Ilse R. Jones, 94

Ilse R. Jones – born Ruth Ilse Margaret Standke – passed away on Monday, August 11th, 2025.

Ilse was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1931. She survived the worst of both Nazism and Stalinism as a child and teenager. She studied as a seamstress, finding work in Berlin before emigrating to the UK, Canada, and eventually the USA. Ilse built a life of serving people in the United States as a cafe and restaurant owner in the Pacific Northwest, working along the Hood Canal, in Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and even in Alaska.

Alongside a life dedicated to feeding people, Ilse built a small but committed family with two daughters and one son – all still living in Washington State. Ilse was married twice over the decades; first to Peter H. Ewert and then to Floyd Jones. Throughout, Ilse loved and remained committed to her family and helped them grow their families as grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and tending her roses.

Ilse Jones spent her twilight years living in rest homes in Gig Harbor and Olympia, Washington, close to her three children. In the end, she lived 94 years, survived the worst of a world war, and found her version of the American dream an ocean away from the turmoil of her youth.

Ilse is survived by three children: Susan R. Rodius, Christine I. Johnston, and Peter W. Ewert (and his wife, Leah), four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Haven of Rest in Gig Harbor, WA, on August 25, 2025, at 2:00.