Chuck Politka
Charles Stanley Politka, 87 passed away on March 22, 2026 of complications from Parkinson’s.
Born October 14, 1938 to Jean and Alex Politka in Allegan, Michigan. A fishery biologist with a Master’s degree, he worked at the department of interior as an Environmental Review Officer receiving many accommodations for outstanding job performance.
He retired at 55 to begin a new business as a fishing guide. He opened Outdoors Northwest to offer guided fishing trips on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. He was highly sought after for his sturgeon, salmon & steelhead prowess.
The effects of Parkinson’s overtime became too great to safely continue.
In 1974, he built a home on Sauvie Island where he continued to live until his death.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Polly Holbrook, sister & brother-in-law, Mary and Tom Bush of Piedmont, CA and sister-in-law, Dixee Partee of Scappoose, OR. May he rest in peace
Mark Harold Hepner
July 25, 1952 ~ February 15, 2026
In this time of grieving the profound loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather (“Bapa”) and friend, our family has had such comfort and joy in reading the seemingly endless stream of letters, cards, text messages and emails from so many who knew and loved him. There are mentions of who he was as a professional mentor, a hilarious friend and storyteller, a dependable neighbor, a fun fishing guide, a charming workout partner know as “Stache” at the gym, someone with a “movie star persona” and overall, a man of the highest integrity. As a family we saw and adored all of these traits and it has brought smiles to our faces to hear others had the same experience.
Mark was born to Fran and Harold Hepner in 1952. He grew up in Eugene where he studied business at U of O and met his first wife Shirley. The two of them welcomed a baby girl, Sarah in 1976 before going their separate ways. Mark then moved to Portland and became a founding partner at Portland Residential Appraisal and met his wife Kelly. The two of them and their daughters Josie and Riley found and moved into their forever home on Sauvie Island in 1992. Sauvie Island became a part of him, and he a part of it. He cherished the many friendships he made here through involvement in the Dad’s Club at SI School, serving on the board of the Drainage District, and the many fun island get togethers we have enjoyed as a family over the years. His favorite things about living out here, though, were building things in his shop- like a dollhouse on Christmas Eve for his little girls, sitting on his patio looking out at the land he cared for and, to quote him, “having the privacy to use the world as my un urinoir” (there you go, a little treat for anyone who has read this far).
Mark’s integrity and hard work stayed true to the very end. As weak, dizzy, and exhausted as he was, he continued to do everything he could to make meaningful contributions to those around him- from mowing the lawns, to making dinners, to always keeping his sense of humor he was so well known and loved for.
Because Mark grew to love Sauvie Island so much, we plan on hosting a celebration of life at our home in early July, where we invite you to join us for a toast to what an incredible man he was and how fortunate we were that he was a part of our lives.
Rick Alan Baggett
Rick (Rikki) Alan Baggett, born 12/16/1964 in Portland, Or. to parents Luther (Satch) & Patricia Baggett. He joined his brothers Kurtis & Norman Jay Baggett. He attended Sauvie Island School and Scappoose Schools. He started drum lessons when he was in the 4th grade! He was Musician of the Year when he was a Senior. He is in the Scappoose HS Athletic Hall of Fame for the State Baseball Championship as a Jr. He was recognized at the league and state levels several times as a catcher. He graduated in 1983 from Scappoose High School. Upon graduation he headed to LA to become a rock star - and that he did.
Rick has 3 daughters, Taylor from Phoenix, AZ, Paige from Yacolt & Summer from Longview, WA, a son, Blake from Scappoose and a precious Grandson, Jameson from Yacolt. Nephews Dustin & Jason Baggett from Scappoose. He met his soulmate Penny in 2012 and married in 2017.
Rikki left us on 2/15/2026 in Ridgefield WA. from what appears to have been a heart attack. He was surrounded by his band family and many friends while loading in to perform at Ilani Casino. He was doing what he loved when he passed. If you knew Rikki, you loved him. He had the biggest, most beautiful smile on his face, always.
Rikki was not just a musician. He loved Bunco with friends, Bowling, Skiing with his boss, Shuffleboard in AZ, Riding Harley’s with Penny, The Beach, Working in the Yard. Loved his friends and the followers of his music.
