Edwards Memorial

04/28/2026

Bernarr "Bernie" Frederick Rudsit

Bernarr “Bernie” Frederick RudsitDecember 16, 1954 – April 18, 2026

Bernarr "Bernie" Frederick Rudsit, 71, left this earth too soon on April 18, 2026. He was a strong, passionate, generous man with a big heart and beaming smile who loved silly jokes.

Bernie was born on December 16th, 1954, to Bob and Ida May Rudsit at Tacoma General Hospital. He was the third child joining his siblings, Elizabeth and James, completing the family.

Bernie was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors. He felt closest to God when he was hiking in the woods. He was a gifted and accomplished musician. He began playing the bagpipes at eight years old and continued this passion throughout his life. In 1969, he played with the Seattle Scottish Boys Band and traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to compete in an international championship. The boys band achieved first place status during this competition, taking the annual trophy out of Scotland for the first time in history. Bernie continued onto an illustrious career as a professional piper performing with several bands in the Pacific Northwest region.

Bernie attended Mt. Tahoma High School, Tacoma Community College, Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound. His favorite courses were biology, symbolic logic and chemistry.

His career as a construction superintendent spanned over 40 years. He managed jobs throughout King County, including the Columbia Tower, Smith Tower, St. James Cathedral and both sports stadiums. He was fearless when working on the tallest skyscrapers, and he loved watching the sun come up as he worked on these buildings.

Bernie was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Ida May Rudsit, sister Elizabeth Holmes and his beloved granddaughter, Julie Kaitlyn Crawford. He is survived by his wife, Julie, his daughters, Aimee and Kaitlyn (David), and his brother, Jim (Linda), along with many loving nephews and nieces. He leaves as his legacy five amazing grandchildren: Wyatt, Tora, Allison, Zoe and Evelyn. They were the heart of his life. He is also survived by his beloved labrador retriever, Seven, who liked nothing better than a ride to Home Depot in the cab of Bernie’s truck.

A celebration of life is planned to honor Bernie on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 1-3pm at the Environmental Services Building, 9850 64th Street West, University Place, WA 98466.

Please bring your loving presence, your stories, and ridiculous jokes as we honor Bernie’s wild and precious life.

View Bernarr "Bernie" Frederick Rudsit's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/20/2025

On August 12th, the hottest day of the year, Megan Alger had the pleasure of visiting Hallmark Manor as part of our commitment to meaningful community outreach. She dropped off branded goodies for the dedicated staff, along with refreshing popsicles for the residents. It was heartwarming to see their smiles and know that these small gestures can bring joy during such a hot spell. Connecting with our community is of utmost importance to her, and she aims to foster these relationships by providing support and care. Megan looks forward to exploring more opportunities to engage with residents and staff alike in the future.

In addition to her visit to Hallmark Manor, Megan also reached out to our local heroes at fire station 63. She delivered branded goodies and sunscreens, along with popsicles to help keep them cool while they bravely serve our community in these extreme temperatures. Building strong connections with our local fire department is essential, as they are pillars of our community, protecting us all. Megan is eager to continue strengthening these ties and support their incredible work in any way she can.

07/25/2025

🏳️‍🌈🌈 On June 29th, the Washington Market of FPG Funeral Homes spent the day at the 2025 Seattle Pride event in Downtown Seattle, Washington. This included representatives from Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Beck's Tribute Center, Curnow & Hill Funeral Homes, Klontz Funeral Home and Edwards Memorial Funeral Home - who came together to connect with the community!

Our funeral homes are passionate about celebrating inclusivity! We truly believe in the value of outreach- not only to educate our community on the funeral industry, but to show them that we are an ally who will honor their lives authentically.

Each one of our locations sent branded swag to the event - and it was so fun to get all the teams involved in brainstorming items to represent their Funeral Homes.

Carla Jester (Lead Administrator Extraordinaire from Funeral Alternatives) then organized 50 bags for each Location filled with the Branded items and different kinds of fun candy and tied with rainbow ribbon to pass out during the event.

Thanks to our Family Service Advisor, Morgan Whittingslow, we were also able to give people the opportunity to win 2 tickets to the Seattle Kraken!

Caitlan Messecar (Administrative Assistant - Curnow & Hill Funeral Homes) then created a QR code that participants would scan to enter to win. After scanning, they would let us know if they were interested in learning more about Pre-Planning for Funeral Arrangements. We got a great response to this and cannot wait to follow up with those who marked yes!

Swag and fun drawings aside, the best part of this event was the PEOPLE!!! Being able to speak with those who came to the booth ... about the lives of those they have loved and lost... To learn their stories, to hear about their experiences, and to hear how they want to be remembered was something our teams will never forget. It was truly something special. It reminded us of the impact we can make by being present.

A HUGE shout out to the team members who showed up and spent their Sunday volunteering in their community (not all pictured) & to those who were not able to attend but who helped behind the scenes.

The teamwork that was displayed for this event was one for the books! We can't wait for our next market-wide outreach!

07/04/2025

As we celebrate Independence Day, we express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who made it possible.

07/04/2025

As we celebrate Independence Day, we express gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who made it possible.

06/29/2025

Writing letters can be a powerful way to navigate mourning, allowing you to express emotions that might feel overwhelming. We’ve compiled tips, examples, and a free writing prompt you can download.

Discover the healing power of letter writing after loss and how it can help with grief. Find expert tips and resources to guide you through the process.

06/15/2025

06/13/2025

This Father’s Day, we celebrate and remember the fathers and father figures who left an indelible mark on our lives. Their guidance and love remain with us always. If you’re looking for thoughtful memorial or sympathy gifts to celebrate your dad, click the link below. https://www.afterall.com/memorial-store/gifting/top-gifts-loss-of-a-father.html

06/09/2025

We’re honored to be nominated!
Edwards Memorial has been nominated for Best in the Pacific Northwest, and we’d be so grateful for your support.
🗳 Voting opens at noon today and runs through June 27.
✅ You can vote once a day!
📅 Winners will be announced in September.
Thank you for trusting us to serve this community with care.

06/08/2025

It’s said that you cannot pick your family, but for many of us, our best friends become our family. And when they pass away, the loss can feel insurmountable. Click the link below for gentle coping mechanisms if you’re mourning the loss of a dear friend.

Discover practical ways to cope with the grief of losing a friend, including emotional support strategies and self-care tips to help you heal.

05/26/2025

Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice is the reason we gather, reflect, and stand together in gratitude.

We honor not only their service, but the lives they lived — the families they loved, the dreams they carried, and the legacy they leave behind.

May we never forget the cost of freedom, or the people who paid it.

05/23/2025

As Memorial Day approaches, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on its deeper meaning and the traditions that help us remember those who gave their lives in service.
From the red poppy to the story behind coins left on graves, this article explores the history and symbolism behind this solemn holiday.
Learn more:

Discover the history and meaning of Memorial Day, the role of red poppies, and respectful ways to honor fallen U.S. service members each May.