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From: Denise Cooper
Edmonds, Washington David and Gerry were a large part of my childhood. David would practice his Karate moves on us and we loved it. It would not be uncommon for him to have three kids piling on his back trying to catch him by surprise. As an adult he helped me prepare for tests and listened to the occasional life challenges I got myself into and offered his advice. Even as an adult he would still call me kiddo.
Gerry had a very special relationship with myself and my sister. She always made time to talk to us when she was visiting my parents which was almost every week when we were children. We would meet for lunch and the occasional dinner with my sister over the years keeping up our relationship. She never had children of her own and she told me,she picked her only family and I was a part of it. This really made me feel special.
I am happy that Dave and Gerry did not wait till retirement to enjoy life. They constantly were on another adventure and truly enjoyed each other and their lives. I am sorry they had to leave this world so soon, but I know that they are together and on the most glorious adventure yet.
I was blessed to have had them in my life and they will always be in my heart unitl my final days. God Bless them both.
Denise Cooper
written on 2010-01-13 15:19:54
Post number: 20
From: Pam Nix
Lake Stevens, WA It's really hard for me to say good-by. I have known Dave & Gerry my entire life. Gerry has always been a part of it. I was her flower girl at 3 years old in a beautiful red velvet dress that I still have today. This dress has been through 3 generations of little girls. Friday nights they would come to our family home when we were kids and we knew PIE was going to be part of the evening and we would be able to beat up Dave! Think I liked tackleing more than pie ! getting older Gerry and I could get on the phone and talk for HOURS about what was going on with each other. When I graduated from high school in 79, she talked me into putting in a job application at PNB. I would go to her house and practice on her typewriter for the upcoming test. Gerry evidently put in a good word, cuz my grades and attendance sure did not get me the job ! We worked together in bell plaza for many years and we would meet up all the time to, of course, talk . When Dave and Gerry bought their little red beemer, life was their oyster. I loved seeing their pictures and hearing about what they did and what they were about to do next. I was truly heart broken when we all found out about David and Gerry. It is a sad ending to a fun loving lifestyle. I kept in contact with Gerry at Sunrise and one day she just held my hand tightly and wouldn't let go. I hope she knew me just for a minute and knew we loved her and were there for her. Miss You Much Gerry. Your at peace now.
written on 2010-01-13 13:41:10
Post number: 19
From: gary hensrude
seattle Mt fond memories of Gerri,when we children and
loved to go to the Woodland Park Zoo to run
and chase around the animal exhibits.
She loved to take photos and including
her cousins were destined to be good
photographers a good trait from our
Grandfather, who was a professional.
She enjoyed viewing old photos of the family.
we will all miss her.
written on 2009-12-19 19:21:42
Post number: 18
From: Ramona Hensrude
Everett, WA An obituary and photo of Gerry and Dave appears in the December 9, 2009 Seattle Times. It will be on their web site for one year.
written on 2009-12-09 12:10:52
Post number: 17
From: Gary Hensrude
Seattle, WA My fond memory with Gerry was when we were little children going to the Woodland Park Zoo. We would take photos of the various animals. Gerry would love to tease the animals to get their attention.
It seems to be in our genes to have a strong interest in photography. Our grandfather on our mother's side was a school teacher in Quilcene, Washington and did outdoor photography. Gerry, my brother Wayne, sister Ramona, and myself all have taken photos from a young age.
Gerry introduced me to her friends at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962. She and Dave had two friends who had a business making animals out of balloons.
Gerry will be missed by her relatives and many friends.
written on 2009-12-05 22:27:47
Post number: 16
From: Z. Alice Lynch
San Diego, CA Hard to condense almost a lifetime of memories with Gerry. She was the first friend I met when I arrived in San Diego. She was 11 and I was 12. The counselor at Roosevelt Jr. High put me in all of Gerry's classes, so she could guide me from class to class. Until my family moved to North Park, Gerry and I lived across the street from each other. We rode the bus to school together, played canasta (with 7 decks of cards) on her living room floor, and even made potholders on our small hand looms and sold them in the neighborhood.
We remained good friends through high school. She had a camera and took pictures at our senior ditch-day beach party. Those pictures have been favorites at all our high school reunion events. She was maid-of-honor in my wedding. After moving to Seattle, whenever she wanted to "dry out," she would come visit me so she could play in the sunshine of San Diego. Gerry started working as a secretary for the telephone company right out of high school in San Diego and continued in Seattle until she retired.
She stayed a few days with me each August for about 15 years so she could attend the annual Class of 58 picnic. She always took lots of pictures for our alumni photo albums. We attended all our high school reunion dinner/dances - 10th, 20th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th. We looked forward to attending our 50th reunion, also, but she became unable to travel.
