Milton G. Whitsell

Milton G. Whitsell, age 98, of Woodenville, WA, died Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at his residence. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Winfred Cemetery.

Milton George Whitsell was born, September 1, 1919 and grew up in the unincorporated Junius community of Lake County, South Dakota. He had 7 sisters and was the only boy. He lived thru the depression, World War II and has seen many things change and evolve in his 98 ½ years. He was a lifelong learner and in his late 80’s mastered the basics of an Apple computer using it almost daily up until his death.  Milton attended the local County school and completed a couple years of high school until he had to stop due to his father’s cardiac issues and eventual death.  When he was 18 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and worked for 6 months, sending money home to the family. Milton finished with the CCC in 1939, and at 19 years old drove himself to Seattle in a car he had won. After his arrival to Seattle he completed His GED by taking correspondence classes and attending night school. Once in Seattle he was employed by Great Northern Railroad. This was the start of a lifelong 40 year career with the Great Northern Railroad/Burlington Northern. He started as a switchmen and the last 20 years as an officer, retiring as the Terminal Manager in Tacoma, Washington. 

He met his beloved wife of 66 years, Dorothy in Seattle through his Sisters and they married, December 21, 1946. They resided in Seattle until 1970 when he was transferred to Tacoma. A few years after his retirement in 1980, they moved to Bellevue. Milton loved being out of doors and enjoyed pheasant and duck hunting, golfing, gardening, playing cards and taking walks. During his 50’s Milton got up on snow skies at Ski Acres and water skied on Hood Canal. He was a onetime snow skier and a onetime water skier. Later in his 80’s he rode a jet ski on Lake Washington with his grandson Bennet. Both he and Dorothy were avid attenders of their grandchildren’s sporting events and loved cheering them on.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Gary Whitsell and wife Donna of Woodinville, WA. His daughter, Debra McFarland and husband Don of Wildwood, MO. six grandchildren, Gregory, Daniel and Bennett Whitsell and Lauren, Courtney and James McFarland. Five great grandchildren, Luke, Sam, Kate, Maren and Eben.

Milton was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, George Milton and Nancy Myrtle (Hanson), an infant brother and seven sisters and their husbands. 

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