Obituary of Geraldine Joyce Bethke

Geraldine (Gerry) Joyce Bethke passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on September 6th, 2013. She had just recently moved from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz and was getting settled in at her new home at La Posada, an independent senior living facility where she was making many new friends. Gerry was born on February 20th, 1931 in Havre, Montana. Her mother Elvina Erickson was from Chicago, and came from a proud immigrant family from Norway, and her father Andrew Bliss was a horseman and farmer whose family came from England. Due to a severe hip injury her father incurred while breaking a wild bronco, the family moved to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to be closer to the therapeutic hot springs that helped relieve his chronic pain. They lived frugally running a boarding house and canning vegetables from their own garden. Although Gerry talked about how difficult her early family life had been, she relished the simple life and the incredible love that her family shared. Gerry had two brothers (Howard and Stan) - who are predeceased - and three sisters (Mildred and Gene) - who are predeceased - (and Ruby) - who lives half the year in Idaho and the other half in Texas. Gerry was very close with her siblings and loved to cook and travel with her sisters. She was especially close to Gene who lived in California and would often "get into trouble" with her during their travels. They swapped stories with the family about their travels that left her children and grandchildren laughing each time, and wondering how they had survived some of their experiences. Gerry met her husband (Dean Bethke) at a dance in Pocatello, Idaho and soon had four beautiful children - Michael Bethke of Santa Cruz, Patrick Bethke of Idaho, Wendy Valencia of Diamond Bar (deceased) and Mark Bethke of Los Angeles (deceased). Gerry's husband Dean was a decorated Navy Veteran, and passed away from cancer in 1979. Gerry's children and grandchildren were the love of her life. Nothing in the world was more important to her, and nothing gave her more satisfaction than to talk about the accomplishments of all her "kids." She meticulously kept every letter and card, school report cards, craft projects and numerous pictures testifying to her love of her family. Gerry worked as an escrow officer in downtown Los Angeles for 25 years and worked nights while raising her family. She was fortunate to purchase a condo near Pasadena where she became good friends with her neighbors Rose, Sam, and Pat. Gerry's hobbies included quilting, needle point, researching her family's Norwegian heritage, and constantly updating her Facebook page and corresponding with her Facebook "friends." Gerry was especially proud of her adventurous trip to Norway years ago with her sisters Gene and Ruby, and was fascinated to learn more about their family roots. (They discovered they were direct descendants of the famed Norse Viking "Eric the Red" and his son Leif Erickson - the true discoverer of America in the year 1000 AD.) A simple memorial service will be held at the El Monte United Methodist Church on September 28th at 11:00AM, and will be officiated by the family's long-time minister Dr. Kimball Coburn. In lieu of flowers or donations, and in remembrance of Gerry, the Bethke family would only ask that you set aside some time each day and love a family member or friend as if it were your last day together on earth. "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18