Many of you know our mother from her work at the school, first in the lunchroom and then as a custodian. Mom really had a heart for the children, providing shoes and jackets for the foster kids. And when she saw kids at school without lunch money, well, she didn’t let them go hungry. Mom really lived out, as much as you do for one of these little ones.

Others of you know our mother simply because she lived here her entire life in Forks, and has many memories.

Mom enjoyed TV shows that reminded her of the early years, with wooden sidewalks and wild times. As a little kid they would sneak down near the back door of the taverns and watch the drunks being thrown out great entertainment.

Some of the memories that made us laugh the most were about the bears. The one when they were picking blackberries and her friend was talking away as if mom was just on the other side of the log until she came to the end of the log face to face with the bear. The berries flew.

Another one about picking apples, not noticing the bear, until the apples were being knocked loose above her. Mom says they both hit the ground, and took off in opposite directions.

Most of you know our mom by her nickname, Babe. Before starting first grade that was the only name she knew she had. When the teacher was asking for Louise and mom didn’t answer, well Mom and school got off to a bad start. Maybe that’s part of why she never was fond of school. Mom says, halfway through the first day she got up, got her coat, and went home. Having been sent back to school, there were stories, like putting the snake in the teacher’s desk drawer. There was a day when mom told her mother she wasn’t going to school. Her mother said, yes you are. Mom was standing at the back door watching the fire of 51 bounce across the hills. They put out the embers landing on the roof until they had to leave. The men took over and saved their home on Nelson Rd. Mom was always grateful to them.

Louise (Babe) Iverson was born to Leonora and Bill Iverson on March 25, 1936.

While growing up, Mom preferred playing outside, rather than inside.

She tells the story about the railroad hand truck and the trestle over the river. Having been told they could play with the hand truck, but don’t go on the trestle…yea they got caught.

And the story about playing in the hills east of town, way too late when it started getting dark. They could see the lanterns coming across the field. She says it looked like the entire town of Forks.

Mom graduated from high school in 1954.

A year later she married Beauford White. They enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting, and just driving up the logging roads. They lived at Amanda Park, Demorest Cabins, and at Bear Creek.

They had four children, Charles, Norma, Allen, and Jim. Tragically Charles died shortly after birth. They lived at Bear Creek with a number of cougar stories, until alcohol dissolved the marriage.

Mom picked up jobs sewing/mending for people and stores and babysitting until she was given a job in the school lunchroom.

Mom enjoyed her job at the school, first in the lunchroom and then as a custodian. Rheumatoid arthritis set in around 35. Although living with continual pain she never complained. At 65 she officially retired, but continued to work as a volunteer custodian until the arthritis forced her to quit at 75.

After really retiring she could be seen enjoying lunch with friends a couple/few times a week.

Monday, March 7, 2022, after a few days in the hospital, Mom succumbed to COVID.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Coyne and his nursing staff for taking care of Mom during her last days.

We would also like to extend a special thanks to Mom’s grandson Scott for faithfully helping her out during her later years.

We miss our mother/grandmother greatly, but as she would often remind us about others, she is in a better place.

Norma, Allen, Jim