School & Community News

Lonnie Hjelm - Class of 1957

Lonnie Dean Hjelm passed away Friday, June 19, 2015 at his home of 50 years in Issaquah He was born in Shelley, Idaho September 7, 1939, the eighth child of George Carl Hjelm and Vara Ruth (Carter) Hjelm. The family moved to Issaquah in 1944 when George went to work for Boeing Co. Lonnie began the first grade here in Issaquah and continued through his sophmore year when the family moved back to Shelley because of his Dad's health problems. He finished high school in Shelley.

Lonnie married Linda Adair Cedarholm in 1963 in Issaquah. Two children graced the small family, Jeff and Marcia, and the young couple built their home on her Grandfather's property five years later.

Lonnie was skilled in many areas and worked at a variety of jobs from bulldozer operator, truck driver, construction, sheet metal operator, at one time working on a secret project for the government. He also worked on the North Slope for three years. The knowledge gained from all these industries paid off when he bought out the power equipment and repair portion of the Grange Supply and became Lonnie's Power Equipment Repair.. That began a 25 year challenge of repairing just about any piece of power equipment in existence. The ''lawnmower man'' yard art, created by Denny Croston, became his signature. Some widows in town discovered how sneaky he could be when their lawn mowers would disappear and several days later, be back in place, all spiffed up for the year. And those darned invoices just seemed to disappear!

Lonnie loved to tease, and tell stories and he gave everybody nicknames . The nicknames were not necesarily complementary but they were given with love.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, Linda, of 52 years, his children Jeff Hjelm of Elk, WA., Teresa DuBois of Tenino, WA, and Marcia Yager of Puyallup; six grandchildren, Adrienne, Kyle, Courtney, Nicki, Jessica and Rachel, and four great-grandchildren plus a fifth, Tempe, who will arrive later this year, sisters Rosula, Mary, and Hope of Idaho, brothers Terry and Carter (Punk) of Shelley, ID, brother Clarence (Chirp) of Superior, Mt and sister, Kathy, of Riverside, CA

A graveside memorial service will be held July 8, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Hillside Cemetery. Following the service, there will be a gathering for family and friends. Please visit Flintoft's web site or contact Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral home (425) 392-6444 for location.

Linda