I worked only one day a week at the museum to start. I was still working for the county only now the department was changed to the Office for the Aging and I was working three days a week including summers. I loved the job and stayed with it 27 years until the program was cut during budget cuts in the late 90's. 

 

 

 

     Because of my interest in dolls and sewing I also just wrote a book published by Schroeder Publishing Co. titled The "Encyclopedia of Children's Sewing Collectibles", so lately I have been busy  promoting and selling the book.

 

 

I can hardly believe it has been 50 years since we all walked down the aisle ending our life as high school students and into the world as adults.

 

Following graduation I attended EWC for a year followed by working two years at Saxon’s Sewing Center. There is such a thing called money that colleges require, and since I was paying my own way, I had to work between my years in college. Following my years at Saxon’s I went to CBC, then to WSU. Money ran out again and it was back to work, this time for American Oil Company, then for the City of Walla Walla as Secretary for Director of Finance/City Clerk.

 

At a Grange Christmas Party in 1964 I met someone I had probably passed many times in the halls at Wa-Hi but had no idea who he was – Marvin Gerking. We were married in 1966. In 1968 our son, Allan, was born and I was fortunate enough to be a “stay-at-home” mom.

 

Marvin worked for the Forest Service so promotions required moving. In 1969 we moved to Heppner, Oregon, and were there for four years. During that time our daughter, Julie, was born. In 1973 we moved to Sitka, Alaska and I worked in the school district as a paraprofessional. In 1977 we moved to our present home in Blanchard, ID. That was a “temporary” move but we are still here.

 

Shortly after moving here I went to work as the Secretary of our church. I was there 14 years when Marv’s job was phased out and we were notified we would be moving again – this time to southern California. That was not an option for us as we did not want to leave the northwest. There was an opening at a place called Amboy, WA, (at the base of Mt. St. Helens). We moved there for a year, then it was retirement time for Marv and we moved back home. When we returned home I went to work as Office Manager of the Newport-Oldtown Chamber of Commerce for ten years. In 2006 I retired and have been so busy I don’t know when I ever had time to work.

 

We have two grandsons, Cory, age 11 and Trevor, age 7 who live only eight miles from us. We are fortunate that they live close enough for us to see them frequently.

 

Hobbies and Activities: While in Heppner I began decorating cakes. Through the years that became almost a full time job but have since given it up. I specialized in wedding cakes. I also served as Wedding Coordinator of our church. We square danced for many years before the knees said that was enough. We are both very active in The Order of the Eastern Star. A Masonic related organization. We have a 5^th-wheel travel trailer and enjoy camping with our NCT (National Camping Travelers) group. We own three acres on the Pend Oreille River and like to take the 5^th wheel there just to relax, watch the grass grow and the water flow by. I collect angels and at times feel the house might take wing and fly for all the angels I have.

 

An evening with a glass of wine and playing cards with good friends - what more can a person ask for? Life is Good.

When I graduated from high school I went to work in the bookkeeping department at Tum-A-Lum Lumber Co.   In 1962 they downsized so I went to work in the bookkeeping department at Seattle First Bank. In 1963 I met my future husband, Gary Buff, and we married in August, 1964. He was in the Navy, stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In April 1965, Guantanamo was opened up for dependents to be able to go over there. I left the bank and joined Gary in Key West, Florida for three months while he went to school. We then left for Gitmo for 18 months. I worked for the Public Works Department as a clerk typist. In December 1966 we were transferred to Rhode Island for two years. I worked in the accounting department for Leesona Corporation. Gary received orders for sea duty stationed out of Hawaii. I was expecting our son in July of 1969, so I flew home to Walla Walla and stayed with my family. After Gary was discharged in November 1969 we lived in Walla Walla and Seattle for a short time and then moved to Portland. I worked as a clerk typist for the IRS. In 1971, Gary and I divorced and I moved back to Walla Walla. I went to work then for Sherwood and Roberts in their accounting department. I needed more pay so in February 1974 I went to work for Mojonnier and Sons doing their payroll. Also at that time I met my husband, Jim Godfrey. We married in June 1974. He had three daughters. In 1969 Mojonniers liquidated. In 1990 I took a temporary job for a year in the cost accounting department at D & K. Then sometime in 1991 I took another temporary job for a year for Pioneer Title. After their fire they needed help cleaning their files and then I entered data on the computer. After that Jim and I did some traveling in our 5^th wheel. In 1998 we managed the RV Park on Dalles Military Road. Jim passed away in October 2002. They needed a couple for that job so I retired.

 

My hobbies are reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and cooking.

 

I always wanted to go to France since I was 17, so in 2004 my dream came true.