Dave came with Gerry to San Diego for one visit. He thought it was too hot in San Diego; he preferred rainy Seattle. Gerry and I would often have hour-long telephone conversations. Dave would always get on the telephone for a minute because he had a joke to share with me. I always thought it was so wonderful that Gerry and Dave were so compatible. They really enjoyed doing everything together, especially making trips in the Washington/Oregon area in their little red BMW. Gerry always kept a journal of events on their trips.
Our plans to grow old together have been cut short. However, Gerry's many gifts are throughout my home, and pictures of fun times together fill my photo albums. Through the years we shared our families "ups and downs," but I don't recall ever having an argument or even cross-words with her. She was a very special friend.
written on 2009-11-30 14:27:44
Post number: 15
From: Judith Young
Seattle Gerry and Dave were wonderful, unforgettable people. I first met them when I was working with Rodi Nikitins on his life story and they came to visit him there at the German Retirement Home in Kirkland where he lived at the time. When his book came out in 1987 we really appreciated their enthusiasm. Over the years, before and after we married, we spent time with them and enjoyed a special friendship. I remember walking Green Lake many times with Gerry and talking over the ups and downs of life after Rodi died.
Although I didn't get to Dave's service, I did go visit Gerry in August at Sunrise in Edmonds. At first she didn't respond to me, but when I started talking about Rodi and how much Dave and Gerry's friendship meant to us, she looked up and fixed me with her wonderful gaze. She knew me in that moment, and what I was saying registered with her. I will never forget it. They were the kind of thoughtful friends one never does forget.
written on 2009-11-27 18:40:13
Post number: 14
From: Michael Billings
Calgary, Alberta I met both Mr. and Mrs. Harris in 1995, while living in Victoria BC. One of the last times I saw her was during a visit to Seattle. Myself and two friends arranged to come and visit Mr. Harris's Martial arts class.
We ended up meeting Mr. and Mrs. Harris at the near by cafe. What a wonderful surprise it was when Mrs. Harris pulled out 3 or 4 albums full of old training pictures. A few of which were given to me by Mrs. Harris after the class. As if this wasn't kind enough. We spent over two hours after class visiting and enjoying wonderful stories from both Mr and Mrs Harris. We enjoyed the pictures, the stories, and felt so welcomed. Mrs. Harris had taken the time to present the photos for us, knowing we were young, enthusiastic, and interested in the photo-history she had collected over the years. This was especially touching since we had made arrangements for the meeting three weeks prior, and were told a "confirmation would not be necessary." I kept a detailed journal of that evening, and will always treasure the memory.
Michael Billings
written on 2009-11-24 23:46:00
Post number: 13
From: Donna
I first met Gerry in our San Diego neighborhood when she was 11 and I was 10. We had a great time together-- and very together we were. We would become immersed in something such as walking on stilts, roller skating, or jumping on pogo sticks and we would do it hour-after-hour, day-after-day—then, suddenly, we would be on to another obsession.
As we grew older, we felt the tug of being more “lady like” turning to clothes shopping and romantic movies. We often wore matching hats or even matching outfits. It seemed terrific at the time.
Gerry’s mother was a native of Seattle and, all the time that I knew her, she longed to return there. When Gerry’s father retired they packed up and moved back to Seattle. By then Gerry was working for the telephone company but transferred her job to Seattle to be with them. From then on Gerry, who loved the sun, lived in rainy Seattle—longing to return to San Diego!
I visited Gerry in 1962 via Greyhound bus just in time for the World’s Fair, Space Needle and all. We went to the bakery and watched Dave’s family make the most amazing things—it was a real art. Dave’s interest in art, kindled by his older brother, led him to college and a career in teaching. His other lifelong passion was, of course, martial arts and he seems to have become a master at that too.
Gerry had pets from time to time that she loved. The first was a little blue parakeet named “Half-pint” she owned in San Diego. Later in Seattle, she had a cat—I remember how she mourned when it was hit by a car.
Gerry was a photographer from a very early age. She took pictures everywhere we went and even when we didn’t go anywhere. She saved almost every picture from every roll she shot and put them in scrap books—I can remember pleading with her not to keep my unflattering pictures—to no avail. This interest and skill later served her well in photography contests and video-taping Dave’s karate demonstrations and events.
In my daily stream of experiences I often stop to muse over what Dave or Gerry would think about this or that. I will always appreciate the special memories I have of Gerry.
written on 2009-11-24 16:15:42
Post number: 12
From: Cedar Acosta Armbruster
Seattle I love to remember Gerry as retired and happy, taking pictures and traveling down the coast with Dave in her little red car. Blessed Travels, Gerry!
written on 2009-11-23 16:41:31
Post number: 11
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