Liisa Ripatti Cowles, 88, Westport resident and former bookkeeper for her husband’s fishing boat FV Exodus, died peacefully at home on Tuesday evening, October 2, 2018 with her husband Ronnie by her side.
She was born on May 22, 1930 in Viipuri, Finland to Heikki John and Anna (Iivonen) Ripatti. Always proud of her Finnish heritage, a WW2 survivor, she was 9 years old when Russia invaded Finland and her life became a series of events that stories are written about and movies made.
Liisa immigrated to America when she was 17 years old to visit her aunt in Grayland. Proud that she waited one year to get a visa. She quickly learned English and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1950.
She married Ronnie F. Cowles on June 24th, 1950 in Grayland, WA. He resides at the family home.
Liisa was a Sunday School teacher for 17 years at Open Bible Church in Aberdeen and South Beach Christian Center in Grayland. She counseled many marriages back together and people’s problems in general. She was known for never having said anything bad about anybody.
She is already greatly missed.
Liisa is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ronnie Cowles of Westport; her son, Dr. Ron (Mikki) Cowles of Central Park and her daughter, Roseanna (Doug) Morrill of Aberdeen; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of life held on Sunday, October 14th at 2:30 PM in South Beach Christian Center in Grayland, WA.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.

Obituary for Liisa Anelma Cowles (Ripatti)

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