Obituary of Loveta Eileen Specht

Loveta Eileen "Sue" Specht passed away peacefully at age 79 on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at The Hampton assisted living facility in Tumwater, Washington. She was born to Howard and Elsie Joplin in Elma, Washington. Her dad nicknamed her Suzie after the song "Suzie Q" by Dale Hawkins. The name “Sue” stuck, and she went by that name for the rest of her life. 

 

Sue graduated from Elma High School in 1962 and Grays Harbor College in 1964. 

 

Sue married Dennis Specht on October 15, 1966. She worked at State Parks and Recreation in Olympia until 1967, when she and daughter, Lisa, flew to Taiwan to join Dennis, who was stationed there with the U.S. Air Force. While living in Taiwan, daughter, Karen, was born. 

 

The family returned to Washington in 1970 and Sue worked at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Olympia. In 1977, the family moved to Mercer Island and Sue transferred to the Attorney General's Office in Seattle. She worked there until she retired. 

 

Sue enjoyed her grandchildren, shopping, and traveling. 

 

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Specht; parents, Howard and Elsie Joplin; and brother, Arthur Joplin. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Jeddie) Pedersen and Karen Specht; grandchildren, Jessica (Zane) Kuddes, Elizabeth Starnes, Arielle Pedersen, Karl Pedersen and Lars Pedersen; her son, Shannon (Ann) Birzer; grandchildren; Kelsee (Jeff) Hauser, Lakin Blair, Gabrielle Birzer, Lauren Birzer, Sean Birzer, Jayce Christiansen, Jaxon Christiansen, Bradyn Christiansen; three great-grandchildren; her brother, Gary (Shirley) Joplin; and many nieces and nephews. 

 

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