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3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 OBITUARIES Forrest William Harding Kaisa K. Saari Imbler March 3, 1941 — April 1, 2017 Naselle, Washington May 29, 1938 — March 24, 2017 Forrest William Harding, of Imbler, Ore- of seeing the redwoods, those beautiful big gon, and many years in Elsie, Oregon (aka trees. He also was a fisherman several times Bill to his family, and Weasel to his friends) in Alaska, when he decided to find a “safer” left this earth on April 1, 2017, after 76 years job than logging. of living life to its fullest on his own He was a lover of hunting, motorcycles (in his younger days), terms. fishing, gardening, shooting, grow- A graveside service will be ing roses and listening to good held Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Elsie Cemetery on U.S. Highway music. 26 at 1 p.m., officiated by Brian His surviving family include his friend and partner for life, Joan McKelvey. Harding; four children, James Forrest was born on March 3, Harding, Scott Harding, Jessica 1941, to Forrest E. Harding and Harding Bogard and April Harding Ruth (Gagnon) Harding in Astoria, Scurr; his brother, Gary Harding; 11 Oregon. He graduated from Sea- side, Oregon, in 1959 and joined the Forrest Harding grandchildren, Rachael, Stephanie, Mekenzi, Austin, Stephen, William, U.S. Army in July 1959 until Janu- Michelle, Brandon, Finnegan, Imre ary 1963. Forrest married Carolyn Mae Rackley in and Annabelle; three great-grandchildren; and 1962, and had two sons, James and Scoot. He eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, married his wife of 45 years, Joan Thomes, on Forrest and Ruth; and brother in spirit, if not Dec. 3, 1975. Forrest was a logger his whole life, start- in blood, Bruce Thomes. Online condolences may be made to the ing with Crown Zellerbach in the 1960s. But it wasn’t until 2010 that he fulfilled a dream family at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com Kaisa K. Saari, a Naselle resident, 78, died “Mummi” and “Ukki” — the Finnish terms for March 24, 2017, in Portland, Oregon. She was “grandma” and “grandpa” used by the couple’s born in Kuopio, Finland, on May 29, 1938, to six grandchildren. She loved music, and lent her voice to sev- Tauno and Rauha (Miettinen) Kankkunen. The oldest of five children, she spent her eral community choirs. She was also early life in Finland, growing up in a devoted member of the Naselle Kuopio, and later, Jyväskylä. Assembly of God Church, where she After graduating from high school, could always be found sitting in her Kaisa fed her interest in language same spot: in the front, off to the side. by traveling to the U.S., where she Her faith was her greatest passion and intended to learn English, and return solace, and fueled every decision she to Finland as an English teacher. made. Instead, she met Wilho Saari, whom Though her earlier years were she married in June 1957, a few filled with travel and adventure, Kai- months after their first introduction. sa’s later life was, as she said, “gen- Kaisa Saari Wilho and Kaisa settled first in tle.” She enjoyed racing Wilho in daily Seattle, where Wilho was finishing crossword and Sudoku puzzles; she his student teaching. Shortly after, usually won. She spent many hours they moved to North River, Washington, where a day knitting — she never used a pattern, and Wilho taught for two years, and where they hardly even needed to look down, but always welcomed their first child, son Riki, in 1959. produced works of art that were gifted to family The following year, the family moved back to members and community members alike. Seattle, so Kaisa could attend Seattle Pacific She invested deeply and quietly in the lives of University. the people she loved. When retirement spurred During her four years of study, Kaisa a new musical career for Wilho, she traveled received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish, and alongside him as his “roadie.” She personally had her second child, daughter Karen, in 1962. and prayerfully rooted her grandchildren on in She immediately went on to obtain her mas- each venture. She welcomed visitors warmly, ter’s degree in Spanish from the University of treated all graciously, and is remembered, espe- Washington. cially, for the sincerely kind smile that always In 1965, the Saari’s accepted teaching posi- accompanied any greeting. tions at a mission school in Liberia, West Kaisa was preceded in death by her brother, Africa, where they lived until 1969. Upon fin- Kauko Kankkunen, and sister, Kerttu Gus- ishing their African adventure, the young fam- tavson. She is survived by Wilho Sarri, her ily moved to Wilho’s hometown of Naselle, beloved husband of 59 years; two children and Washington, which they made their permanent their spouses, Riki Saari and his wife, Jill, and residence. Until her retirement from Naselle Karen Nelson and her husband, Greg; six grand- High School in 1995, Kaisa was a well-loved, children, Kyle, Kirsten and Kenny Saari and fun-spirited foreign language teacher of Span- Kelsi, Karli and Kayti Nelson; her sister and ish, German and Finnish. brother, Kirsti Mustonen and Kari Kankkunen Kaisa was a consistent presence in the of Finland; and numerous nieces and nephews. Naselle community. She and Wilho could Services will be held Saturday, April 8, at 1 always be spotted in the crowd at school sport- p.m. at Naselle Assembly of God. ing events and performances. They seemed to Arrangements are being provided by Pentti- serve as unofficial community grandparents, la’s Chapel By the Sea, and her guest book is with residents of all ages referring to them as available at www.penttilaschapel.com Doug Heiner Ocean Park, Washington Oct. 19, 1941 — April 1, 2017 Doug Heiner, age 75, of Ocean Park, Washington, went on his final drift with the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017, and is no longer in pain. Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Bernice Heiner, and his sister, Kathy Zilmer, all of Altoona, Washington. Survivors include his sons, Scott Heiner of Montesano, Washington, Dale Heiner of Cathlamet, Washing- Doug Heiner ton, Doug Heiner of Naselle, Wash- ington, Dave Heiner of Aromas, Cal- ifornia, Will Heiner serving in the Army at he spent Tomah, Wisconsin, and Rick Heiner of Pasco, together. Washington. He is also survived by two nieces, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Doug graduated from Naselle High School in 1960, and served four years in the U.S. Navy. He was a logger and gillnetter throughout his working years, and was a loving father and loyal friend to many. Doug did not want a memorial service, so anyone wishing to get closure in his passing, just look upon the mighty Columbia River, where his life, and reflect on your times Astoria assault suspect Opponents of short-term rental rules fault Gearhart jumps into Columbia Birrell ran from police officers Claim city clouded their ballot proposal By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Astoria Police’s pursuit of an assault suspect Wednesday night ended in the Columbia River. Police attempted to arrest Ian Travis Birrell, 35, of Asto- ria, for an alleged assault at on the 100 Block of Flavel Street early Wednesday morning. Birrell had fled prior to offi- cers’ arrival, and a woman was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital. Police were notified just before 7 p.m. that Birrell would be meeting some- one on Bond Street between Second and Third streets. But when officers arrived and attempted to arrest Bir- rell, he ran toward the river and then west on the Astoria Riverwalk. He then leaped into the river when an officer attempted to cut him off. Soon after, Columbia River Pilots pulled Birrell from the water and returned him to shore. He was then treated at Columbia Memorial Hospital. After his release from the hospital, Birrell was arrested By R.J. MARX The Daily Astorian Elizabeth Hayes/Submitted Photo An Astoria man wanted for assault fled police and jumped into the Columbia River Wednesday. for fourth-degree assault, strangulation, third-degree escape and second-degree dis- orderly conduct. Dentist hit with environmental fine The Daily Astorian WARRENTON — The state Department of Envi- ronmental Quality has issued a $12,078 civil pen- alty to Dr. Roman Alexan- droff for failing to imple- ment an erosion and Clatsop Post 12 Seafood Platter Cod, Shrimp, Oysters, Clam & Salmon Chowder, Potatoes, Coleslaw & Garlic Bread Friday April 7 th sediment control plan at the construction site for Alex- androff Dentistry. Alex- Featuring boys and girls high school teams from throughout the Columbia-Pacifi c region androff’s stormwater dis- charge permit requires a plan at the Ensign Lane site. GEARHART — City officials misrepresented the meaning of a bal- lot proposal to repeal and replace Gearhart’s vaca- tion rental dwelling ordi- nance, an initiative orga- nizer said Wednesday. Gearhart vacation homeowner Jim Whitte- more said the city’s ballot title summary was prepared without input or review by those who wrote it and does not reflect the pur- pose and intent of the ini- tiative petition, a response to short-term rental rules enacted last fall. The petition was authored by a large com- mittee of Gearhart prop- erty owners, including the three sponsors, Sarah Nebeker and Joy and Brian Sigler, Whittemore said. According to the docu- ment submitted to the city, the initiative’s purpose and intent “is to assure that the interests of vacation homeowners and perma- nent residents remain in a sustainable balance that is good for the community, that every property own- er’s rights are fairly pro- tected and that no prop- erty owner is economically 29 D harmed by excessive rules summary, the proposed ini- and regulations.” tiative would “eliminate off- The 2 1/2-page petition street parking, residential offered 15 rules for short- appearance and garbage ser- term vacation rent- vice requirements.” als, including owner “We are not elim- inating parking, contact details, trans- ferability, occupancy appearance or gar- and health and safety bage service require- details, among others. ments,” Whittemore The city’s sum- said. mary of the document Other areas of dif- was issued in a city Peter Watts ference run through- blog post. The full out the summary, initiative petition was he said, including not posted. inspection issues, per- “The city misrep- mit caps and a pro- resented (what) was posed public vote on the essence of our future vacation rental initiative petition,” ordinances. Whittemore said. “There is an obvi- “The summary was ous appeal procedure written by (Gearhart that (the) group may Jim City Attorney) Peter Whittemore take if they feel this Watts and clearly is not accurate,” City seeks to misguide and misin- Administrator Chad Sweet form the public.” said. Watts did not respond to a This includes an opportu- request for comment. nity to appeal the draft ballot Discrepancies between summary within seven days. the summary and the docu- “We will challenge and our ment can be found in details attorneys are preparing that throughout, Whittemore said. challenge now,” Whittemore According to the city’s said. 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