Phyllis Ethel Rakevich

She was 84 years old, born in Edmonton, Alberta to Victor and Nellie Knaak and moved to Malone, Washington in second grade. She attended Elma High School and left school early when she married the love of her life Robert (Bob) Rakevich, then obtained her GED. She was still close with many of her classmates and boasted the Class of 1960 as the best! She became a US Citizen at 21. Phyllis and Robert had two children, Barbara and John. Bob took a job as an Electronics Engineer with a company that had them moving to new places all over the country until they settled down and bought the Montgomery Ward store in Elma, WA, the town where both were raised. Phyllis and Bob worked together in their many business endeavors since then. Phyllis was also a past owner of the Olympia Bridge Club.

Phyllis and Bob were both avid bridge players. They met many friends all over the country playing bridge and Phyllis taught on cruise ships in their retirement. She and Bob were able to see the world. Phyllis was particularly accomplished at bridge. She achieved Platinum Life Master in 2019 and only needed a national title to earn Grand Master. She had over 10,900 points which ranked her in the top .72% of all players in ACBL worldwide dead or alive. She also enjoyed semi-gourmet cooking, crocheting, knitting and reading.

Phyllis was very close with her two children Barbara and John, her bridge friends, her former classmates and first cousins who will miss her very much. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Rakevich in 2011, and siblings Ruth Carr, Roy Knaak and Doris Giesy. The family invites you to celebrate the life of Phyllis Rakevich on Saturday, December 12 at 11:00 am at the Eagles Landing Clubhouse in Tumwater on Trosper Rd.