BOMBER MEMORIAL

DERALYN ANNE FREEMAN GJERTSON ~ Class of 1966
June 11, 1948 - March 9, 2024



It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Deralyn A. Gjertson. She resided in rainy Lacey, Washington, but the sun broke through the clouds to welcome her to Heaven on March 9th, 2024. After an unexpected and quick battle with an infection, she had a peaceful ending. She was surrounded by her daughter, Annie, and Annie's best friend, Jody, who provided her comfort.

A child born on Friday is one of love and a giving heart. That is true for our beloved Deralyn, born on June 11th, 1948, to loving parents, Derald and Virginia. As a child, she was a joy to the world and enjoyed dancing, spending time with family, especially her younger sister, and watching her brother play baseball. As she grew into her teenage years, she enjoyed bowling tremendously and loved hanging out with friends. She graduated from Richland's Columbia High School in 1966 and eventually ended up in Olympia, Washington.

She worked for the state of Washington as a secretary and was introduced by a close friend to her husband, Charles. The two fell in love, and they eventually married and had a child in 1981 named Annie. Being a mother was one of the most essential parts of her life. She was an excellent mom who showed her daughter how to be kind and stressed the importance of acceptance of all people. She had a kind heart full of love. In her later years, she was in the care of a wonderful caretaker, Julietta. We all miss her dearly.

Deralyn Gjertson was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her sister, Sandy ('61) ; her father, Derald; and her mother, Virginia. She is survived by her sister, Marlene ('67); brother-in-law, Duane; nephew, David; her brother, Michael ('71); sister-in-law, Agi; nephew, Michael; daughter, Annie; Annie's partner, Donald; grandsons Micah and Eli; and many friends.

Mom, you are forever in my heart, and I will never forget your grit and kindness.

"I will love you forever. I will like you for always. As long as I'm living, my Mommy, you'll be."

Rest in peace, beautiful flower!

Services were held on March 20th, 2024, at the Woodlawn Funeral Home in Lacey, WA.

Express your thoughts and memories in the Woodlawn Funeral Home's Online Guest Book.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).