Carol Jensen

Carol Jensen, 72, passed away on May 25, 2017 at her home in Seattle, WA. She was the oldest of six children born on September 7, 1944 in Seattle, WA to Albert and Aline Blount Dreke. Carol grew up in Bothell, WA and graduated from Bothell High School in 1962. After high school, she began working as a bookkeeper and had successful careers in multiple fields including broadcast sales for KING Broadcasting and real estate with John L Scott. Her final professional role circled back to bookkeeping with Teletron where she retired and quickly filled her calendar with much loved social engagements.

Carol was a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League. She enjoyed playing bridge, both party bridge and sanctioned games. Bridge was enjoyed so much that dear friends came to play at her house even while in Hospice care. Carol was a devoted grandmother. She attended grandkids music concerts, both indoor and outdoor soccer, baseball and football games. These activities would frequently take her hours of travel time, multiple times per week. Carol loved watching sports of all kinds. This included annual Bowl game competitions with her son-in-law whereby the loser had to cook a meal of winner’s choice! Another one of her favorite pastimes was to travel. Most of Carol’s travel was in the Pacific Northwest and included renting family cabins on a lake, adventures with friends including Oregon Coast and North Cascades Loop, and day adventures with the grandkids. Carol treasured her relationships and loved to engage in friendly discussion and debates around politics and current events.

Carol was preceded in death by her father Albert Dreke, mother Aline Dreke, and sister Annette Burke. Carol is survived by her daughters Julie (Edrick) Weathers of Lakewood, WA, Laurie (Enrique) Castillo of Kent, WA, and Vanessa Burke of Seattle, WA; her sisters Joan Smith of Buckeye, AZ, Donna Casey of Lynnwood, WA, Lynn Wopperer of Everett, WA, and brother Allen Dreke of Lynnwood, WA; grandchildren Edrick and Natalie Weathers.

A Celebration of Life will be held at UW Botanic Gardens Wisteria Hall 2300 Arboretum Dr E Seattle, 98112 on Sunday June 11th from 11am-1pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Swedish Cancer Institute Fund at the Swedish Medical Center Foundation by mail to 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 or call (206) 386-2765.

Comments

What an incredible presence and contributor Carol was around a bridge table, or dinner table, or sporting event. She was always so eager to help, instruct, encourage, or just be there as a friend. I'll miss that double take she would give you when you made a wrong bid playing cards. I wish we would have had many more Bridge retreats. It was great seeing her revel in the joys of her family when they were all down in Palm Springs this Spring. Carol, I already miss you too much.

David Farrar

I came late to the party that was Bridge With Carol. I only met 4 years ago. But what a wonderfully long suffering person she was. Especially when I came to realize that the "rules" of the game were updated since I learned to play the game and last played. There were lots of indications that there are New Rules and I had already had them explained to me. In most cases more than once. Old Dog, New Trick thing for me but she was patient and fearless (to my eyes) and a lovely, spirited person. Dear Carol, find my mom. She will be sitting somewhere near the 19th Hole. Swapping stories, laughing and probably playing some golf and bridge. She will find a chair for you. But fair warning, mom only knew the old rules. Save a chair for all of us. See you one fair day. "Let me see your cards".

Joe Belcher

Such a shock to find out Carol had passed! My childhood memories were of Carol In her youth : a big smile and cute personality. She was my second cousin: her Grandma Blount was my Aunt. My heartfelt sympathy to the family for the loss of this beautiful woman. Irene Hatfield Howard Rainier, Washington

Irene Howard

I love and miss my Mom so much. I hope we have a nice tribute to her this weekend.

Laurie Castillo

Although, as an adult, I did not see my cousin very often I have fond memories of her as a child. I am saddened by her death and send heartfelt sympathy to her siblings, children and grandchildren. My thoughts will be with you all this Sunday.

Alton L. Dreke