Frances Penttila

Frances Marie Penttila passed away at home just before dawn on May 24, 2023. Francy was born in Astoria, Oregon on December 11, 1926 to Eva (Alanen) Nelson and Gunnar Nelson. She came to Deep River by river, aboard “The General Washington” to the “Deep River Hotel” with her parents until their journey the next day to the logging camp at Toonerville. Francy is perhaps the last former resident to have lived there.

The family later moved to their family farm in Salmon Creek and she was joined by a brother Roy and a sister Betty. Francy attended Maple Grove elementary school in Salmon Creek. Upon graduation from Naselle High School in 1945, Francy drove school bus on Salmon Creek Rd., was employed at the Altoona Cannery and the Lower Columbia Coop Creamery in Grays River. She married her high school sweetheart Millard Penttila in December of 1946. They had three children, Norm, Gayle and Francis.

Francy was the bookkeeper at their family business, L&M Garage. Later she was employed by WWest as a telephone operator. Francy was a member of Naselle Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was on the church council, serving as financial secretary and active in Priscilla Circle. Francy loved to bake, her cardamom bread a favorite for many. She enjoyed being outdoors, picking berries, digging clams, gardening and mowing her huge yard.

Francy is survived by her son, Norm Penttila, daughter, Gayle (Steve) Gacke, grandchildren, Bryan (Jen) Penttila, Blair (Lance) Gray, Mark Gacke, Wendy (Gene) Anderson and great granddaughters Delaney Gray, McKenna and Taryn Anderson, her first cousin, Don Alanen and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Millard, infant son Francis, daughter-in-law Carol, brother Roy (Delores) Nelson, sister Betty (Leonard) Vaughn.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 17th at 1:00 at the Naselle Lutheran Church with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions can be made to Naselle Lutheran Church or Peaceful Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements have been made by Penttila’s Chapel By the Sea Funeral Home. http://www.penttilaschapel.com.

- Paid Obituary -