Carol Louise Arends

Carol L. Arends, 83, of Bremerton, died early April 13 at her residence, just three weeks short of the seventh anniversary of her diagnosis with late stage ovarian cancer.

Viewing is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Rill Chapel, Port Orchard. A funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside. A graveside ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, at Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater, Wash.

Mrs. Arends served from 1998-2013 as a member of the Bremerton City Council, including three years as its president (2000, 2002 and 2003). In those years, the council considered and approved several of the projects -- including the Conference Center -- that contributed to the rebuilding of downtown Bremerton. An article about Mrs. Arends' council career was published in the Kitsap Sun April 14 ( www.kitsapsun.com ).

Mrs. Arends was born to Esther and Jens Ellingson in Harlow, N.D., on Aug. 21, 1932. Within a year, she moved with her parents to Tenino, Wash., where she grew up, graduating second in her class at Tenino High School in 1950. After attending business college, she went to work for what is now the Department of Natural Resources. While there she met her husband, John H. Arends, a Tumwater storekeeper she married on Feb. 12, 1956. They had two sons, Jack and Jens.

In 1970, the family moved to Bremerton after John was hired as business manager of what became the Frances Haddon Morgan Center, where he worked until his retirement in 1980. In 1983, John died after a diagnosis of multiple myeloma; he was preceded in death by his younger son, Jens, who was killed in a 1972 auto accident.

Mrs. Arends was involved in many activities through Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, where she was a member. She also served on advisory committees for the city of Bremerton, and in 1997, when Councilmember Sherril Huff announced she would not seek re-election, she and Councilmember Carlos "Monty" Montgomery asked Mrs. Arends to seek office. Mrs. Arends filed, but was unopposed; four years later she won a second term against two opponents. In 2005 she was again unopposed. In 2009, after her cancer diagnosis, she decided to run again, defeating one opponent in the general election.

Mrs. Arends is survived by her elder son, Jack, of Everett, Wash.; her sister, Margaret (and Gerald) Dagle, of Richland, Wash.; one niece; two nephews; and three grand-nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Franciscan Hospice Services, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the World Mission Prayer League or a charity of choice.

The world has lost a beautiful soul......