Historic Langley

1903: Monson House

Leander Monson, his wife Emma, and their six children came to Langley circa 1903. Leander built a two-story home at the corner of Third Street and Park Avenue.

Circa 1905. Monson family on the porch of their house (Courtesy South Whidbey Historical Society).

Circa 1915. Monson house across from the schools as seen looking west from near Cascade Avenue (Courtesy South Whidbey Historical Society).

William and Alma Porter bought the house after Emma Monson died in 1934

Circa 1943: Svedberg Funeral home

Robert and Lydia Svedberg bought the building from the Porters and moved their funeral business from 207 Anthes Avenue into the former Monson house.

The Svedbergs added an addition with a carport for the hearse on the south side of the former Monson house facing Third Street, and another addition on the west side facing Park Avenue.

They also built a building north of the main building to serve as a garage for the hearse with doors at both ends and a small apartment above.

1946/47. Aerial view with small building (arrow) north of main funeral home.

1945: Hedgcock Funeral Home

The Svedbergs sold the business and property to Joe and Viola Hedgcock in 1945.

1945. Hedgcock funeral Home seen from the intersection of Third Street and Park Avenue (Courtesy Robert Reich)

The family lived in the former Monson house. The living quarters were downstairs and the bedrooms were upstairs. A sign reading "Hedgcock Funeral Home" hung over the carport at the tight side.

Their daughter Janice who was 4 years old. at the time recalls that "the second story window above the entrance was in my brother Roger’s tiny bedroom. We used to climb out it and sit on the roof."

1945. Hedgcock funeral Home seen from Third Street (Courtesy Robert Reich).

1938-1945. Hearse in front of Hedgcock funeral home (Courtesy Robert Reich).

1952. Aerial view (Courtesy South Whidbey Historical Society).

When his father John became confined to a hospital bed following a stroke, Joe Hedgcock enlarged the apartment above the garage in building A and moved his parents there. The hearse was parked on the left side and the family car was parked on the right. There was also a small wash room and shelves for Viola Hedgcock’s canned goods.

At the left side of building B was the prep room. The casket room was next, and the door at the right of building led to Joe Hedgcock’s office. This was where families met for services.

According to Janice Erikson, "The organ was in our living room. The doors were opened to the viewing area during a service. Marie Burley was one of the organists and Eddie Hunziker was the vocalist."

1965: Remodel

The Hedgcocks built a house next to the Funeral Home in 1964. Once moved there, a significant remodel of the funeral home began.

The old Monson house was demolished and two public restrooms and three new rooms to be used as viewing rooms were added. The casket room was transformed into a new office, and a large chapel was added to the east side.

It was discovered that the Svedbergs had used the shipping cartons of caskets as insulation.

1971. Aerial view (Courtesy Ben Breedlove)

1977: Visser Funeral Home

Herman Visser bought the property and funeral business from joe Hedgcock in 1977. It was called the "Hedgcock – Visser Funeral Home" for a time until Joe Hedgcock persuaded Herman to remove the Hedgcock name.

The building to the North was enlarged and connected to the main building between 1981 and 1999. It served as the living quarters for the Visser family.

2004. Enlarged garage and apartment complex attached to the main Funeral home (Courtesy John Scurlock).

Brent and Marge Trimble owned the business from 1996-2009. They retained the name “Visser Funeral Home”.

Howard Johnson who lived next door to the funeral home, helped the Trimbles transport bodies.

Services Corporation International purchased the business in 2009. They kept the Visser name until closing the funeral business in 2017 and selling the property to Damon Arndt.

2018. Former Visser Funeral Home (Courtesy Robert Waterman).

2019: Soundview Center

Beginning in 2018, the building was completely remodeled to accommodate a physical therapy and wellness business run by Damon’s wife Shannon Arndt.

2019. Remodel underway (Courtesy Robert Waterman).

The business known as Soundview Center opened in the fall of 2019.

2020. Soundview Center (Courtesy Robert Waterman)