Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Erika Nehren

OLYMPIA — Erika Nehren, a 34-year resident of Olympia, died of cancer Dec. 4, 2023, at home. She was 82.

Born Dec. 24, 1940, in Betzhorn, Wartegau, Germany, she and her family fled their home in what is now Poland during World War II to escape the advancing Russian front. They traveled across war-torn Germany and found passage on the M.S. Anna Salen to Canada, where she and her family worked in the sugar beet fields of southern Alberta throughout her childhood. 

She married Horst Josef Nehren on July 12, 1958. They moved to Washington from Canada in 1962.

She worked as a clerk at the Hop-In and as a waitress at the Space Needle, Geno’s and the Red Lion.

A member of Sacred Heart Parish in Lacey since 1968, she previously a parishioner at St. Anthony Parish in Renton. She was involved in Bible Study Fellowship in the 1970s and ’80s and was known for her unwavering faith. She loved helping her neighbors, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking care of her husband and reading the Bible. In her younger years, she played ping-pong and basketball. She was great at math.

She is survived by her husband, Horst; sons Bob (Caroline), Ron (Veronica) and David (Lisa); daughter Leslie (Allen); siblings Anne, Trudy, Rosi, Helen and Hans; 25 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 18 at Sacred Heart Church in Lacey. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way.

Charles Bradley Jr.

SHORELINE — Charles “Chuck” Bradley Jr., a resident of Seattle for more than 40 years, died Dec. 5, 2023, in Shoreline. He was 86.

He was born Nov. 28, 1937, to Charles Bradley Sr. and Helen Teale in in Providence, Rhode Island. He earned a master’s degree and served in the U.S. Navy. He married Amanda Caliwag in 1997.

After serving in the Navy, he worked for the Seattle Public Library until he retired. He also played the oboe professionally.

A member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Seattle, he devoted his time to his family and church activities. He enjoyed giving back to the community through volunteer work and donating to those in need.

In addition to his parish involvement, he was passionate about music and enjoyed traveling.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Amanda. He is survived by his sister Fadhilla; stepchildren Eduardo Jr., Elaine (Charlie Jr.) and Edman; and grandchildren Charlie III, Elyssia and Jaron.

A rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 28 at Blessed Sacrament Church, with a funeral Mass following at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.

Florence O’Donnell

SAMMAMISH — Florence E. O’Donnell, a 63-year resident of West Seattle, died Dec. 7, 2023, in Sammamish. She was 106.

Born Aug. 10, 1917, in Barons, Alberta, Canada, to Florence and John Turner, she graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane in 1941. 

She married Michael C. O’Donnell on Jan. 24, 1944, and after the war, they made the home in Seattle, eventually settling in West Seattle. 

She worked as a registered nurse at West Seattle Community Hospital and was the emergency room supervisor, retiring in 1973.

She was a longtime member of Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle, participating in the Sacred Heart Society and various volunteer groups. She served on the board of the United Cerebral Palsy Society in Seattle. Known for her love, humor and strength, she enjoyed sewing, gardening, golf and fishing.

She was preceded in death by her husband Michael. She is survived by son Daniel (Sharron) O’Donnell and daughter Patricia O’Donnell; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

A funeral Mass was held Dec. 11 at Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Sammamish, with interment at Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way.

As a free service to the Catholic community, Northwest Catholic posts online the obituaries of Catholics whose funerals are held in parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle or at Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese. Submit an obituary here.