Geraldine Mae Sylvester

SALEM - Gerrie was born in Lynch, Nebraska to Johann (Hannis) and Alyce (Rhode) Paulsen. The family moved from the dust bowl to Oregon in 1936 where she graduated from Independence High School. After a year at Pacific University, she took a secretarial job with the Secretary of State in Salem. She met Wilfred (Pete) Sylvester of Harvester, Missouri at a church dinner while he was visiting an uncle in Independence. They became pen pals while Pete served in the Army Air Corps in India. After the war Pete got a job with the lumber division of Oregon Pulp and Paper the day after arriving in Salem. They dated and then were married Feb. 14, 1947. Two sons were born to the couple in Salem before Pete was transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada to manage Opaco Lumber. There another son and two daughters were born to the couple. After 11 years on the desert, they returned to the Northwest. In 1967 they bought Pete’s Lumber in Seaview, Washington where Gerrie helped out with sales and bookkeeping until the couple retired. They then became snowbirds, finally settling on Yuma as their winter retreat.

Gerrie learned to sew from her mother and later took advanced courses in tailoring. She was a skilled home canner and a great cook. She was active in the church, quilting comforters and creating adult bibs for charity. She loved to garage sale where she collected plates, dishes and vases for a consignment booth in an antique mall. She and Pete also worked with Laborers for Christ and assisted church and school construction in the Southwest.

Gerrie is survived by her husband Pete, sons Stan (Carol), Steve (June), Dave (Christina) and daughters Sandi (Bill George) and Sony (Merle Acampora), eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held 1 pm Dec 3 at St. John’s Lutheran, 1350 NE Court in Salem. Donations in memory may be made to Yuma Lutheran School, 2555 S. Engler Ave, Yuma AZ, 85365. Arrangements by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home, online at www.HED-FH.com.