Obituary of Kenneth Elfbrandt

Kenneth Wallace Elfbrandt 8 October, 1924 ~ 17 January, 2012 Ken was born to Charles and Helen Elfbrandt in Montesano, Washington. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II on the USS Bering Strait. He had been totally blind since an accident in 1946, but never let that limit him. He was a huge sports fan, avid reader, world traveler, and an enthusiastic eater. Ken lived in the Olympia area for 43 years. He also resided in Montesano, Spokane, Longview, Seattle, Olympia, and Lacey, Washington. Ken received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Washington University, and earned a J.D. law degree from the University of Washington. Ken met his wife of 40 years, Shirley Brandenburg Elfbrandt, on a blind date. They were married on June 27, 1971, at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Edmonds, Washington. Ken worked as a teacher in Spokane and Longview, Washington. He also worked as a private practice attorney in Seattle and Olympia. He then went to work in state government as an assistant State Attorney General and the Executive Secretary for the State Personnel Appeals Board. He retired from state government in 1989. Following retirement, Ken served as the President, Vice-President, and Legislative Committee Member of the Washington State School Retirees’ Association (1990-2007). He also served as a Legislative Committee Member of Washington Public Employees Association until 2007. Ken enjoyed reading history and mystery books, travelling with his wife around the world, spending time with family and friends, operating HAM radios, listening to big band and swing music, and rooting for the U.W. Huskies. Ken’s family was very important to him. He had one brother, Vern (Barbara) Elfbrandt (deceased). He had one daughter, Kennie Sue McDowell (Tom) of Peoria, AZ, and one son, Erik Elfbrandt (deceased). He had seven grandchildren, Jack Mowreader (Tara), Kim Perdue (Brent), Ian Elfbrandt (Mandy), Tim Elfbrandt, Chris McDowell (deceased), Kim Ells (Lonnie), and Katelyn Stuart (Baker). He also had seven great-grandchildren, Baudilio, Ryan, Ashley, Brendan, Myah, Gavin, and Cody. If you would like to make a memorial donation, Ken’s family suggests that you make a donation to one of the following organizations in his memory: WSSRA Foundation, 4726 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey WA 98503 (http://www.wssra.org/donation.htm) or Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2021 9th Avenue, Seattle WA 98121-2783 (http://www.wtbbl.org/Donate.aspx). Please leave memories of Ken or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.