Neva Bolen

Arlie Neva West was born Sept. 18, 1922, in the family home at Mountain View Ranch on Sinclair Creek, the daughter of William and Lucy (Frost) West.

She attended Glen Lake Elementary School and graduated in 1941 from Lincoln County High School in Eureka.

In her early years, Neva worked at the Eureka Creamery, Eureka Drug, Lincoln County Courthouse in the assessor’s office and then for the Boeing Aircraft Co. in Seattle for a time during World War II.  She was a “Rosy Riveter” on Boeing aircraft.

In 1946 she married George Bolen, and they raised two children, Marlene and Ernie, on their acreage just south of Eureka on Highway 93.  George and Neva were known for their beautiful yard full of flowers, which evolved into a greenhouse business they operated for many years.

Her hobbies included crocheting, playing the organ, and baking.  She will be remembered for making many birthday, wedding, and other special occasion cakes.

Neva was a charter member of the Tobacco Valley Grange No. 119 and received her 50 year membership pin in 1989.  She served as home ec chairman, secretary, and other various offices in the grange.

She was instrumental in the establishment of Mountain View Manor and served as secretary of the board for many years.

Neva was secretary and manager of the Lincoln County Fair for 30 years and worked before that from the time the Grange started it.  She retired from fair work June 30, 1993.

She also was employed by the Glen Lake Irrigation District as secretary, starting in 1979.  She retired from there in October 2003 after 24 years of service.

In 1982 Neva received the Eureka Hall of Fame award for her many years of public service.  She was a very caring person and spent many hours helping others.

Neva passed away July 17, 2013, at Mountain View Manor, just two months shy of her 91st birthday.   She was the last remaining member of William and Lucy West’s family.

Survivors are her daughter, Marlene Leonard, son Ernie Bolen and wife Toni;  grandsons Shane Patrick and wife Shannon of Bonney Lake, Wash.; Shawn Patrick and wife Marchelle of Issaquah, Wash.; granddaughter Carrie Clark and husband Brian of Spanaway, Wash.; great grandsons Dylan Patrick and wife Barbara, Dalton Patrick, Colin Patrick, and Landon Clark; great granddaughter Kate Patrick; step grandson and family, Jon, Karyn, Austin and Michelle Leonard of Eureka, and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were July 22 at the First Baptist Church in Eureka.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.