Geraldine Gagner
Geraldine “Jerie” Gagner: March 16, 1931 – February 4, 2023.
At 91 years old, our beloved mother, and dear friend to many, passed over to the Light and the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Gagner and her oldest daughter Paula Marie Gagnier. We know she is delighted to once again be in their company.
She is survived by her adult children Rick (Jeanette) Gagner, Kevin (Diane) Gagner, Craig (Donna) Gagner, Connie (Jon) Granberg and Christopher Gagner. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, as well as three great-grandchildren.
Jerie was raised in Yakima, WA as Jerie Kirk, and graduated from Saint Joseph’s Academy. Mom was the youngest of four daughters, raised by our grandmother Hilda Kirk. She was preceded in passing by her mother Hilda, and sisters Delores, Adlerose, and Phyllis.
She worked for the telephone company in her early years after high school, then married Dick Gagner just before he began his second hitch in the Army, having been reactivated from the reserves during the Korean war. She was a dental assistant during his time in the army.
They began their family of six children between Seattle and Yakima, eventually settling in the Yakima Valley, to get us all “up and running in a more spacious and easier-going environment” they termed it. We had a ball! Mom loved to fish and gave us lots of pointers. She also loved ice skating, and always looked forward to the Olympic figure skating competitions. Having been raised in a family of all girls, Mom enjoyed and supported the outdoor hunting and fishing activities of four boys (she did not, however, appreciate the bullsnakes we captured and brought home.)
Mom was ahead of her time in many ways – Back in the 70’s she got involved in playing guitar, (ensuring we had guitars and lessons), Yoga and light meditation, and health food, as well as some oil painting. (Excellent coping strategies with so many teenagers sprouting up all around her…)
In 1979 She went back to school at Lower Columbia Basin Community College where she completed training and licensure in Massage Therapy. She practiced deep muscle massage therapy, foot reflexology as well as some acupressure techniques out of her home for quite a few years. She helped many people in the process.
She loved the ocean and the mountains, and proudly purchased her own vacation home in Packwood, WA where family and friends enjoyed many years of recreating at White Pass and Mt Rainier.
Through all the adventurous years the six of us had with her, growing up into adulthood, it was a great delight for us was to share in the wonderful, close friendships she and Dad maintained through the years as well as the bonds of our own friendships she encouraged; many from childhood, and still to this day. She treasured all of those dear friends, and we do too. You are All a Great Blessing.
Please come and celebrate her wonderful life and loving memories with us on April 29th, 2023 at Cascade Gardens in Yakima, at 1:00.
The post first appeared on Barton Family Funeral Service.