Obituary: Ardelle Elaine Tallman 1924-2012

Ardelle Elaine Tallman

Ardelle Elaine (Dohlen) Tallman passed away peacefully in Lake Forest Park on Sunday June 10, 2012. She was born to Hjalmar Olaus and Agnes Leova (McInerney) Dohlen on June 3rd 1924 in Opheim, Montana and taught for years at Lynnwood High School. After her marriage to James Shepard Tallman in 1948 she lived continuously in present-day Shoreline, Washington – most recently in Richmond Beach.

She attended Northern Montana State after high school, becoming a medical secretary and moving to Seattle to work during WWII.  She had many memories of old-time Seattle luminaries, dancing with the troops at the USO and later at the old Trianon Ballroom in Belltown. 

In 1947 she graduated with honors from the University of Washington in Psychology.  When her two children, Tracy and Roger, were older she returned to the University of Washington and got her teaching certificate having a long career with the Edmonds School District mostly at Lynnwood High School where she taught business education just as computers were coming on the scene.  She later got her Master’s in Education.

But she never lost touch with her hometown and the farm life, returning to Opheim nearly every year to visit with relatives there and attend school reunions.  Many of her classmates moved to the Seattle area and remained life-long friends.  She and her sister still own the land that her mother homesteaded in Nashua, Montana in the early 1900s and the Opheim farm where she was raised is still owned and operated by family.

She was preceded in death by her husband James in 2008, her brother Ormand in 1998 and her brother Erling in 2009.  She is survived by her life-long friend and loving sister Corrine Jordan and her husband John.  Brother Ronnie lives in Sacramento, California.  Also surviving her are her two children and two nieces – Linda Brand and her husband Dan and Katie Jordan and husband Glenn Klute.  She also has cousins, nieces and nephews throughout Montana.

She was an intelligent, feisty, loving and classy woman.  She enjoyed traveling - from early family camping trips and on to Europe, Australia and China and other places in later years, often with her sister Corrine and brother-in-law John or her fellow teachers and sometimes with James (who would rather stay home).  She loved accounting, reading, ice cream and entertaining - always maintaining a meticulous house.  She and James built their last home in Richmond Beach where she lived until January.  Looking over old photographs she often has a camera in her hand and there will be many memories to share at her memorial.  She was late to nearly every appointment, having too many things to do before she arrived.

A special thanks to her dear friend Joan Spencer who wrote her many notes as she became ill expecting no response.  They warmed her heart.

Since she loved to entertain we’ll be having a service and party for her at the Nile Shrine Golf Center on Monday June 18th in the Gold Room from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. with food and wine.  In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.  Entrance to the Gold Room is through the side door near the handicapped parking stalls.

Nile is located at 6601-244th St SW in Mountlake Terrace which borders I-5.  Entrance off westbound 205th .  See Beck's Funeral Home for up-to-date information and to share memories.