin (Pat), Baudette MN. , Fern (Bob) Alexon, Lakeville MN. Never caring for her given name, she preferred Ole, Mort or her favorite "Nana" given to her by her three grandchildren. She loved them more than anything. So Nana, for all the ruffles, endless Lady and the Tramp, bows, secret pockets, scraps of fabric we designed with, mudpies made, and the lilac bushes, we love and will miss you. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2:30 pm at the Waitsburg First Christian Church.