Gwendolyn Harriet Mathilda Wettre Solum went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014.
Born to Stanley and Gerda Wettre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, March 26, 1925, she grew up speaking Norwegian as her first language.
Her childhood years were spent on the family farm in Asker and in the towns of Ponoka, Alberta and Haney, British Columbia. After high school, she attended Edmonton General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1948.
She traveled with friends to the great state of Texas in 1952, later moving to San Diego, where she met and married the love of her life, her “Sailor Man,” Floyd K. Solum.
Married in 1957, she lived through several moves and deployments, including a two-year tour in San Miguel, Republic of the Philippines.
She returned and settled in Oak Harbor in 1968 after Floyd retired from the U.S. Navy as a Master Chief Radioman.
Gwen was an active member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, with the altar guild holding a special place in her heart.
After her active nursing days, she was appointed and enrolled as an American Red Cross Nurse and volunteer first-aid instructor.
She led a Girl Scout troop, taught Sunday school, volunteered in the classroom and school library, played the organ for various churches and was a member of several organizations, including Ladies Fleet Reserve Auxiliary and Chief Petty Officers’ Wives Club. Gwen worked as a civil servant at The Naval Hospital NAS Whidbey Island for 10 years after her children graduated high school.
Gwen is survived by her eldest son, Matthew Solum, Lt. Col. WA ANG Ret. and current Delta Airlines pilot, and daughter-in-law Dianne Solum of Spokane; daughter Janice Wynn, CAPT, USN Ret., and son-in-law Rick of New Braunfels, Texas; youngest son, Benjamin Solum, COL, USA, and daughter-in-law Sue Solum of Platte City, Mo.; granddaughters Kristi Solum of Monahans, Texas, and Nicole Solum of Winona, Minn. Also left to mourn her passing are numerous other family members throughout Canada and the United States. Her husband Floyd passed away in 2009.
Known for her lovely laugh and adventurous spirit, she loved to travel with her husband, often visiting family and friends. They were active timeshare vacationers, daytrippers, two-steppers, explorers and tourists. Much of their retirement time was spent attending ship reunions and Fleet Reserve functions. Gwen moved to Spokane in April of this year to be closer to family. She led a full life and will be missed by all who knew her.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, followed by a reception at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. To view Gwen’s online memorial, sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family, please visit www.hennesseyfuneral homes.com
