BURDEEN PETER MEBUST
1914 2012
Burdeen Peter Mebust passed away at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, California after a very brief illness on Saturday, May 12 at the age of 97.
A 38-year resident of Brookings, Burdeen is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Viola Berg Mebust, his youngest son Owen Mebust, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient who was killed in the 1968 Viet Nam TET offensive and 6 brothers and sisters.
Burdeen is survived by his son Larry and wife Janet of Murrieta, California, two grandchildren Scott Mebust and Wendy Mebust Bray and their spouses Michelle and Earl, five great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. His wife of six years, Lorna Lee Mebust, survives him and has relocated to California.
Burdeen was the son of immigrants Andrew and Karen Mebust from Selbu, Norway. He was one of eight children and is remembered by many relatives in the Seattle area, as well as numerous extended family members in the Nye River valley of Norway.
Burd was born in Madison, Minnesota in 1914 and grew up on the Mebust family farm in Revillo, South Dakota. After graduation from Revillo High School he joined the Navy where he served on a gunboat during the Boxer Rebellion in China and on tankers in the Pacific and Atlantic theatres during World War II. After retiring at the rank of Chief with 20 years of service in the Navy, Burd entered the rendering industry first with Baker Commodities as chief engineer, then with Peterson Manufacturing as chief engineer retiring as Plant Manager from the Oakland facility.
Burd and Viola found Brookings during their many motorhome travels and established their retirement home here after raising their family in San Diego and Long Beach, and later relocating to Oakland after his Navy career.
Fishing was Burds passion. He joined the Northwest Steel Headers where he volunteered hundreds of hours installing hatch boxes in tributary streams in the Brookings area. He spent hundreds of hours fishing for his babies. He also obtained a salmon trolling license and operated his own commercial boat for several years.
Burds ashes will be scattered off the Oregon coast as per his wishes. No memorial is planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Association of Northwest Steelheaders at PO Box 22065 Milwaukie, Oregon 97269 or online at www.nwsteelheaders.org. Condolences for the family may be sent to Larry Mebust and Family at 38664 Bears Paw Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562.