Gerd E. Bjorseth

Gerd Bjorseth Obituary

Gerd E. BJORSETH 12/16/1924 ~ 11/12/2011 Gerd was born December 16, 1924 in Oslo, Norway to Alf and Reidun Naess where she spent an idyllic childhood surrounded by loving family members. During her teenage years, she served in the home front armed forces when Norway was under German occupation during WWII. She attended business school in Oslo. She traveled to Seattle when she was 23 years old to marry Leif Bjorseth. They moved to Bellevue, and raised 4 children: Ann, Rondi, Roald and Franklin. When the kids were all in school, she began her retail career selling men's sportswear and furnishings, first at Gibson and Soots in Bellevue, then for Nordstrom. Gerd was famous for her outstanding customer service! There was never a more loyal Nordstrom employee! After retirement, she moved to Sun City, Arizona, where she relaxed in the warm sun for several years. In 2005, she moved back to the north west to be closer to her family.Her final 6 years were spent at Aegis of Shoreline retirement community. She loved it there! Gerd is survived by her sister, Reidun Schlanbusch of Oslo, her four children and three grandchildren: Ann Bjorseth of Toronto, Canada and her daughter Daniela; Rondi Boskovich of Tacoma; Roald Bjorseth (Laura Larkin) and their sons Daniel and William of Seattle; and Dr.Franklin Bjorseth of Anacortes, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 18th at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 14514 20th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA, 98155, (206) 363-8100. We would like to thank the loving and compassionate women at Aegis and Group Health Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Gerd. Please send donations in her memory to Northwest Harvest (www.northwestharvest.org). Sign Gerd's on-line Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Nov. 16, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerd Bjorseth

8 Entries

Frank Childers

December 6, 2011

I apologize for my tardiness but I too was so saddened to hear of Gerd's passing. I worked with Gerd at Nordstrom for many years and had the pleasure of bumping into her on her visits back to Seattle. I will always remember what a wonderful and happy spirit she was. And a go-getter in her own right as well. She still brings a smile to my face.

November 22, 2011

Gerd was so gracious; she always made me feel special and welcome. Thank you cousins, for sharing her! Love you, Brita

Ben Swerk

November 22, 2011

Gerd was a great person. My Mom Carol Swerk worked with her for many years at Nordstrom's and they were very good friends. Gerd always treated my sister and I like grandkids. I have fond memories of spending time with her when we would pick her up and go to lunch at the Coffee Stua along with seeing her for the holidays and birthdays. I wish we could have been at the memorial service last week but we were out of town. Gerd will be missed greatly by the ones that loved her but I know she is in a better place.

Karol Kruse

November 19, 2011

Conversations with a dear friend have come to a close for now, but memories live on. Times in the church kitchen making soup for the Lenten soup suppers and other church functions come to mind, Also fun times cheering on the Shorecrest basketball team in the Tacoma Dome and the women's and men's basketball teams at the UW, and while visiting Gerd in AZ cheering the Mariner's on at spring training. Gerd was recognized over and over by other fans in the stands. She enjoyed so many church and other community activities. There was so much to see and do and Gerd did it with zest.

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Leslie Sacha

November 17, 2011

Gerd was a good friend of my late mother, Helen (Holly) Ness/Oien Sacha, a fellow Norwegian. I have warm memories of visiting the Bjorseth Bellevue home as a child in the late 1950's. I recall being treated royally to wonderful cookies and I was made to feel so welcome whenever greated by my mother's friend. As an adult, I would drop by to say hi and visit briefly with Gerd over the many years she worked at Nordstrom's (I also worked downtown for several decades). It was always cheering to talk with her. She was a wonderful, positive, intelligent, gracious woman. Gerd was also a good friend to my (mothers) cousin Grace Ness. Your mom's brightness will be deeply missed. Condolences to Ann, Rondi, Roald and Franklin.

Jim Hale

November 17, 2011

Aunt Gerd was a GREAT aunt.

November 17, 2011

We were sad to learn of the recent passing of Gerd. Gerd was one of the first residents our mother, Marthabelle Paulson, met when she moved to Aegis just over three years ago. Gerd remained a lovely friend and my sister and I enjoyed talking with her in the lobby of Aegis, or at the many activities we attended while mom was there. We send our deepest sympathy to your family. We know how difficult it is to say goodbye.

Karen Kirschner
Lynn Shinnick

Marthabelle's daughters

Peggy Hilton

November 16, 2011

I read about Gerd's passing in today's Seattle Times and feel very bad that I will be unable to attend the service on Friday. It's so difficult to say goodbye to those who have been such an important part in our lives. My thoughts are with you all.

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