Thursday, October 1, 2026
Sue von Jentzen (née Arnquist; formerly Susan Blumenauer), 80, of Ellensburg, Washington, passed away on April 29, 2026, at the age of 80.
Born on February 15, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John and Helen Arnquist, her family later moved to the Lynnwood area, where she spent much of her childhood. Sue attended Mountlake Terrace High School when it was newly opened. Prior to her senior year, her family relocated to Frederick, Maryland, where she graduated from Frederick High School in 1964.
While in high school, Sue won the Betty Crocker Future Homemaker of Tomorrow award, earning a trip to Washington, D.C., along with a scholarship for college. She went on to attend the University of Maryland and the University of Washington, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology.
Sue began her career as a 7th-grade teacher at St. Pius X Catholic School in Mountlake Terrace. She later worked for many years at Household Finance. It was during this time that she met and married Fred von Jentzen. She also worked at The Bon Marché at Alderwood Mall when it first opened.
In 1986, Sue and her family moved to Granite Falls, where she worked for many years with the Granite Falls School District. She was deeply devoted to her five children and six grandchildren and was their biggest cheerleader, advocate, and supporter.
Throughout her life, Sue was incredibly creative and talented. She made clothes for herself and her children, as well as countless Halloween costumes for her kids and grandkids. An avid quilter, Sue created many quilts over the years. In everything she made, her work was meticulous, and her stitches were perfect. She also made beautiful handmade dolls, and was a member of the Fudge and the Funnies Doll Club, forming friendships with her “Beach Peeps” that lasted her lifetime. She had a remarkable gift for making things of beauty, which she generously shared with others.
Following retirement, Sue and Fred settled in Ellensburg, where she continued her handiwork and became involved in a local craft group.
Sue is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Fred von Jentzen; her children, Paul Blumenauer of Granite Falls; Krissy (Jason) Davis of Bothell; Amanda von Jentzen of Ellensburg; Emily von Jentzen of Kalispell, Montana; and Joshua (Casandra) von Jentzen of Granite Falls. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Hannah, Garret, Lucas, Desmond, Hudson, and Lexie. Sue is also survived by her siblings, John Arnquist, Kathy Ernst, and Margaret Rutledge; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Sue’s life will be held June 27, 2026, from 1-3 p.m. at Lion’s Hall, Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett. All who knew her are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, 10700 Meridian Ave. N, #503, Seattle, WA 98133, in Sue's memory.
