A Marine Is Called The "Barracks In The Sky"

:marine:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/p...132&Selected=6

Louise Lois Rodosovich peacefully slipped into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Feb. 27, 2005, just days after her 85th birthday. Life was an exciting and joyful adventure for Lou, who came into the world on Feb. 22, 1920. Born to hard-working Croatian immigrants, she was raised on a farm near the Skagit River in Sedro-Woolley, Wash.

Mom had a strong work ethic and even postponed her marriage a few weeks so she could help Grandpa bring in the hay. Mom loved all kinds of music and had fond memories of being in her high school glee club and making trips to Seattle with her classmates to see plays and musicals. She loved to dance and had plenty of beaus to oblige her.

After high school, Mom had various jobs in Seattle. She worked in a defense plant and, later, proudly served her country in the Marine Corps. She met Dad on the Marine base at EI Toro, Calif. He'd heard about the Marine with a similar last name (her maiden name was Radosevich), so he looked her up and the rest was history. They married after the war and settled in Edmonds, Wash., and then Seattle. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1951.

Mom worked for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance for five years after she was married and enjoyed saying that, when she left, the company hired two people to replace her. She later became a part-time school lunchroom cook so she could spend more time with her daughter.

In retirement, Mom satisfied her curiosity about the world through travels to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, and the Panama Canal. She was ready to travel on a moment's notice, and when she couldn't get out much anymore, she enjoyed watching travelogues on public television. Mom was enthusiastic about family, mends, food, and fun. Her heart and mind were always open to new people and possibilities. She always looked on the bright side of things and found ways to turn problems into opportunities. Like the time her niece couldn't find her rolling pin to make pastry, so Mom suggested they use a bottle of wine to roll out the dough and then they drank it when the job was done! Mom's love of shopping was surpassed only by her daughter's, so it was fitting that their last outing together was to a department store sale. When her health began failing, Mom came to live with Elizabeth and her husband in Boise. They were honored to have the privilege of caring for Lou, whose optimism and indomitable spirit were an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Mom leaves behind her loving daughter, Elizabeth Rodosovich, and son-in-law Doug Borah of Boise; husband, Eli Michael Rodosovich, of Seattle; brother, Tony Radosevich, of Sedro-Woolley; nieces Barbara Van Oeveren (Fall City, Wash.) and Maryanne Bachert (Edmonds, Wash.) and their families; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her terribly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Helen Radosevich, and sisters Helen Evanson, Agnes Starkovich, and Mary Brozovich. Cremation is under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home. No services are planned in Boise, but a celebration of Mom's life will be held in Seattle in the spring. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity or veterans organization. In Mom's memory, please listen to a favorite song, enjoy a good meal, or best of all, hug someone you love.

Mom's legacy can be summed up in this prayer of St. Francis, which she carried in her purse since World War II: ~ "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred. . . let me sow love Where there is injury. . . pardon Where there is doubt. . . faith Where there is despair. . . hope Where there is darkness. . .light Where there is sadness.. .joy. 0 Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled...as to console, To be understood. . . as to understand, To be loved. ..as to love. for It is in giving. . . that we receive, It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned, It is in dying... that we are born to eternal life."

RIP MARINE

SEMPER FI
books :marine: