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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Gaertner, Edith

GAERTNER, Edith Edith Gaertner passed to God’s hands December 3, 2014.

Her life was one of bold independence and spirit and she will be missed by her daughter, Susan, married to Al Geissler, as well as by her two sisters, Peg (and Ray) Starling and Marion Smith.

Also Edith has said her “goodbyes” to Grandson Ian Geissler, wife Olga and their two daughters, granddaughter Arianna Neimanis, husband Peter and their three sons, Grandson Jeff Geissler, wife Priscilla and their three children, Grandson Dan Geissler and wife Adria.

She will be missed as well as by all the nieces and nephews and friends from Libby, Whitefish and those she has made here in Spokane.. Edith was born May 11, 1921 to Fanny and Victor Becquart in Coalgate, Oklahoma.

Edith’s work path in life motivated her many moves.

She worked in a bakery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during WWII as Rosie riveter in California, post war as a railroad telegrapher for the Great Northern on the western line between Havre, Montana and Spokane, Washington, as homemaker in Stryker, Montana and Whitefish, as self employed Avon and Shaklee representative in Whitefish, and as telegrapher again for the Burlington Northern on the same stretch of railroad across the Northwest.

She met and married her husband Richard (deceased July, 2012) as their paths crossed working as telegraphers and as a married couple they began life in Stryker, Montana, building a love of nature and outdoor sports that carried them both through many years of married life.

Always a positive and encouraging proponent of education, Edith managed to take college courses at Flathead Community College in Kalispell during her adult life, and she helped her daughter Susan finance her education, nudged her grandchildren to college educations and uplifted countless others to improve themselves and to have courage to strike forth in new directions.

She was passionate about many things in life, she loved music and art, huckleberries drove her to endless hours in sun and rain to harvest each year’s crop, and she always quoted two passages in most circumstances: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” and “Always treat your neighbors as you would treat yourself.”

The family thanks God for her 93 years amongst us here on Earth, but we have full confidence she’s with the Lord.

Thanks go to the staff of Sullivan Care Center for their exemplary care during Mom’s stay there-they were tireless to provide quality care.

As well, her “faithful visiting sister” Peg was by her side to the end.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 2 p.m. in Millwood Presbyterian Community Chapel, 3223 N. Marguerite Rd, Spokane, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edith’s honor to Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent Ave., Spokane, WA 99202.