Ole passed away March 12, 2024, in Irondale, surrounded by family. He battled cancer as well as other multiple health issues since 2003.
The “mayor of Irondale” was born at home on 7th Ave. in Irondale on April 22, 1934, to Bertie Allen and Leora (Howe) Kilmer. He was proud to live his entire life 5 blocks from the house in which he was born. Ole always said he was the “perfect 10” of eleven siblings. The outdoors was his preferred venue. He spent as much time as possible hunting, clamming, fishing, and crabbing, even when he had to ride his lawnmower to the beach – now known as Irondale Park.
As a young man, Ole was an athlete and played sports in school. Then he continued to play Old Timers’ baseball as well as golf. As a parent, and a community involved person, he made sure all the neighborhood kids got to practice and he never missed one of the children’s games whether at home or away. He was an avid UW Husky fan and watched them play both in person and on TV. He loved watching classic Western films and reading Louis L’Amour. Ole went camping to Kalaloch every summer where he loved to fish for smelt and play cribbage. He traveled to Arizona and Mexico in the winter for several years to enjoy the warm weather and open-air markets.
Ole never met a stranger that he wasn’t willing to help, and he enjoyed sharing his knowledge about the Irondale area. He would also give seafood to everyone, whether he knew them or not.
Ole started working as a young adult logging with his father and brothers. They worked around National, Ashford, and the Mt. Rainier area in the summer. After it was too hot to be in the woods, he’d go to pick fruit in Eastern Washington with the family.
Later he worked at Crown Zellerbach for short periods of time before working on Indian Island. Most of his working career was spent sawing cedar shakes for Gene Seton and then buying the shake mill, calling it K&H with his brother-in-law Harold Hammer. After retiring from the shake mill, he worked for Halco and Shold’s.
Ole married Claudia Jones in 1954 and they had five children: Scott (Debbie), Gayle (Alan Keith), Elizabeth (Gene Yantz), William (Joann), Matthew (Sherri). They divorced and he later married Leonore (Maggie) Brown. She brought her children Gordy and Dena (Gordon Rowe) into the household.
Ole is survived by his wife Maggie, and his children: Scott, Gayle, Elizabeth (Beth), William (Bill) and Matthew (Matt) and Stepchildren; Gordy and Dena. He leaves fourteen grandchildren: Joe, Ben, Annie, Travis Allen, Joni, Anthony (Shane), Heather, Travis William, Chad, Andy, Matt Jr., Kassaundra (Kassi), Jerid and Alanna. Twenty-Five great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. And his siblings: Elsie Lopeman, Andrew Kilmer, and Karen Hammer.
Karen wrote in his memory:
“Remembering when you were a little kid And all the crazy things you did; Playing in the mud with your best friend Warren, But you called him “Bud”. Playing on the beach and crawling over the logs – You couldn’t swim but you didn’t care. If someone said, “No”- it wasn’t fair!”
Ole wished to be cremated and his ashes interred in the Shine Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Mitch Black Scholarship at Chimacum High School or any No- Kill Animal Shelter.
The family is grateful for all the kindness and care received from the medical personnel. Friends and family may share memories of Ole and sign on the online guestbook at www.bradley-kosec.com
