Geraldine M. 'Gerry' Berkey, 91
Geraldine M. “Gerry” Berkey, 91, passed away in Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.
Celebration of life services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, Sandpoint, Idaho. Pastor Irene Anderson will be officiating, with O.E.S. rites. There will be a catered lunch/reception at the Ponderay Events Center Following the celebration. Inurnment will be later in the Hope Cemetery family plot.
Calling hours will be from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in the funeral home.
Gerry was born in Chaseley, N.D., on Dec. 2, 1927, the daughter of George Simpson and Ruth Anna Austin.
She joined the Juvenile Grange when she was 12 and at the age of 18 joined the Subordinate Grange. She graduated from high school in Thomp-son Falls, Mont. On Dec. 3, 1949, she married Orville Berkey in Thomp-son Falls. She joined the Carnation Rebekah Lodge No. 195 in 1951., in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She would make her home in Hope, Idaho, and Clark Fork, Idaho, prior to moving to Spokane to be closer to family.
Gerry joined the Order of the Eastern Star on April 16 1955 and would remain active for 64 years. She served as Worth Matron for Martha Chapter No. 34, in Sandpoint and for Mt. Silcox No. 111 which later combined with Kathryn C.C. Johnson No. 132 in Hot Springs, Mont. She was honored to serve as the Worthy Grand Matron, for the state of Idaho 1987-1988.
She was also a member of Daughters of the Nile, and Ladies of the Oriental Shrine, of the Malac Temple both in Lewiston, Idaho.
She sold Tupperware products for 36 years and was a manager for the company.
She was active in the Hope/Clark Fork Homemakers, serving as president for many years. In the 1960s Gerry was a 4-H sewing leader.
Gerry is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Roche in Corona, Calif., and Yvette (Rob) White, in Spokane, Wash.; her grandchildren, Jennifer Berkey in Sandpoint; Shawn T. (Sarah) Berkey in Arlington, Wash., Laurel White in Spokane, Lisa (Bart) Sanborn in Spokane, Yvonne (Chris) Cluever in Spokane, and Ashley (Jeff) Shyu in Norelco, Calif.; her great-grandchildren, Samantha, Micah, Jackson, Jameson, Jonathan, Ashlynn, Charlotte, Arden, and Garrett; her brother, Lloyd (Pat) Austin in Trout Creek; her sisters, Marjorie Rawlinson in Trout Creek, Delilah Ginther in Salem, Ore., and Lutretia Sorenson in Trout Creek; also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orville; her daughter, Yvonne Berkey; her son, Douglas; and her sister, Opal Austin.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook for Gerry at offeltfuneral.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.