Obituary: Boy, Vera Elizabeth (Gerke)
Vera was born in Palouse, WA to E.J.
Gerke and Cora (Pike) Gerke.
Her family farmed near Freeman, WA where she grew up and later graduated from Rockford High School in 1933.
In September 1937, Vera married Gale Boy of Freeman at her aunt and uncle’s home in Walla Walla.
They farmed in the Freeman area and raised three children: Marilyn, Della, and Robert.
In 1963, Gale and Vera moved to Valleyford, WA where they remodeled an old farmhouse and where Vera would live for more than 30 years.
In 1993, she built a home on the South Hill in Spokane, where she lived independently for 18 years.
Vera was a dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be remembered for her good humor, sharp wit, and strong determination.
She kept close track of and cared for a large, growing family.
Vera loved to cook for her family, enjoyed holidays - especially Halloween - travelled often, and always enjoyed a good adventure.
Very outgoing and social by nature, Vera was active in many organizations and clubs during her lifetime.
They include the Rockford School PTA, Neighborhood Grange, AARP’s Spokane Valley Chapter, the Women’s Association of Heritage Congregational Church, Freeman Homemakers Club, the Sharon Women’s Club, Spokane College Women’s Association, Corbin Center, Rockford Historical Society, and Spokane Valley Methodist Church Couples Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gale, her sister Roberta Goldsmith, and a grandson Brad Marlow.
She is survived by daughters, Marilyn Marlow and husband Jerry, Post Falls, ID, Della Emtman and husband Roy, Valleyford, WA; and son Robert Boy of Kennewick, WA.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Randy Emtman, Debbie Campbell, Brian Marlow, Sharon Trumble, Jeff Emtman, Barry Marlow, Becky Seidel, Rob Boy and Ron Boy, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 9, from 4-8 p.m. at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 10, at Thornhill Valley Chapel.
Memorials may be sent to the Rockford Historical Society, PO Box 32, Rockford, WA 99030, in lieu of flowers.