Joan Clarisse Gebhardt
September 23, 1933 - December 13, 2014
Our mother, sister, Amma, friend, pal, and gentlewoman Joan Clarisse Gebhardt passed serenely at her home surrounded by family on 12-13-14. Oh how she loved numbers.
Born to Adolf W. and Sigridur Gudfinna Finnson Anderson September 23, 1933 in Blaine, WA, Joan was the third of 6 children whose love of life, family, community, and her five boys Harry Henry Hart, III, Ronald Duane, William Warren, Eric Jon and Gregory James, filled her days with adventure, purpose, joy and laughter. Her life was even more fulfilled when she met and married Harry Henry Gebhardt, Jr. After knowing one another just 4-weeks they were married in Blaine, WA on July 20, 1954 and then made their first home near Harry’s family in Erie, PA.
Throughout the years it was not uncommon to find Joan walking each morning. It was on these daily journeys that she deepened her sense of self and commitment to her family, friends and community. She volunteered at the polls, the Soroptimist International Club, Moose Lodge, the American Cancer Walk-For-Life and the Washington Children’s Home Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44-years, Harry, her son Eric Jon in 1980, her brother William Warren Anderson in 2010, and her sister Beverly Forbes in 2013. She is survived by her sisters Arlene Anderson, Audrey Block and Judy Dunster. Her sons Harry, Ron, Bill and Greg will continue their mother’s traditions, commitment to community, and family closeness for years to come. With deep roots in the Skagit Valley Joan has many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at Kern Funeral Home, 122 South 3rd Street, Mount Vernon, WA on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. with a celebration of her magnificent life to follow in the adjacent Social Room. A graveside service will be held later that day in Blaine at the Hillsdale Cemetery at approximately 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Joan’s name to Washington State Parks, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.
