Vera Louise Garner

Vera Louise Garner passed away on September 27, 2024, after a short illness in the hospital in Lacey, WA. She was one month from celebrating her 90th birthday. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Ray Garner of Lacey, a daughter, Katherine Louise Storms (Bill) of Chehalis, and a son David Ray (Tamara) of Tumwater, two brother’s Theodore Murphy (Patty) of Winlock, Dennis Murphy (Donna) of Longview, three grandchildren, Elizabeth Garner (Chris Sworen) of Hillsboro, OR, Robert Garner (Christina) of Tumwater, and Andrea Garner(Cary Barto) of Lacey, and three great grandchildren, Daemon, Alyss and Jonathan Garner of Hillsboro, OR, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents Earl Robert Murphy, Sr. and Idaho Baker, and one brother Earl Robert Murphy, Jr.  She was born at home in Ethel, WA on October 23, 1934. 

Louise met her husband Ray through her cousin while attending a football game at Toledo High School. That was it. They dated two years.  Ray was drafted and he joined the Airforce. They decided to get married before he left for boot camp, and married on February 29, 1952, at her parent’s home in Onalaska. She graduated from High School three months later in June and joined her new husband in Amarillo, TX where Ray was stationed. Ray was then transferred to Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois where they remained for the next four years. Louise worked for Metropolitan Insurance in Elmhurst, IL, then after Ray was discharged, they returned to Washington in 1956. 

Louise loved to travel with Ray. They visited all over the United States and took a couple cruises to Alaska and a river boat cruise on the Mississippi River. They also camped, hiked and backpacked all around Mt. Rainier. Hurricane Ridge was one of her favorite spots. She was very good at planning vacations while spending hours poring over her many maps. She was a farmer at heart and enjoyed growing a garden and flowers. She also enjoyed crocheting, watching her favorite game shows, crossword puzzles and reading. She was a quick study and liked to learn the new technology. She and Ray enjoyed going to the casino in their later years. She had many theories on how to win, but no matter, it was fun.  

Louise worked outside the home and retired in 1994 from Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia as a Medical Claims Examiner. In 2004 They moved to Centralia, then in 2016 moved to Chehalis to live next door to their daughter and son-in-law for the last eight years. They just recently moved to assisted living in Lacey near their son and daughter-in-law. 

A Celebration of Life will be held for Louise on October 23, 2024, in Lacey, WA at Bonaventure of Lacey assisted living from 1:00-5:00pm.  

Mom will be greatly missed, but she has left us with much love and many happy memories to last us for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Mom!