Obituary of Heather Lynne Youngren

Heather Lynne Youngren passed away on February 25, 2016. She was 40 years old. Heather was born on March 5, 1975 in Renton, Washington, to her parents Linda and Peter Welch. She attended all 12 years of grade school and high school in the Renton school district. She was very active in sports and played Little League baseball for several seasons and was a member of the middle school bike club. She had fond memories of her father accompanying her and the club on one of their trips to the San Juan Islands. Heather also enjoyed outings with her dad and brother on numerous Boy Scout Troop hiking and canoe trips. She loved canoeing on the Ross Reservoir. On these trips she was always competing with the other scouts to see who could paddle the longest and fastest and was able to hold her own with the boys. In high school her main athletic activity was the swim team and she was always amongst the top finishers at her school meets. Although Heather had a busy school schedule she still made time to volunteer as a Candy Striper at their local hospital for 2 to 3 years. Also during Heather’s high school years she went on extended school trips to New York city and Washington D.C. , London and Paris; and a one month student exchange in Spain. When she graduated from high school she took a vacation with her paternal grandmother to South Africa which she loved and spoke fondly of. Heather also attended the University of Washington and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration. She later fell in love with her long time friend Troy Youngren and they were married on June 28, 1997. Heather has been a Washougal resident for the past 17 years. Heather had an enthusiasm for life enjoyed the outdoors, camping and reading. She has always enjoyed traveling and has visited much of the U.S. Last year she even took a cruise to Alaska with her dad and her family between chemo treatments. The last several years Heather loved working from home with her E-Bay business. She loved her family and made it a priority to spend time with her extended family at reunions and special events. Heather’s zeal and strength in her battle with cancer was so apparent to all who knew or met her. She had an abundance of friends and has left a beautiful influence that will remain with us for ever. Heather was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Dehn and Virginia Welch of Washougal, WA; her maternal grandfather, Harold Powell of Salkum, WA; and her mother Linda Welch. She is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Troy Youngren; her son Evan and daughter Liberty, at home; her father Peter Welch of Renton WA, brother Eric of Tacoma, WA; maternal grandmother Dorothy Powell of Salkum, WA; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.