Obituary of Vernon Virgil Guttu

VERNON V. GUTTU Vernon V. Guttu passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2009, of Camas, Washington. He was 85 years old. Born in Bottineau, North Dakota, he was the 9th child of Olaf and Serina Berge Guttu. He graduated from Omemee High School in 1942. Soon after graduation, he moved to Camas when a lot of his family had migrated to Washington. In 1947, he met Elva Edwards at Johnson's barn dance, and they were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas on May 19, 1950. Employed for Crown Zellerbach for 39 years and 5 months, he retired in 1986. He liked old cars and had a passion for basketball. He enjoyed watching the Portland Trailblazers, college and girl's basketball. He never forgot where he grew up and kept in touch with many friends that he knew in Omemee, North Dakota. You can take the man out of North Dakota, but you can't take North Dakota out of the man. Vernon will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Elva Edwards Guttu; daughters, Karen Gary Tortorello of Vancouver and Donna M. John Rankins of Camas; three grandchildren, Kristin Tortorello of Vancouver, Jennifer Friedrichsen-Coles DJ Coles of Washougal and Scott Friedrichsen of Camas; great-granddaughter, Emma Mae Friedrichsen-Coles of Washougal; and brother, Howard Guttu of Antioch, California. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; seven brothers and sisters; and granddaughter, Kelsey Tortorello, in 2000. A viewing will be held at Straub's Funeral Home, 325 NE Third Ave, Camas on Thursday, February 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 824 NE 4th Ave., Camas. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Vernon Guttu may be made to the Bottineau County Historical Society, 1093 Hwy 5 NE, Bottineau, North Dakota 58318, or to Zion Lutheran Church in Camas. To send condolences or sign the online guest book, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.