Geraldine Lane
March 20, 1930 – November 28, 2020
On Nov. 28, 2020, God gathered up the soul of Gerri Lane.
Geraldine Marie Edwards was born at Buena, Washington, to Stephen and Matel Edwards on March 20, 1930, joining her sisters 16-year-old Alice and 6-year-old Doris. Her first year of life was touch-and-go: she weighed less at 6 months than at birth. Heaven has a special place for the neighbor mother who graciously nursed Gerri until the family obtained a nanny goat. From childhood, Gerri manifested that same goodwill and graciousness toward others.
In 1937, the family moved to Granger, Washington, and Gerri put down roots and cultivated lifelong friendships. Graduating from Granger High School in 1948, she was active in clubs, athletics, cheerleading and orchestra, was one of the first Granger Cherry Festival princesses, enjoyed the Granger (horse) Riding Club, and attended Linfield (Oregon) College one year. Mutual friends Irene and Wayne Little introduced her to Robert “Bob” Lane and in October of 1951 they were wed at the Granger United Presbyterian Church. He adored her and she cherished him for the next 61 years. Three children were born to them: Bobby, Nancy and Rick. Their son Bobby died of an accident in 1968.
Besides helping Bob manage the family dairy/beef farm, Gerri worked at Old National Bank, was active in Eastern Star and relished teaching Sunday school at the Presbyterian Church. (After its dissolution, she attended Zillah Church of the Nazarene.) In 1960, she was recruited to be the principal’s secretary at the newly built high school and later worked as the district superintendent’s secretary, serving the community more than a quarter-century. She is remembered by faculty, staff and hundreds of former students for her knowledge, patience and perpetual smile. Always proud of the accomplishments of GHS graduates, she enthusiastically devoted many hours to the Granger Alumni Association. Gerri always looked forward to reconnecting with friends at the annual Alumni Banquet, which became the highlight of her year.
Gerri found new friends in the office staff at Wapato High School where she finished her career. Following retirement, Gerri and Bob shared adventures traveling in their camper to destinations such as Alaska, the Grand Canyon and Texas. Other journeys took her with Bob and Rich to Mexico, Germany and Portugal. In her eighth decade of life, Gerri and Bob pulled up stakes and moved to Ephrata, Washington, where she enjoyed mingling with more new friends at the Senior Center and helping at the center’s thrift store.
Gerri was preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Lane, son Robert T. Lane, parents Stephen L. Edwards and Matel (Elder) Edwards, sisters Alice Flagg and Doris Staley, nieces Virginia (Flagg) Gohm and Marilyn (Flagg) Koonce and dear friends Josephine Parton and Beverly Perry. She is survived by her children Richard Lane and Nancy Davis; her grandchildren Michaela Davis, Larissa (Davis) Castillo, Mason Yates, Mercedes Yates and Ramses Yates; her sister-in-law Marge Lane; her nephews Stephen Flagg and Kenneth I. Lane; her nieces Kit (Staley) Hill, Jan (Staley) Johnson, Carol (Staley) Lozano, Barbara (Lane) Creach and Susan (Lane) Baumann; five great-grandchildren and her bosom buddy Julare Norwood.
Much gratitude goes from friends and family to the staff at McKay Rehabilitation Center in Soap Lake who provided Gerri an opportunity to absolutely flourish during the weeks she was under their care. A hometown gathering to remember Gerri is postponed until gubernatorial restrictions are lifted, perhaps April or May 2021.
Those who wish to honor Gerri’s legacy can offer an unexpected act of kindness to someone in her name. Memorial contributions may be made to Granger Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1, Granger, WA.