Lucille “Jill” Klutsenbaker passed into eternal life on June 25, 2009 at her home in Oak Harbor, with loved ones by her side. She was born to George Francis and Maude Estell Hammett in Kansas City, Missouri on June 10, 1911. As a young girl of only 12, she was recognized in Kansas City and St. Joseph as a very fine artist. She was given a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute upon receiving her graduation diploma from high school. She kept two of her original paintings until the very last, one being the noted “Girl By The Fountain,” which she painted around the age of 12 or 13.

After her children were raised and while living in the Napa Valley and Northern California areas, she sold several paintings and was commissioned for seven very large murals. Eventually she became an interior designer and lived in Hollywood. She became associated with motion pictures in various capacities, and played a small roll in “This Earth Is Mine” with Rock Hudson. Jill had friends from the art worlds of Great Britain and other parts of Europe.

In July 1972, she married Dale Klutsenbaker. They were assigned to several states in the USA, including Florida, Maryland, California, Pennsylvania and Washington, before Dale retired from Lockheed Aircraft Co. They retired in Oak Harbor in September of 1983 after living here since 1974. During this time, Jill was a member of the Whidbey Island Artist Association. They enjoyed their motor home on many short trips and three longer six month ones, including two around America and one to Mexico, down as far as Puerto Vallarta, across to Cabo San Lucas, and up Baja to San Diego, California and home to Oak Harbor. She and Dale enjoyed traveling to several locations, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, Port Rico, Alaska, and cruises to different places.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Bernice “Bunny” Graham.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years; brother George Hammett of Coupeville; sons Charles “Bud” Holbrook and wife Jean, Frank Holbrook and wife Bobbi, and Harwood Lee “Harlee” Holbrook; stepsons David Klutsenbaker and wife Shirley of Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., and Curtis Klutsenbaker of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter Robyn Lebron and husband Robert of Waunakee, Wisc.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one great great-grandson, born just a few days before Jill’s 98th birthday.

The family also wishes to acknowledge Ana Isabel Shelton, a friend and caregiver to the family for almost 20 years.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Burley Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, June 30, from 1 to 8 p.m. A graveside funeral service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Wednesday, July 1, at 1:15 p.m. Memorials have been suggested to USO. Condolences may be left for the family at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.

Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor has been entrusted with arrangements.