Rikki worked for Pioneer Deck & Patio (Rob & Jenny) for 22 years. They became family.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.
Allan Lerch
Allan Lerch was born April 1, 1938 in Portland, Oregon. In the early evening of February 10, 2026, passing peacefully in his sleep, he went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was 87 years old. He was the oldest son of Alfred and Martha Lerch.
Allan graduated from Benson High School in 1956. He joined the US Navy in 1956 and served for four years. Eventually, he began working at Hyster Company and retired in 1998.
When Allan met Millie Canfield, he was head-over-heels in love. They were made for each other, inseparable. On December 28, 1974, Allan married Millie, the love of his life. They lived in Hillsboro for a couple of years before they moved to Sauvie Island. They lived together on the Island until Millie had a stroke in 2008 and was moved to a care facility. His love for Millie never wavered. He drove 46 miles round trip to St. Helens everyday and spent the day with her. Allan joined Millie in January 2023 and they lived together once again until the Lord called her home in September of that same year.
Allan attended the Sauvie Island Community Church. He was a long-time member, a Deacon for several years, and Millie and he were involved in the kid’s program.
Allan was very passionate about fishing and hunting and luckily, Millie was too. (Remember, two peas in a pod!) If they heard there were salmon running in the river, you could bet they would be out there in their boat. During duck hunting season, they’d be in a duck blind out at the edge of their property.
Barbara Ann Noce
June 12, 1954 – November 12, 2025
Barbara Ann Noce, 71, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, in the hospital with her family by her side.
She was born on June 12, 1954, in Salem, Oregon, and was raised in North Portland. In 1976, she moved to Sauvie Island, where she lived for many years.
Barbara was known for her skill with crafts, including crocheting, cross-stitching, and sewing. She often sold her work at local bazaars and enjoyed making things by hand. She worked in manufacturing and was known as a hard worker.
She was a good neighbor who kept a well-tended yard and enjoyed caring for her flowers.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Michael Noce; her daughter, Michelle Sundin, and son-in-law, Scott Sundin; her granddaughters, Mollie and Kayla Sundin; and her sister, Beverly Oppek.
She will be remembered for her creativity, work ethic, and dedication to her family.
Henry Willener
02/24/1942 - 10/01/2025
Henry "Hank" Willener passed away on October 1st , 2025 in Portland, OR at the age of 83 surrounded with love from his two kids Sally Willener and Curt Willener.
Hank was born February 24th , 1942 in Clatsop County, Oregon to parents Henry Chris Willener and Dorothy Margaret Willener (maiden Johnson). He grew up on his family's cattle ranch in Warrenton, Oregon, where he learned to work at a young age and excelled in academics and athletics. Although he would later spend the better part of his life on Sauvie Island, Warrenton was always home.
Hank graduated from Warrenton High School in 1960, where he was an athlete, student body President and class valedictorian. Of all the sports that Hank played, football was his favorite, where he was an all-league fullback as a Junior, until illness prevented him from playing as a senior. After high school, Hank attended Willamette University before transferring to Oregon State University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree and Senior Honors from the School of Education in 1965.
Hank served in the U.S. Airforce from 1965 to 1969 and was a Vietnam Veteran. As a first lieutenant, Hank was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service while serving at Phu Cat Airforce base in Vietnam from March, 1967 to January, 1968. Following promotion to Captain, Hank received the Airforce Commendation Medal for meritorious service from March, 1968 to July 1969.
Succeeding his military service, Hank attended Harvard Law School, earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1972. After completing his law degree, Hank returned to Portland, Oregon where he joined law firm Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt and began a long and distinguished career as a trial attorney. Hank finished his law career in private practice, where he valued working for himself and being able to spend time with family.
In 2012, Hank was inducted into the Warrenton High School Hall of Fame for his community support, which included continuing his father's legacy as "the pumpkin man", trucking pumpkins from Sauvie Island to Warrenton so that elementary school kids in the area could have a pumpkin for Halloween.
Hank was a fine fisherman and hunter, and by all accounts an exceptional wing shooter. He spent many hours fishing for spring chinook and hunting ducks and geese with family and friends near his home on Sauvie Island.
