Christine Margaret Gerke
July 19, 1948 - June 10, 2018
Chris passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was the beloved daughter of Earl and Betty (Mahn) Richardson. She was born in Spokane, WA, attended Catholic school until the 8th and then graduated from North Central High School. She had two children, and then attended Eastern Washington University where she got her bachelor's degree in Social Work, which would end up being her life’s work. This is where she met her second husband Bill Gerke, who she spent nearly 40 years with. Soon after they moved to Weston, Or, and made their final home in Walla Walla, WA.
Chris was very passionate about her work, which led her to start her own non-profit, Cascade-Blue Mountain Food Share where she at times moved 1,000,000 pounds of food in a year to various food banks around the state. She had 1,000's of volunteers throughout her career and had a knack for uniting people.
Her friends call her Queenie, a name she did not take lightly. She was very proud of her family, especially her grandchildren, they were her pride and joy. She instilled in her children to follow her example to go to college and was very proud that they both followed suit.
Chris will be remembered for her infectious cackle, sharp wit, sharp tongue, brutal honesty, and the ability to "smell a rat" a mile away. But most of all, she will be remembered for her family and close friends.
She is survived by by her husband, Bill of 39 years, and two children, Terry Carpenter (Misty), and Janna White (John). She is survived by five grandchildren, Connor, Kylie, Brayden, Fisher and Victoria, as well as several nieces, nephews,great nieces and nephews and six siblings: Marv Richardson, Joanne Babin, Paul Richardson (Julie), Tom Richardson (Candy), and Renae Dehle (Bob).
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Betty, and her beloved sister Kathleen, as well as her in-laws, Roger and Grace Gerke.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite local charity. There will be a graveside service at Moran Prairie Cemetery, Friday, June 15, 2018 at 2:00pm. All are welcome.
There will also be a celebration of Chris' life on July 21st at Mom's warehouse, 351 S. 3rd Ave in Walla Walla Washington at 2:00pm. Please join us.
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