Geraldine K. WEYTHMAN

1944 - 2025

March 24, 1944 - January 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 fifth of seven children to Daniel L. and 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 hardwork, 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 U.S. Two years later, they returned to the U.S. where they purchased a farm near Baker City, OR. Together, Gerri and Gary worked outside jobs with the mutual dream of someday farming full-time. Between 1968 and 1977, they added five 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 seven in a travel trailer, speaking in churches across the USA, experiencing survival training and cross-cultural life in Mexico for two 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 and Gary returned to the U.S. with their three youngest children, Peggy, Kirby, and Thane (Joanne and Grant having graduated high school and returned to the U.S. 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 and 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 and Grandpa Weythman's Farm. Later, six 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, and Aliyah Weythman (Chewelah, WA); and Raiden, Ernest, and Reese Weythman (Belt, MT). Six great-grandchildren: Brennan and Noah Butler (Boise, ID); Avery and Oliver Butler (Boise, ID); and Emma and Edwin Eoff (Spokane, WA).

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