Ilene Estelle Urschel

Our very sweet and wonderful Ilene left this world for an eternal one on February 24, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.

Ilene (mom) was born in Dillon, MT on January 13th, 1918 to James and Adeline Jackson. She attended Normal College in Dillon and began teaching in Boulder, MT in 1936.

On February 18th, 1940, she married Floyd M. Urschel. During the war years, she spent time with her in-laws in Great Falls, MT and Oakland, CA. while Floyd was in the military. After the war, they lived in Renton and Seattle, WA and Wichita, KS. Mom finished her teaching degree at Wichita State University and taught kindergarten there from 1958 to 1962. When they moved to their beach front home in Burton, Vashon Island, WA, where they lived from 1963 to 1991, mom continued to teach kindergarten until she retired in 1980. There are multiple generations of Islanders who remember Mrs. Urschel as their beloved teacher. In 1991, they built a home on Maury Island, then in the early 2000’s moved to Ruston. When Floyd passed away, Ilene moved to Merrill Gardens in Tacoma.

Mom enjoyed gardening, cooking, piano, rock hounding, volunteering at the Vashon nursing home, working with her local chapter of the PEO, and most of all, gathering with her family and friends at reunions and holidays. Mom is survived by her brother Bob Jackson (Ray), son Mel Urschel (Judy) daughter Mary Ann Bunnell (Steve), grandchildren Beth Wilson, Heather Urschel (Mike), and Aaron Urschel (Kristine), great-grandchildren Ashlan, Adrian, and Violet Adeline… and seven dogs. She is preceded in death by husband Floyd, brother Melbourne (Betty), and sister Bunny Hall.

Thanks to the many folks at Merrill Gardens who made moms last year so pleasant, as well as to the staff at Orchard Park for such loving care in her final days. A memorial will be held at the Fircrest United Methodist church on April 13th at 3:00pm.

Paid Obituary.