The last family owned funeral home in Thurston County.

Nina Ranslow born on October 7th 1937 and passed away Jun 11, 2023

Nina was such a bright light that no darkness could exist around her.  I never thought I would find myself not having her to call or be with her  laughing, crying, or both. We always talked about it all…all! Her laugh was contagious no matter what your mood was. And her hugs…oh…, that hug she gave that made everything else melt away and your entire world healed, and then…in the kitchen she would go to make you something delicious.  Nina’s love for her family was fierce and unwavering to say the least, she put her family before and above everything else in this world…including herself. 

Nina's early years were far from easy in Korea. But she was a shining star that could not be put out. Her perseverance, determination and incredible intelligence and wits brought her to creating a beautiful family and a life full of adventure with her husband at her side. She had a full life of friendships that spanned lifetimes for most.  Nina cherished and welcomed all the new life and family that came into her life over the years and made her family grow and bloom. 

Nina was blessed with her husband “Roy” of 53 years; they were blessed with their two sons, Dale and Todd Ranslow. Dale and his wife Heaven brought her 2 grandson’s Brendan and Keegan and their extended family, Todd and his wife Alicia brought her 4 grandchildren, Kaia, Aria, Melkamu, and Yeasera, and their extended family. She was blessed with a nephew Chae  from her sister. Chae and his wife Abby brought her 2 grandnephews Conner, and Andrew and their extended family.  Her oldest grandchild brought her a great granddaughter AnaLeia and a great grandson Beckitt … arriving  soon, and extended family. Family was like air to Nina, and the importance she put on the family staying close and holding the history was just that. The life and love she breathed into all of us.  Nina never left anyone out, not a fellow sister of a daughter in law or their kids, not a step mom, or step grandkids.  To Nina we were always just family and she treated us all as just that and nothing less.

Nina and I would spend a lot of time looking at all the different children and their children and so on. She came to love the “magic” of my phone.  Always asking about how everyone was doing and complimenting how everyone was growing up so fast. 

This list included my mom, dad, sister, and niece just to start. Alicia’s dad’s wife Cheryl, Cheryl’s  children Adirian and granddaughters, Kylah Archelle and Rae Schneider, and great grandchildren, Wheeler, Tobias, Quinlin   I think Nina loved the babies the most as we would joke about how they all grow too fast.  Nina never left anyone out, she was like a mob mom in a way “once your family your always family” or your in the river. 

I always felt special to have Nina as one of my closest friends.  You could say I considered her one of my favorite people on earth.  As her family was to her… she was one of the greatest loves of my life.  Nina loved and cherished her family more than anything else in this world including herself. I have never seen anyone be graced into her home or presence and go away empty handed. Whether that was a hot meal she would jump up to make for you or loving words to ease your heart.  Nina was an excellent cook and a master homemaker.  When she arrived in the U.S. she wanted to learn everything she could. She worked as many jobs as she could, but always put her family and being a mom first. Nina being born and raised until she was in her late 40’s in Korea could make it hard to see through what she was saying.  The direct approach was how it seemed to come across to most people….  With that being said, Nina had the most caring tender heart and was at the door with a bowl of seaweed soup when you were sick, even if she was. Or right there to work alongside you.  She put herself aside and was in constant service to those around her.  Her heart was tender and could be hurt easily. I don't think many people knew that about her.  

Instead of standing up here giving you a list of all the wonderful objectives that describe our mom I would like to share some stories about her and let y’all draw your own pictures. I ask and also encourage and ask  anyone here to share a story or memory of her with us all. Everyone holds a piece of Nina's history and we would love to add those to our memories also.