Lembit Erich Ratassepp

Lembit was born March 4, 1952, in Orland, California, to Alfred and Lena Ratassepp. He passed away on August 5, 2021, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. After graduating from Orland High School, Lembit went on to Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1974. He began his work career with the State of Washington, Department of Corrections on July 1, 1975. In the early 1980s, he joined the Department of Game as the Wildlife Program Budget Coordinator. His career evolved into legislative, administrative, budgeting, and planning responsibilities with the renamed Department of Wildlife, and ultimately the merged Department of Fish and Wildlife. After working for over 30 years, Lembit retired from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as the Assistant Chief of Budget and Administration for the Enforcement Program. Lembit had a wonderful work family, all of whom will greatly miss him. Lembit loved to cook and enjoyed planning wonderful dinners with friends. Often these dinners were five- or six-course meals, all meticulously designed and organized to include printed menus. Lembit is survived by his daughter, Katrin Ratassepp (Mike May); his son, Erik Ratassepp (Gaby Strehler). His older brothers, Denton Kees (Gail) and Bill Kees (Carolyn), and his older sisters, Judy Joksch and Riina Allekōrs (Vambola), also survive him. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Betty Harrison. His celebration of life will be Saturday, August 21, 2021, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North Street SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. Katrin asks that, in celebration of his colorful and joyful life, everyone wear something that reminds them of Lembit: maybe an apron, Hawaiian shirt, or crab legs. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Washington State Combined Fund Drive (CFD) at https://give.wa.gov/search to a charity of your selection on that site. Lembit would donate a five-course dinner for six every year at a fund raiser for the CFD. It would honor him greatly to know his legacy of giving to the CFD is continued. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.