Bernita Falk Bacchus Coulter
1927-2004
Bernita Marie was the first-born child to Henry and Ersyle (Anderson) Falk
of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington
where Bernita graduated from Stadium High School, and later attended the
College of Puget Sound.
Bernita met Sidney James Bacchus, whom she married on August 16, 1950, in
Sun Valley, Idaho. After their wedding, Bernita moved to Vashon Island,
where Sid had grown up, and was co-owner of the Bacchus Lumber Co. Together,
Sid and Bernita raised three sons and were active members of the Vashon
community. They attended the Church of the Holy Spirit, and were founding
members of the Vashon Island Country Club.
A dedicated mother and grandmother, Bernita also participated in many
activities. She worked for the Vashon school district, enjoyed playing
bridge with her girlfriends, and tending to her beautiful flower gardens.
She was classy, fun loving, loved to travel and was an avid Mariners
baseball fan. Bernita, a breast cancer survivor, was awarded “Woman of the
Year” by Swedish Hospital, for her tireless work for cancer research.
After Sid’s death, Bernita was successful in managing and operating the
Bacchus Lumber Co., an established family business.
Bernita later married Lee Coulter, a longtime friend, and they continued to
live on Vashon.
After retiring from the lumber business, Bernita moved to Gig Harbor. She
purchased an older house she immediately fell in love with. This house was
on a hill overlooking the harbor, and after some of Bernita’s tender loving
care, was transformed into a wonderful, country cottage.
Bernita died on May 25, surrounded by family, at her home that she loved so
much.
Bernita’s friends would say that she was a very friendly person, easy to
know and love, with a gift for great compassion. She will be remembered by
friends and family alike for these great qualities. She was loved and will
be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren: son Ladd, his wife,
Sun, and daughters Kim and Stephanie, of Gig Harbor; son Randy, his wife,
Suzie, and son Jesse, of Bend Oregon; son Brett, his wife, Stacy, and
children Josh and Ellie, of Vashon; two brothers, Rolf H. Falk of Mill
Creek, and Thomas P. Falk of Sandy, Oregon; and many dear and wonderful
lifelong friends including sisters-in-law Darlene and Carol.
Family welcomes friends to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Friday,
June 4 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 7701 Skansie Ave., Gig
Harbor, 253-858-3777. Reception follows.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Franciscan Foundation,
Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401, Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center, or to a charity of donor’s choice.
