Loretta Rae Bollinger

Loretta Rae Bollinger, age 79, went home to her Lord on Friday, January 20th, 2017. She was surrounded by loved ones at home. Loretta was the second of four siblings. She was born in Bellingham, WA and raised in Fairhaven. She met her husband, Paul, at a football game and they were married on January 15th, 1954. Loretta and her husband took their two small children, Paula and Tim, and moved to Cloverdale, California where they had four more children. While there, she worked at "Galloway Winery", and drove private bus for the school district, transporting children from the Geysers in the foothills to the schools in town. The family moved back to Bellingham in 1967, where she decided to be a homemaker. She loved gardening, canning, baking and spending time with her friends and her church. Through the years, she and her husband had a revolving door for anyone who needed a helping hand. She was there with open arms to give a big hug, ears to listen, and a huge heart full of love and understanding. She always had a place set at her table for a home cooked meal, made with love and warmth from the heart. The last few years, her favorite phrase was "It's up to the Lord". She was a two-time cancer surviver. The Lord called her home with a grieving heart. She is survived by her five remaining children; son Timothy Bollinger, daughters Vallerie Bollinger, Carrie (Jim) Anderson, Deanna (Scott) Kennedy and Shari Bollinger, all of Bellingham. She is also survived by one sibling, Michael Shetler. She has 18 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. She was preceded by her husband, Paul Bollinger of 62 plus years, daughter Paula Bollinger, two grandchildren, Andy and Heather Powless, and one great-grandchild, Hope Harris, parents Jacob Leroy and Mary Shetler, and siblings Wesley "Buck" and Danny Shetler. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Blue Skies for Children", 2505 Cedarwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225.