Geraldine “Gerry” Atwood

Geraldine “Gerry” Atwood, longtime resident of Oak Harbor, died at Island Hospital in Anacortes on December 26, 2012, at age 89.

She was born Aug. 2, 1923 in Hawarden, Iowa to Gysbert and Alberdena (Roelofs) VandeWerfhorst, and moved with her parents to Oak Harbor in 1933. Gerry graduated from Oak Harbor in 1941 and worked in the local post office for three years until her marriage to Austin Atwood in 1944. After his service in the Army they moved to Seattle, and then to Holland, Mich., for his study to become a minister. Together they served churches in Bristow and Hawarden, Iowa; Edwards Air Force Base, California and Yakima, Washington. They later resided in Puyallup, where Gerry skillfully performed as a receiving clerk for the Bon Marche distribution center for many years. She returned to Oak Harbor in her retirement.

Gerry is survived by two children: Roger and wife Kay of Vancouver, Wash. and Duane and wife Karen of West Bountiful, Utah; also, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two siblings: Jo Ernst and husband Chris, and Janet Fikse and husband Gerald, both of Oak Harbor; as well as numerous

nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Austin and son Warren; also by four siblings: Frank VandeWerfhorst, Minnie Riepma, Marie VanDyk and Retta Baan.

A memorial service was held 2 p.m. Friday at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor.

Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, 250 SW 3 Ave. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.