Palmer Sather, a lifetime resident of Stanwood, WA, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends at the age of 93 on September 23, 2014.

Palmer left a legacy as a farmer, turned drive-in restaurant owner, to a visionary developer.

He came into this world via midwife, born December 30, 1920 to Ole and Dorthea Sather. He grew up on the family homestead just outside of the town of Stanwood joining his brother Otto and half brother Martin. Palmer and his brother Otto expanded the family farm by buying two neighboring properties.

Palmer served as salutatorian at his graduation at Lincoln High School in Stanwood in 1940. Out on his own, he first worked as a petroleum truck driver in Ellensburg, WA where he eventually met and courted Trudy Schnebly. They married in 1950 and moved back to Stanwood to run the chicken and cattle farm and they raised four daughters.

Together, Palmer and Trudy opened the Farmette Drive-In in 1964. Careful research went into the food they served. Their hamburgers, a favorite among their loyal customers, were made from the freshest ingredients and the meat was from beef cattle raised on their farm. After a successful run, they sold the business in 1972.

Palmer next turned his hand to selling real estate, with the idea of developing the Sather family property. He joined forces with Mayer Baron and later Sol Baron to turn 55 acres of land into an ever growing commercial development. Palmer said he used to enjoy standing out on his front porch and watch the development grow over the years. Turning the family homestead into a commercial success and thus seeing Stanwood grow gave him great satisfaction.

Serving the Stanwood community was also high on Palmer's list. He is a long-time member of Kiwanis, serving as president from 1972-1973 and as secretary of the organization for 15 years. True to his Norwegian roots, Palmer was a member of the Sons of Norway Lodge in Stanwood and he traveled to Norway on a few excursions to visit his many Norwegian cousins and learn more about his Norwegian heritage.

His family and friends will long remember Palmer for his remarkable gentle spirit, strong work ethic and his ever positive outlook on life.

Palmer is survived by his four children, Donna (Tom), Paula, Pamela and Lisa, his brother Otto (Betty) and his granddaughter Beth (Jesse). His wife, Trudy, preceded him in death in 2011.

A celebration of Palmer's life is planned for 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stanwood on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

A special thank you goes to Palmer's dedicated caregiver of the past three years, Kathy Peebler, and her team, Lori Wenrick, Amanda Halverson and Teri Beck. Remembrances may be made in Palmer's name to Providence Hospice of Snohomish County 2731 Wetmore Ave. #500, Everett, WA 98201.

Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.