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Gerry (Wolden) Shafer, 92, of Olympia, Washington, passed away after a brief illness Nov. 8, 2025, at St. Peter’s Hospital. Born Germa Dean Villines in Ponca, Arkansas, on April 2, 1933, Gerry was the oldest of seven children of Hadley O. and Delphia F. Villines.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hadley and Delphia Villines; six siblings, Utah Villines, Rita Hawthorne, Donna Rico, O.D. Villines, Toby Villines and Tom Villines; and daughter, Janet (Wolden) Peabody.
Gerry was also preceded in death by her husband, Jack Villines, with whom she had two daughters, Debbie Villines, Olympia, Washington, and Kathy (Reed) Siegling, Foley, Alabama; husband, Walt Wolden, with whom she had two children, Janet Wolden Peabody (deceased) and Kris Wolden, Centralia; and husband, Bruce Shafer. She is also survived by stepson, Mark Wolden; stepdaughter, Kristy Shafer; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Gerry is additionally survived by her sisters-in-law, Bev Villines and Junelle Villines, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Gerry embarked on a career with the state of Washington that spanned more than 28 years. She retired from the Washington State Investment Board in 1993. Gerry was an accomplished crocheter, knitter, crafter, seamstress and gardener who loved sharing her creations with others. A determined and independent woman, she loved traveling and enjoyed many solo trips across Washington to visit friends around the Pacific Northwest.
A longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Gerry was initiated into Centralia Chapter No. 14 in 1978. She served as Worthy Mmatron for the Centralia Chapter in 1983 and 1990. Throughout her journey with Eastern Star, Gerry was elected and appointed to many positions and proudly served as a Worthy Grand Matron. Her life was incredibly blessed by everyone in the Eastern Star family through friendship and dedication over the years.
Please join us for Gerry’s celebration of life from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the McCleary Community Center, 726 W. Simpson Ave., McCleary, Washington 98557.
To honor Gerry’s wishes, no cards or flowers, please. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Shriners Children’s Spokane, Office of Philanthropy, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, Washington 99204.
