Clarice Walgren

1922 – 2017

Clarice Walgren passed peacefully on September 9, 2017. Clarice was born on December 26, 1922, in New Rockford, North Dakota and was the seventh of eight children of William Leslie Curfman and Marie Theresa Gorman.

She moved to Vashon Island in 1955 with her husband John A. Hjorten. After John’s death in 1969, Clarice was employed by Leighton’s Apparell. Arzelle Leighton encouraged Clarice to learn the business and eventually purchase the clothing store.

Clarice married Ted Walgren in 1986. Ted and Clarice lived happily on Gorsuch Road for thirty years. Their home was filled with family pictures, dozens of kids’ heights marked on the pantry door, the sounds of kids playing in the toy box or running through the house. Delightful smells came from the kitchen where one could snitch a cookie, pieces of banana bread, or the BEST apple pie.

Clarice was known for her cakes. She and her soul sister, Flo Ann Wittman, baked wedding cakes together for more than thirty years. Countless family members and Islanders enjoyed their delicious cakes at weddings, birthdays, or for any occasion.

As a committed community member, Clarice was always volunteering. She was a Boy Scout den mother, President of the mothers’ club for Demolay, charter member of the Prebyterian Church, President and last remaining member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, member of the Order of the Eastern Star along with Soroptomists. For years Clarice placed flags out at the cemetery for Memorial Day, worked polling booths on election day and sewed quilts for Children’s Hospital. In 1986, Clarice was proudly selected as the Grand Marshall of the Vashon Strawberry Festival Parade for being a pivotal community member.

Fun for Clarice was attending events at the Burton Dance Club, Sportsman’s Club and VFW Hall. Participating with the Vashon Bowling Club, Bridge Club, Bingo, Sr. Center and, her favorite, The Breakfast Club.

Clarice was preceded in death by her husband John A. Hjorten, and sons Richard Hjorten, Gary Hjorten and John C. Hjorten. She is survived by her husband Ted

Walgren, her children Beverly Faulkner, Harley Hjorten, Barbara Goering (Bob),

Dennis Hjorten, Joyce Fox, Doris Paulsen(Dean) and Jerry Hjorten (Carol) and

daughter-in-law Katie Hjorten as well as 21 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for 1:00pm on October 28th at the Sportsmen’s Club, pot luck luncheon. Memorial donations can be made to the Vashon Senior Center or the Vashon Presbyterian Church.