Werner Josef Amrein

Obituary Werner Josef Amrein   WERNER JOSEF AMREIN was born July 9, 1920 in Lucerne, Switzerland to Anna and Josef Amrein. He was preceded in death by sister, Adele in 1904; sister, Frieda in 1925; brother, Ernst in 1942; father, Josef in 1948; mother, Anna in 1948; son, Peter in 1993; sister, Margrit Troxler in 2007; and sister, Erna Schilli in 2009. The hard times of the 1930's hit the family full force when his older sister Margrit and older brother Ernst lost their jobs. His mother was the only one working, but as a housecleaner with a very small income. Werner started an apprenticeship as a bookbinder for 3½ years in 1935. Starting May 1940, Werner served 4 months in Swiss Army boot camp as a Mountain Telegraph Pioneer, and continued in the Swiss Army until the end of World War II. After the war in 1945, Werner worked as a conductor for the city streetcar in Lucerne, Switzerland and in the summer as conductor on a tour boat on Lake Lucerne. On August 2, 1949 he left Switzerland for Tacoma and was married to Mary Lou Ponton. In Tacoma, he worked at Flett Dairy for 31 years until his retirement in 1980. On May 26, 1979, Werner married Dorothy Canale Johnson and they were happily married for 35 years. Werner is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, William Priedhorsky (wife Melissa) from Los Alamos, New Mexico; daughter, Emily Ann Salter (husband Gary) from Kodiak, Alaska; and daughter-in-law, Debra Priedhorsky from Portland, Oregon; stepsons, Lee Johnson (wife Helen), Bellevue, Larry Johnson, Burien, and Robert Johnson, Tacoma. His grandchildren are Reid, Peter, Lisa, Matt, Julie and Heather; step-grandchildren Brian, Tiffany, Scott, Jeremy, Tony, and Leesa; and great-grandchildren Robert, Caleb and Calvin, and great-step grandchildren Destry, Jr., Davis and Stella. He is also survived by his nephews, Charles Troxler (wife Regula) and Ernst Strahm, as well as brother-in-law Othmar Schilli, who reside in Switzerland. Werner was an active member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, a Life Member of the Swiss Society and the Swiss Sportsmen Club, and a member of the Puyallup Eagles, the Apache Junction Elks, and the Fife Lions Club. Since 1949, Werner has also been a member of the Teamster's Union. Werner and Dorothy loved to dance, continuing it as long as their health permitted. They made many wonderful friends at the afternoon dances at the Collins Grange and the Summit and Milton Senior Centers. For 14 years they spent winters in Apache Junction, Arizona, and traveled the world during Werner's retirement. Memorial donations can be made to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 2306 Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354 or the Fife Lions Club, c/o Robert Johnson, 4818 N. 18th, Tacoma, WA 98406. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 11:00am at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Inurnment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, (253) 572-6003.