Gerd Waagen

Waagen, Gerd, born in Gursken, Norway, on June 5, 1925. A longtime resident of Ballard, WA, and current resident of Seattle, passed away at the age of 100 years and 9 months peacefully in her home and into the arms of the Lord on March 3, 2026.

Gerd’s life began on the fjords of Gursken, Norway, where she endured the perils of the WWII Nazi occupation as a young woman, relying on faith and resilience. Following the war, she emigrated to the US with her brother, Sverre, utilizing their father’s US military citizenship. After a heartbreaking arrival to news of their father’s heart attack and subsequent death, six months later, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, the siblings moved on to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to find work and take English classes. When her brother was drafted into the Korean War, Gerd forged her own path, working in Glacier National Park before settling in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, an area filled with many fellow Norwegians, where she worked as a senior mortgage loan processor for many years.

Thrifty and self-sufficient, Gerd never married, choosing instead to garden, crochet, and take occasional trips to Las Vegas. She maintained close ties to her Norwegian roots, frequently visiting family in Norway and Sweden, and stayed connected with her brother’s family in Minnesota. She lived without a car, relying on public transportation and saving extensively, which allowed her to live comfortably and securely. In her later years, she moved to the Norse Home to simplify her life, but when that facility closed for renovations, she took the abrupt change in stride, moving into Aegis Living Greenwood with a positive attitude.

Gerd’s long life—reaching 100 years and 9 months—was defined by good health, a strong Christian faith, and a daily walk. Despite a hip replacement in her late eighties and surviving COVID-19, she remained strong, healthy and cancer-free until recovery from a stroke wasn’t possible.

Her 100th birthday was happily celebrated with family from Minnesota, Sweden and local friends, where she cheerfully shared stories from her past. Known for her friendly, bubbly demeanor, she lived a full, independent and well-traveled life, leaving behind a legacy of a life well-lived.

Preceded in death by Gyda and Gabriel Waagen (parents), Ellie Brevik (sister), Sverre Waagen (brother), Petra Marie Claesson (sister), Linda Hamilton (niece), Michael Clausen (nephew), Jon Inga Brevik (nephew), Sverre Brevik (nephew) and Danton Gunter (grandnephew).

Nieces and Nephews: Rose Marie (Dennis Bartholow) Meuwissen, Norman (Karen) Waagen, Sonja (Andrew) Gunter, Paul Waagen, Richard (Nancy Adams) Waagen, Rose-Marie Claesson, Gunilla Claesson. Grandnieces and Grandnephews: Shane Meuwissen (Ricci-Lee Hotz), Tiffany (Travis) Warford, Cassandra (James) Papin, John Hamilton IV, Christina (Geoff) Deemer, Bryan Hamilton, Blaze Waagen, Aubrey (Donald) Bennell, Travis (Jamie) Pfeiffer, Richard Waagen II, Mercedes (Tom) Smith, Tryg Waagen, Simon Claesson Holmskar, Sanna Holmskar, Nathalie Olsson, Mikaela Olsson, Caroline Tracey, Alexander Claesson, William Claesson, Linda Nybak; and twelve great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

Funeral service on Thursday, March 12, at 12 noon will be held at Lifetime Celebrations Funeral Home located at 18224-103rd Ave NE, Bothell, WA, to celebrate her life with a brief viewing opportunity after the service and a reception immediately following at the same location. A short burial ceremony will be held at 2:45 p.m. at the cemetery, located at Abbey View Memorial Park, 3601 Alaska Rd, Brier, WA.