Adaline Uselman

Adaline Regina Uselman (Vacek), age 81, passed away on Sunday July 25th, 2021, to be with the Lord.

She is proceeded in death by her father, Willie Vacek; her mother, Bessie Baca; and her brother, William Vacek. Adaline is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John C. Uselman; her four children, Catherine Lesar and husband Greg, Lisa Pedersen and husband Dan, Gregory Uselman and wife Christine, and David Uselman and wife Stacy; her nine grandchildren, Kathleen, Samantha, Andie, Joseph, Rylie, Joshua, Nicholas, Alexander, and Alexandra; and her great grandchildren Ellie, Adaline, and Finley.

Adaline was born April 14, 1940, in Waco Texas to her adopted parents Willie Joe Vacek and Bessie Olga Baca. She spent her childhood growing up on a cattle ranch in Seymour, Texas. Her early years were spent helping on the farm, which prepared her for her life’s work. After graduating from Seymour High School, Adaline went to Business School in Wichita Falls, Texas. As fate would have it, through a blind date she met the love of her life John Uselman from Wisconsin who was stationed in Texas as a member of the USAF.

Adaline and John were married on April 18, 1960, in Seymour, Texas. As a new military wife, travelling was in her future, and it would take her far from her Seymour farm. Shortly after marriage they transferred to Minnesota where she gave birth to, Catherine, Lisa, and Gregory and then on to the Island of Guam where she gave birth to David. Four children in four years could only be explained as farm girl tough.

As a traditional military wife, Adaline was responsible for the majority of the children’s upbringing, and she was good at it. She made sure the kids were always clean, well fed, polite and well dressed, and of course disciplined as needed, but there was always room for fun. Dinners were at 5:00 PM, always with sweet tea, with the normal southern country style fare. Adaline always made sure the family had what they needed, even when they didn’t think it was good for them, like eating liver once a month. Mom loved her role as a housewife; her life on the farm equipped her for the challenge.

Adaline, John, and the children left Guam and traveled to Turkey, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Montana, Idaho, and Washington in a twenty-year period. Packing and unpacking became normal, and Adaline was always in the lead; setting things up and taking things down, getting the kid’s signed up for school and activities, making sure they had school clothes, and of course, their favorite lunch boxes.

As the children became self-sufficient with age, Adaline, while still taking care of the family, worked to supplement the family income as four teenagers can be expensive. That is a testament to her strength and dedication. Aside from a few side jobs, most notably, she worked in finance for the Forest Service and the US Government.

Once the kids graduated from school, Adaline’s travels resumed, and her and John were off to Nevada as John had a job at Hoover Dam, and Adaline was never going to miss a chance to go to Las Vegas and learn the art of beating the slot machine.

Shortly after moving to Nevada, Adaline and John moved to Washington where they built their dream home in Yelm. After years of travelling, Adaline found her place to call home. This is where she spent the last thirty years of her life working, retiring, doing what made her happy, and of course, leaving a lasting and positive impact on all she met along the way; except for the slow drivers in front of her. Adaline was loved by all she met.

Adaline’s passions included taking care of John, and her children and grandchildren, activities with the Church, ceramics, sewing and quilting. Her goal was to make sure every family member had a quilt, including the great grandchildren who lovingly called her Nana. Making sure visitors always left the house full made her happy. Thanksgivings were her day to shine. No one was allowed to cook the turkey, stuffing, and potatoes and gravy but her. She was unmatched at her abilities to help and care for others, and she made a mean rum cake.

She’ll always be remembered for her unconditional love to her family and friends, and her ability to laugh easily regardless of the circumstances. She had a wonderful since of humor. Her spirit will carry on with all that knew her. There’s no doubt she’s asking the Lord “if he needs anything else to eat”.

To the end, Adaline would say “I had a wonderful life”. To you Adaline we say, “You may have had a good life but ours has been better as a result of you”.

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