Hank will always be remembered for his intelligence, strength of character and compassion. Of all of Hank's many accomplishments, he was most proud as a loving father and grandpa. Hank is survived by his two kids, Sally Suzanne Willener and Henry Curt Willener, daughter-in law Kristina Anne Willener and four grandkids, Henry Christopher Willener, James Wyatt Willener, Matthew Curtis Willener and Katherine Abigail Willener.
A memorial service will be held at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton, OR at 12:00 p.m. on Friday October 17th, 2025.
Dave Gustafson
October 14, 1959 — September 17, 2025
Dave loved God, people, evangelism, and oysters in that order. There was an oyster illustration or a joke in almost every sermon. People paid attention because he would issue a playful warning that if they fell asleep, he'd have to start the sermon over. Dave was the kind of person who would drop what he was doing to help someone in need or in trouble. He was a good listener. A best friend. He was always one of the first people to greet anyone new to the community and wasn’t afraid to knock on strangers’ doors and invite them to church. He loved to connect with people and make sure they felt welcome.
As a boy, he evangelized the neighborhood children by having them sit at a picnic table while he preached God's Word. His parents became saved because of their son's fire for the Lord after they sent him to Seaside Baptist Church. His teenage years were highlighted by driving his 1969 competition orange Camaro Eliminator and being on the wrestling team. He graduated from Seaside High School in 1978. October 21st, 1980, Dave married Linda Webb. The fall of 1983 saw David begin his first of 4 years at Multnomah School of the Bible, graduating in 1988. That same year, their first child, Shiloah, was born, followed by a son, Joshua, in 1993. Also in 1988, David began his ministry with Village Missions at his first of 4 churches. The churches he served at were located in Bridge, OR; Skamania, WA; Woodland, WA; and Sauvie Island, OR. He would be so blessed to know you took the time to go to www.villagemissions.org and learn more about what his life was about.
Between his 3rd and 4th churches, he took a 13-year hiatus where he worked at Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, OR, as a bellman. God brought many people his way that he shared the love of Jesus with. This gave him much joy. As did his two grandchildren, Quorra, age 10, and Jeptha, age 5.
Dave was a loving father who went above and beyond to build lasting, quality relationships with his children. Many memories were made through the years with camping, car ride adventures, movies, late-night grocery shopping, black Friday shopping, evangelizing, playing pool, bowling, and bonfires. His children felt his love every day with his various forms of communication, whether it be a phone call, video chat, text, or in person chatter, he was always present and invested in their lives.
Born in Seaside, Oregon October 14th, 1959, to Arthur and Barbara Gustafson, he passed away from a heart attack Sept. 17th, 2025.
He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Shiloah and her husband Nathan Hopkins and their two children Quorra and Jeptha; A son Joshua Gustafson; David's sister Pam Johnson; a niece Elizabeth and her husband Lavaudus Scott and a nephew Cory Johnson; and a niece Renee Case.
Preceding him in death were both his parents, Arthur and Barbara Gustafson; an older stepbrother, Robert Gillette; an older stepsister, Georgia Gae Sheehan, and two nephews: Brandon Gillette and Michael Spivey.
Dave’s lasting memory will be that whenever he found himself anywhere, whether it be in a hotel, school, gas station, hospital, dialysis center, shopping for groceries at Fred Meyer, or simply out in the world where he encountered people, his first question would be, "Are you a person of Faith?" Now it's been asked of you. Are you?
Jackie Petersen
In memory of Jackie Petersen: It is with heavy hearts we share we lost our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend Jackie Matthews-Petersen early morning of July 29, 2025, passing peacefully in her sleep after a tough battle with cancer. She is no longer in pain and is reunited with her husband Harold Petersen (Butch). Jackie was very involved in the Sauvie Island Community Church, multiple Sauvie Island community organizations and other organizations such as Fences For Fido. She had a deep passion for family and animals. She is survived by her Son Christopher Matthews, grandchildren Brandon, Cyrstin, Christopher, Daniel, great grandchildren Zaria and Azriella, sisters Mercedes, Johanna and brother Charles III. Preceding her in death sisters Isabel, Elaine and mother Edeltrut, father Charles II.
Memorial Service will be Friday, September 19th at 11:00am at the Sauvie Island Community Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to local school supplies drive and or Multnomah County Humane Society.
