Deadly 1972 tornado left its mark on VancouverSubscriber Exclusive

Survivors, relatives of victims of historic tornado vividly recall events of 50 years ago

By Tom Vogt, for The Columbian

Published: April 3, 2022, 6:05am

16 Photos

Five people died when a violent tornado destroyed a Waremart grocery store in Vancouver on April 5, 1972. (The Columbian files) Photo Gallery

Fifty years after a tornado killed their mother, Rick and Russ Graser are keeping her memory close at hand.

Sharon Graser was one of six people who died on April 5, 1972, when a tornado demolished Peter S. Ogden Elementary School, a nearby bowling center and a Waremart grocery store.

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