Jones Law of the Day
Responsibility without authority is nothing. -- Bill Jones (Fatty)
Employees
Doris Bieker - A Celebration of Her Life - Sun. Jan. 9th
Doris Marie (Kabel) Bieker
July 8, 1928 – November 25, 2010
Doris Marie (Kabel) Bieker, passed away on Thanksgiving November 25, 2010 peacefully, after a short illness in Tacoma, WA
She was the first daughter of Hans Ludwig Kabel who was born in Neumunster, Germany, and Clara Marie (Lieske) Kabel who was born in Santa Barbara, California, of German parents. Her sister Barbara Jean (Campbell) was born in 1932. Doris went to school in Chehalis and graduated from high school in Auburn, WA in 1946. Dick and Doris were married in 1946.
Doris was employed at Yard Birds Shopping Center, in Chehalis for 33 years. In conjunction she was also the International Houseware buyer for World Wide Distributors. She finished her career at Progressive International at the age of 80. She had the pleasure of traveling to many major cities in the U.S. and several foreign countries. Many people she met during this time have kept in touch over the years.
Doris loved to sew and was involved with Zonta and Cabrini Circle.
She loved the “River House” in Chehalis and hosted many parties like the get together after the Yard Birds Golf Tournament that she planned each year.
Doris kept up on all current events and loved to share what was going on in fashion, movies and movie stars. She was interested in learning everything she could and always stayed one step ahead of everyone.
Her family was the most important part of her life. She loved the grandchildren and enjoyed hearing about what they were doing and proudly displayed their pictures in her home. Doris moved from Seattle to Puyallup, WA in 2001 and enjoyed her flowers and view she had of the farms in the Puyallup Valley.
Doris is preceded in death, by her parents Hans and Clara and her sister Barbara. Doris is survived by her children: Renee (Bieker) Brewer, Richard Bieker, Ron (Mary Jo) Bieker and Resa Bieker (Todd) Wilson.
Grandchildren: Tony Bieker, Dannie Brewer, Tor Bieker (Lisa), Sam Bieker, Beth (Whit) Hamlin, Jay Bieker, Kyle (Sharity) Knapp and Kevin (Rebecca) Knapp.
10 Great-Grandchildren: Josh, Jordyn, Tess, Kaitlyn, Rane, Sofia, Sloane, Ansel, Kaily and Gavin.
A celebration of her life will be on Sunday January 9th from 1:00 to 4:00 at Yard Birds in the Bird Nest Room, Chehalis, WA
Childhood Memories
Thank you so much for this website! I grew up literally at Yard Birds - my father, Jack Williams, started at the original store known as Sun Birds, then moved to the big store where he was the shoe store manager. I was born in 1965, so I spent my childhood all the time there, from getting all my mary jane shoes fitted by my father, running through the toy department, eating 8 cent donuts or free popcorn with my yard bird tokens. I took dance lessons upstairs. I even was there the day the big bird outside burned down - broke this little girl's heart!
How I miss those parking lot sales, playing with the free puppies, talking to the mynia bird, buying my girl scout outfits - oh the myriad of memories! I truly look forward to seeing the documentary and I plan on taking my dad with me.
Thanks again!
Regan S.
Olympia Christmas
I lived in Olympia and came down to Toledo to Thaw out my mothers water pipes which had froze.
On the way back home I stopped at Yard Birds to do some Christmas shopping. I have 6 brothers and sisters and Yard Birds had boxes of chocolates on sale so I loaded up my cart.
As I was checking out I was talking to the cashier and she made a comment about all the chocolates. The cashier on the other side said " oh is he good looking singel and does he have a box of chocolates for me" I said I might.
Well my big sister was a cashier at the store at that time so I had a box of chocolates wrapped had them put a tag on it read from Good looking single and loaded with chocolates. I gave it to my sister to give to that cashier who is now my wife and has been for 30 years.
I went to work at Yard Birs that April and worked there till they closed.
Dwayne M.
Yowza
When we went to the employee reuinon, Paul Downing the talented graphic artist and sign painter from Yard Birds, introduced us to his son Bill Downing. Bill, a former employee also, was there playing music with his band Yowza. His bandmate Eric Alton was a local resident also and had a lot of knowledge and memories about the old stores. It was clear to us that they were a big part of the Yard Birds family.
Skinny and Fatty: the story of Yard Birds is availabel on DVD. $14.99 + $3 shipping.
