Memories of Sven-Erik, A Good Friend
by Mary Germeau, Director of Olympic Ski School at Stevens Pass

Sven-Erik Jonassen was my friend. On Thursday, June 3rd about 400 more of his friends and family came to Stevens Pass to say a final goodbye to him. Sven, his life and our memories of him were discussed for several hours before and after the memorial service, which was beautifully planned by his sisters and his good friends Nils-Erik Riise, Ivan Svaasand and David Vintertun. Sven was a vital member of our PSIA community and we all have many memories to keep him alive in our minds.

Any article about a friend who is now gone needs some basic facts presented about his/her life. Sven-Erik was born on December 8th, 1962 in Edmonds WA to Sven and Ragnhild Jonassen. He has a great family, sister Liv Warford, her husband John, sister Kari Jonassen and Rick Takach, a niece Kristina Warford and nephew Bjorn Warford. He was an outstanding and highly honored student at Bothell High School from which he graduated in 1981. At Central Washington University, he earned a degree in Education and then decided that the mountains, carpentry and fishing in Alaska would fill his time for many years. He earned his PSIA Level III certification in Alpine, Nordic and Snowboard and was also a DCL. Sven was an instructor, Technical Director and partner in Olympic Ski School. Later he was an instructor, partner and Director of Stevens Pass Ski School and became the Director of Ski Education Services at Stevens Pass. He was a fixture at Stevens working with the ski patrol, helping to build the heated steps, operating heavy equipment and occasionally driving a snow cat. At all times he encouraged every one of us to love and respect the mountain environment. Besides his skiing expertise, Sven skippered fishing boats in Alaska and worked in the hotel business with his sister Kari and Rick.

At the Thursday service, Stevens Pass Ski School instructor and friend, Karla Kay, remembered that Sven took her to Rock Garden on Seventh Heaven to teach her how to ski powder. She implied that she did not feel too successful in this venture, but that Sven was continuously encouraging. This reminded me of the many times Sven lead me to strange and difficult places, usually on Seventh Heaven, to try and improve my skiing. He never seemed to become irritated as I floundered around; he continued to encourage me to “keep trying Mary, you take aerobics, you shouldn’t be tired!” My son Gene said that most of what he learned about skiing came from Sven—this same comment was voiced by Stacy Otter McMillian and many others who skied with him at Olympic Ski School in the ’70"s and “80’s. Most of the memories I have of Sven revolve around the mountain. Sven began his PSIA teaching at Olympic Ski School when he was still in high school and quickly became a leader to the rest of us in the school. We all admired and aspired to his skiing ability and enjoyed being with him. His enthusiasm was hard to beat. He participated eagerly in all our get togethers at Chelan, at ski school weddings and at various home gatherings; no party was complete without his smiling face and great laugh. My boys and I were invited to spend many weekends at his cabin in Yodelin in the early years. At first I did not believe him when he told me that it was about a 1/4-1/2 mile walk in and out to his cabin. After my first trip, I learned to lighten my load and plan ahead.

Talking with long time PSIA members Tor Storkersen and Harald Riise, I was reminded of how highly held Sven was in the esteem of every generation. Tor is convinced that Sven was one of the best skiers at Stevens Pass—he seemed to communicate very well through his skiing.

Sven was a man of many sides. On one hand he could be planning the “Moon Over Stevens Pass Photo” ( B.A.’s off the top of Barrier) and on the other he was picking up every piece of garbage and junk he could find on the mountain and grumbling about people who didn’t know what a garbage can was. He could be stopping by the Bray cabin in Yodelin for a nightcap of Aquavit and some lively conversation or quietly going off by himself to hike in the mountains. He accompanied me to Lindbergh High School twice to observe my math students and talk with them; I believe he really thought that he would teach kids one day and then he would be off to try his hand on the boats in Alaska. Sven was kind, caring, friendly, quiet, talkative, stubborn, multi-talented and a good friend to all of us. I will miss him; we will all miss him.