Obituaries: Goldie Adelia Sivertsen, 103

Goldie passed away peacefully in Arlington, WA with her family by her side on May 6, 2013.

Goldie was the only child born to John and Fern Ludeman on January 29, 2010 in Newport, Oregon.

She shared happy memories of her first years in Waldport, Oregon; playing with her cousins, accompanying her father on his small ferry transporting people and goods across the Alsea River, and visiting around town with her pet rooster in her arms.

She moved to Wrangell with her parents where they lived and worked on their large floating crab cannery until the family moved to Petersburg.

She married Charles Diven and had two children, Chuck and Ann Diven. She has many fond memories of living at Beechers Pass in the Wrangell Narrows with her husband and children. The family moved to Oregon, but Goldie returned to Petersburg with her children.

She was happily married to Sven Zetteberg for numerous years until his passing.

Goldie had several different jobs in her lifetime, but her favorite was working in gift shops. Anyone who knew Goldie recognized her appreciation for beautiful things – jewelry, dishes, clothes and art work.

Goldie was married to John Sivertsen. They lived many happy years in Petersburg until John’s death in 1981.

After John died, Goldie moved back to Wrangell to be near her daughter, Ann and her family.

She was adept at many hobbies including embroidery, sewing, knitting and beading. She won several ribbons for her bead work at the Alaska State Fair. Her friends and family have many cherished works of art created by Goldie.

She could be seen picking cranberries every season in the muskeg. She also loved to pick blueberries with her friends out the road. She loved her Wednesday “Lunch Bunch” and Thursday “Art Group”. She was a member of Eastern Star, Hospital Auxiliary and the Pioneers.

But her greatest joy was time spent with her family. We all loved to visit her in her cozy corner apartment and she was always eager to go on any excursion up North or down South. Our greatest challenge was in keeping up with her, well into her 90’s.

She was preceeded in death by her beautiful daughter Ann Ritchie (Allan), Husband John Sivertsen and Great-Granddaughter Terra Rose Musser.

She is survived by her son, Chuck Diven (Pat), Grandchildren: Sue Ritchie, Brenna Ritchie Musser (Jim), Mike Diven, Shannon Barry (Tom), Keli-Ann Diven (Steve) and dear friend Patricia Howard Diven. Great Grandchildren: Chad (Bonnie), Annya and Jessica Ritchie, Savanah, Emily, and Molly Barry, Jim, Isaac, Celeste, Julia and Carmen Musser, Justin Sims (Nicole), Great-Great Grandchildren: Laven, Logan, Bella & Ryder Ritchie, Zahara Ritchie-Canady and Gabrielle Sims.

When asked what her secret to her longevity was, Goldie would answer “eat breakfast every morning, walk whenever possible, have a hobby and a toddy every evening”.

Her family gathered in Arlington, WA on Mother’s Day to honor her memory. A Celebration of Life in Wrangell, AK will be announced at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Wrangell Public Library or Wrangell Museum.