Obituary: Scates, Geraldine Nadine “Jeri”
She was born in the town of Chewelah, in Stevens County, WA to Wilber Pascal Ross and Pearl Marguerite (Goodman) on May 11, 1935.
Her family was some of the first settlers in Stevens County and she is a direct descendent of Jaco Finley.
She grew up in Chewelah with her brothers and sisters until her junior year in which she moved to Spokane to live with her sister.
Shortly after that she married David K. Birge of Colville on July 26, 1952.
They started their life together working very hard to make ends meet; moving 20 times in 10 years.
The kids came, Ken in 1953, Scott in 1955, Becky in 1958 and Deanna in 1962.
Their life was surrounded by growing kids and everyday life.
They were later divorced.
She married Joe Scates of Valley, WA on December 18, 1981.
She found her soul mate in Joe; she was so happy and loved.
Jeri was a homemaker until her children were old enough to take care of themselves; she then went to night school to get her GED and to become a professional secretary.
She accomplished both.
Her first job was with an architect firm in the Spokane Valley.
She worked for many years as a secretary and worked for Stevens County as the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners.
Jeri loved painting, golf, having fun at the casino and her family.
She loved every day with Joe whether they were going golfing, taking an evening drive to count the deer or to go out to the lake for dinner.
She was so happy and thankful for Joe and her life with him.
She lived the rest of her life in Chewelah the home of her birth and the home of her family heritage.
She is the last of the Bill Ross Clan.
She will be greatly missed by all those fortunate to have known her.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Wilber and Pearl; her brothers: Bill, Donald, Edwin and Robert; sisters: Dorothy (Traaen, Clark), Betty (Pierce) and Ruth (Thayer).
Left behind to treasure her in their memories are her children: Kenneth J. Birge “Ken” and Rita of Hauser Lake, ID, Douglas “Scott” Birge and Maria of Spokane Valley, WA, Rebecca A.
“Becky” (Birge) Cooper and Lewie of Wenatchee, WA and Deanna K. “Dee” (Birge) Sasse Post Falls, ID, Jay D. Scates of Chewelah, Joe “Jo Jo” A. Scates Jr. and Sue of Chewelah, Martin “Marty” W. Scates of Spokane; grand- children: Amy Birge, Ken Birge Jr. and Sara, Casey Cooper, Josh Cooper, Chelsea Cooper, David Birge, Andy Sasse, Cori (Scates) Fuller and Ken, Fawn (Scates) Scott and Willy, Ryan Scates, Sarah Scates, and Matt Scates, Edison and Daniela; great-grandchildren: Jack, Ben, and Owen Dewitt, Eva Cooper; Abby, Bailey and Charlie Suller and many other family and friends.
Viewing will be held Friday, December 21, 2012 at Danekas Funeral Chapel, 402 E. Main, Chewelah, between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. A graveside service will be held for family and close friends on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Chewelah; Rev.
Dan Work officiating.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2012 at the Chewelah Golf and Country Club, Club House, 2537 Sand Canyon Road Chewelah, WA 99109.
Services will be officiated by Rev.
Dan Work of the Chewelah Evangelical Free Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Danekas Funeral Chapel, 402 E. Main, Chewelah, WA.
99109, (509) 935 8411.
Please visit Jeri’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com