Obituary of Ethel Phyllis Anker

Ethel Phyllis Olson was born at home to Elmer and Elsie Olson of Key Center on December 2, 1924. She died on June 29, 2006, at the home of her daughter Marcia Michaelson, following a valiant fight against cancer. As a child, Phyllis helped her parents on their farm, which had the only chick hatchery around. She learned to pack eggs, milk cows, and do other farm chores, but also enjoyed country living with her four siblings and numerous cousins and friends. She went to Glencove School through 8th grade, graduated from Vaughn Union High School as Salutatorian, and attended the University of Washington for a year prior to her marriage in 1943 to Harry Anker. In 1946, Phyllis and Harry started the Key Center Café in her parents’ huckleberry shed, which is now The Huckleberry Inn. She was an avid Mariners fan, loved to garden, read, travel, and spent time each winter in Arizona. Family and friends were important to Phyllis, and she hosted many family reunions and other gatherings at her beach-front home. She was a charter member of Vaughn Community Church, and of Historic Vaughn Bay Church, held offices in Vaughn PTA, Vaughn Bay Garden Club, and Key Peninsula Health and Professional Board. She belonged to Vaughn Bay Cemetery Association, Key Peninsula Historic Society, and Peninsula Rhododendron Society. Phyllis is survived by sons Harry Anker, David (Janet) Anker, Donald Anker, and daughter Marcia (Ric) Michaelson, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Don (Shirl) Olson, two sisters, Joyce Niemann and Gail Sparks. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Anker, her parents, and brother Edmund Olson. The family would like to thank care givers Becky and Martha for the daily care they provided. We would also like to thank Multicare Hospice (Sharon, Mary, Becca, and Regina) for the care they provided. Graveside services will be held at Vaughn Bay Cemetery on Saturday, July 8, at 1:00 PM. Memorials may be sent to Multi-care Hospice, PO Box 5299, Tacoma, WA 98415-0299, Historic Vaughn Bay Church, P.O. Box 1074, Port Orchard, WA 98366, Key Peninsula Historical Society, P.O. box 577, Vaughn, WA 98394, Vaughn Bay Cemetery Association, 15820 Olson Rd. KPN, Lakebay, WA 98394. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008.