Obituary of Gertrude Thompson

Gertrude Thompson Gertrude Thompson was called home to be with her Lord on Wed, April 18, after a brief illness. She was born Mar 5, 1928 to John and Emma Niemi in Aberdeen. After spending her early years In the Finnish community of East Aberdeen, her family moved to Grayland where her parents purchased land to begin a cranberry farm. She attended elementary school in Grayland and graduated from Ocosta High School. Gertrude attended the University of Washington for one year before marrying and settling in Montesano and later Aberdeen. All four children, Carol, Tom, Kimberly, and Kerri, were born and raised in Aberdeen. During those years she was a dedicated wife, mother, and full-time homemaker. She was devoted to her children and also helped her parents on their cranberry bog. Later in her family’s life, she worked in several clerical and retail jobs. Throughout her life, she stayed close to the Finnish community in Grayland and Aberdeen and was proud of her Finnish roots. She was especially dedicated to serving the Finnish community in Aberdeen, regularly visiting many of the elderly and assisting with chores, errands, etc. In 1983 she was fortunate to be able to travel to Finland to visit the relatives with whom she had kept in contact. We, her children, remember her most for her dedication to all of us and her home and her strong Christian faith. We have fond memories of our growing up in the Essex Avenue neighborhood and spending summers at Lake Nahwatzel, and our mother was an integral part of those memories. In 1999 she moved to Olympia to be nearer her daughter and granddaughter, and most recently was a resident of Panorama Convalescent Center. Gertrude is preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Sylvia Wall, from Arcadia CA. She is survived by her four children, Carol (David) Gavareski from Bellingham, Tom (Miriam) Thompson from Montesano, Kimberly (Charles) Ellwanger, and Kerri (Don) Brizzolara, all from Olympia, and 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. The family suggests contributions in Gertrude’s memory be made to Union Gospel Mission or Calvary Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, or a charity of your choice.