Geraldine Kay Weythman

March 24, 1944-Jan. 26, 2025

Geraldine Kay (Blomgren) Weythman joined her Savior, Jesus Christ, her beloved husband of 53 years, Gary O. Weythman and their son Grant Weythman, in eternal glory, on January 26, 2025 at Avista Senior Living in Spokane, WA.

Geraldine (known by most as Gerri) was born the 5th of seven children to Daniel L. & Elizabeth O. (Wright) Blomgren in Chewelah, WA. She had many fond memories of roaming the wooded hills around her Cottonwood area home, with numerous extended family members and friends. She recalled falling asleep in her childhood home with the soothing sound of a creek running under the house and not having an indoor toilet till after graduating high school. Gerri graduated from Chewelah High School in 1962.

She was the first in her family to obtain a college degree, receiving a BS in Home Economics from Washington State University in 1966. During summers, Gerri baked pies at Whistlin Jack Lodge on Chinook Pass to help pay for college. Life in college was not all hard work however. Gerri enjoyed an active social life, and eventually crossed paths with the shy young man who would become the love of her life, Gary Weythman, a young civil engineer student who had been keeping an eye on the home economics department for a potential wife. They were married on June 4, 1966 and soon afterwards left the country for their first married adventure, volunteering in Laos for the International Volunteer Service. While Gary worked on engineer projects, Gerri built relationships with local families and taught English, something she would continue to do years later with Laotion immigrants in the US. Two years later, they returned to the US where they purchased a farm near Baker City, OR. Together, Gerri & Gary worked outside jobs with the mutual dream of someday farming full time. Between 1968 and 1977, they added 5 children to the family: Joanne, Grant, Peggy, Kirby and Thane.

During this time, Gerri gave her life to Christ. Soon after Gary became a Christian as well. After much prayer and consideration, they decided to serve overseas on the mission field in Papua New Guinea. This decision led to several years of adjustments that involved traveling cross country with a family of 7 in a travel trailer, speaking in churches across the USA, experiencing survival training and cross-cultural life in Mexico for 2 months. For Gerri, this meant living in cramped quarters, juggling home-schooling, keeping kids contained and entertained for many hours on the road, making many picnic baskets for road trips, guiding the family through cultural adjustments, and facing her fear of water and public speaking. In 1984, after years of fundraising and missionary training, the family finally departed for Papua New Guinea. Gerri cherished her time in PNG and the many friends made during her time there. Many years later, she would still tell stories of the family’s time in PNG and her face would light up with the mention of friends from that time in her life.

In 1991, Gerri & Gary returned to the US with their 3 youngest children, Peggy, Kirby & Thane (Joanne & Grant having graduated high school and returned to the US prior to 1991). They sold the farm in Baker City, OR and relocated to Valley, WA, where they bought a 300-acre historic farm. Over the 30+years they lived in Valley, Gerri & Gary worked in united partnership to develop their farm as certified organic, raising Angus cattle and raising up to 12 acres of vegetables for market. Gerri was an influential part of establishing and growing the farmer’s markets in both Chewelah and Colville. She had a wealth of knowledge in sustainable and organic gardening and had an insatiable desire to learn/implement new

gardening methodology. She was a mentor and inspiration to many who would take up the mantle after she retired from farmer’s markets.

Thirteen grandchildren were added to the family during the Valley years, all of whom have special memories of the times spent on Grandma & Grandpa Weythman’s Farm. Later, 6 great grandchildren would join the family. Gerri’s greatest pleasures in life revolved around her unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ, her family and her farm. Her sound advice and welcoming energy affected many young people who would never forget her influence in their lives.

Gerri is survived by her daughter Joanne (Brian) Butler of Priest Lake, ID; daughter-in-law Sabrina Weythman of Evansville, IN; daughter Peggy Doyle of Killeen, TX; son Kirby (Katie) of Chewelah, WA; and son Thane (Aurora) Weythman of Belt, MT. Thirteen grandchildren: Edward Butler (Boise, ID); Michelle Butler (Boise, ID); Tyler Eoff (Spokane, WA); Monica Eoff (Spokane, WA); Piper Weythman (Evansville, IN); Logan, Natalie, Devon, Chance, Bryson & Aliyah Weythman (Chewelah, WA); and Raiden, Ernest, & Reese Weythman (Belt, MT). Six Great Grandchildren: Brennan & Noah Butler (Boise, ID); Avery & Oliver Butler (Boise, ID); Emma & Edwin Eoff (Spokane, WA)

Details regarding services for Geraldine will be announced at a later date.