Jerry Lassen

Jerry Lassen Gerald "Jerry" Lassen, 71, of Olympia, Washington, passed away in his home on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Jerry was born in Arlington, Texas, on November 15, 1941, to parents Lloyd and Mary Lou. He attended the Universities of Texas and Wisconsin, eventually settling in Olympia in 1974. After working in the State budget office for several years, he found his calling as an educator when he joined the faculty of The Evergreen State College in 1978 as a Professor of Economics. He adored teaching, and cherished the entire Evergreen community, ultimately retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2010. Evergreen also provided more than professional fulfillment: in 1995, he married Catherine "Kitty" Parker, whom he met at the College, and with whom he shared nearly 20 years of love and joyful friendship. Jerry's interests ranged from chess to sports to poker, but above all else he cherished good conversation and shared experiences. He was particularly devoted to his mother, who passed away in 2003, and his brother Bill. As he struggled in recent years with Alzheimer's, and later cancer, he remained steadfastly upbeat and grateful for the many loving people in his life. Jerry will be greatly missed by his loving wife Kitty; brother Bill; children Eric and Anne and their mother Ginny; step-daughter Jennifer Rose; doted-upon grandchildren Jonas, Molly, Sophie and Jasper; cousin Ellen; extended family and countless friends, colleagues and former students, all of whom will remember his kindness and immense generosity of spirit. A memorial celebration of Jerry's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Evergreen State College, Seminar II, Building A, Room 1107. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Jerry's name to the David L. Hitchens Scholarship at Evergreen: http://give.evergreen.edu/scholarships.html#hitchens. Online remembrances may be left at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.