Thekla "Tek" Beswatherick

Thekla “Tek” Beswatherick died peacefully on December 30, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Beswatherick, and her daughter, Kimberly Booher. 

Thekla was born on September 15, 1944, in Everett, WA, to Jack and Elvina (Kueter) Clark. A lifelong Washington resident, she grew up in Seattle then spent the rest of her life in Bellingham where she worked as an optician for many years. Thekla tried marriage three times before eventually finding her soulmate in husband number four, Ivan. 

She loved to read, smoke cigarettes, grow tomatoes, listen to classical music as well as Elvis, and go camping and fishing with Ivan. She was a prodigious cook who showed her love through the best spaghetti sauce and potato salad in the world. Her pragmatism and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Thekla is survived by her three children, Friedrich Booher (Metolius, OR), Max Booher (Seattle, WA), and Emily Booher (Monroe, WA); seven grandchildren; brother-in-law Wayne Beswatherick; sisters-in-law Donna McNamara, Brenda Northwood, and Pat Beswatherick; as well as her beloved cat, Blackie, and several good friends and neighbors who became like family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation.