John Sternhagen

08/08/1917 – 11/23/2012
John G. Sternhagen, loving husband, father, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather, also known as Pappa, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 23rd, 2012 only six days after the love of his life, Nina passed away. He was born in Kalispell, Montana on August 8, 1917 to John F. Sternhagen and Mary R. Caliari Sternhagen. The family moved to Bellingham when he was three years old to be with his mother’s parents. He attended Assumption School for eight years then Harmony Jr./Sr. High School. When Harmony closed he attended and graduated from Meridian High School where he was a star varsity baseball player. He was a Merchant Marine contributing to the war efforts. He was on tug boats sailing out of Seattle taking supplies to Alaska for the highway. He owned and operated Sternhagen Grocery for over thirty years. He built a cabin on Lake Whatcom, where he and Nina moved to after retiring from the grocery store. He loved to hunt and fish and spent many hours on Lake Whatcom. He is survived by his daughter, JoAn Siden (David) and son, Robert Sternhagen (Sandee), four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great- grandchildren. He belonged to Assumption Catholic Church, where he was a member for 92 years. He was involved with starting the athletic council at Assumption School. We want to thank all of the wonderful care givers at Mt. Baker Care Center, and especially his loving granddaughter, Tara, who was his “special angel” there. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Church of the Assumption for both John and Nina on Monday, November 26, 2012. We will always love you, and miss you.