Bertha Belle Griffin Wakefield

Bertha was born to Emerald and Laura Griffin in Lebam, Washington, on March 3, 1932. She passed away December 26, 2016 in Olympia, Washington at the age of 84. She is survived by her sister, Emily Easton; brothers, Glenn Griffin and Clarence (Jerry) Griffin; daughter, Patricia A. Jezek; grandchildren, April Williams, Ann M. Redenbaugh, Barbara “Barbie” J. Rodrigues, Tina Jenkins, and Christal L. Kaeding; 10 grandchildren, Brittany R. Williams, Alvin J. Williams, Kevin E. Terwillerger, Jeremiah Terwilleger, Dylan Terwilleger, Trenton Redenbaugh, Gage D. Jenkins, Sean C. Jenkins, Crista-Shyann L. Kaeding, and Douglas Kaeding; and four great grandchildren, Hayden L. Heikell, Lyla W.R. Heikell, Norah Traphofner, and Haley Terwillerger; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by husbands, David A. Olson, Robert William “Bill” Wakefield; her parents, Emerald and Laura Griffin; sister, Thelma Strunk; brothers, Ernest Griffin, Henry Griffin and James Griffin; grandsons, Craig D. Olson-Crow and James D. Crow; and aunts, Florence, Frieda, and Stella. She was married to Harold Erickson (1952-1952), David A “Ole” Olson (1960-1973), and R. William “Bill” Wakefield (1974-1991). Bertha worked as an in-home Nanny for different families in the 50s; an oyster opener for the canary in South Bend, Washington in the 1950s; as a waitress in the 1960s; a waitress, dishwasher and baker for the Ming Tree in Shelton, WA, in the 1960s; at a rest home in Shelton 1960s; at Rocky Bay Nursing as an aide, cook, baker 1960s to 1970s; at Jubitz truck stop in Portland in the 1970s-1980s; at Fred Meyers for 17 years as a baker and cake decorator; at Day One Treatment facility; at an assisted living facility from which she retired as a cook and baker; as well as cared for her sister, Thelma Strunk, until Thelma’s death, and for her brother-in-law, Charles Strunk, until her own death. Bertha lived in the Washington cities of Bay Center, South Bend, Raymond, Shelton, Gig Harbor, and Camas. She traveled to Montana for summers for many years, flew to Sacramento once, and went gambling in Reno and Vegas. She loved to sew clothes and used to make a lot of Patricia’s clothes and matching doll clothes. Baking was a passion; she made some of the first Barbie Doll cakes for her daughter. She loved fuchsia hanging baskets and, at times, would have several of them. For a number of years, she helped raise Samoyed puppies. She loved animals, especially cats and dogs. She was very loved by family and friends. Please leave memories of Bertha or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.