Gayle L. Harris was born November 4th, 1928 in Almira, Washington, a small community in the heart of Eastern Washington. She was born a first generation American, the daughter of German immigrants Nicholas Nansen and Anna Cecilia Bertelsen. Gayle was the 5th child in the family of 7 children. (4 boys and 3 girls) She often talked about growing up in Almira, described their garden that produced plenty of vegetables during the lean times of the depression. After graduating from Almira High school, she attended Washington State University. She once said that she wanted to study geology, but her father, a banker in the small town, advised her that she should instead study pharmacology.
She married Bill Harris in 1948, a musician she met in college who was born and raised in Spokane, Washington and had recently been discharged from the Army. After graduation, they moved to Cowiche, WA where Gayle worked in the medical clinic. All three children, Richard, Kristina and Anne were born while living in Cowiche. Around 1955, Bill went back to college and got his degree in pharmacology. Shortly thereafter, Highland Pharmacy was built and both Gayle and Bill worked in the store.
In 1963, the Harris family moved to Yakima. Gayle worked as a Pharmacist until retiring at 82 years. She worked in their own store, "Harris Pharmacy," Tufts Drug Store and Wray’s Chalet Grocery Store. Gayle was active in the First Presbyterian/Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church as an Elder and Deacon. In addition, she was interested in mission work and traveled to several countries including Cuba, Mexico and Ethiopia and the state of Alaska to help in the work of the church. Gayle was an avid traveler and camper. She climbed Mt. Adams many times and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park; visited Antarctica several times as well as touring in Greenland, Iceland and Norway.
Gayle was a warm and loving mother, daughter, sister and aunt. She will be sorely missed. Gayle is survived by her daughters: Kristina of Yakima, Anne and son-in-law Jan Mettler of Spokane; daughter-in-law, Lorrie; granddaughters Erin Brown (David) and Erica Schefano and grandchildren Kaylee, Aria and Jaxson. Gayle died on Monday, July 30, 2018 and was laid to rest at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
A memorial service will be held on Friday August 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com
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