Gertie Tasche passed away peacefully in her home on Whidbey Island on July 30, 2024, at the age of 93 surrounded by the love of her family and caregiver.

Gertie was born to Parents Frank and Lena Driscoll in Austin, Mutiny Bay, Washington where she was raised. She leaves behind her beloved husband of almost 74 years, Jim Tasche, her three children, Pam Tasche Mock (Jim), Bob Tasche (Vicki), Linda Alexander (Scott), 12 grandchildren, Alicia, Amy Taylor, Connor, Dusty, Brett, Kyle, Brandon, Brittany, Nick, Russell, Taylor, preceded in death by Nicholas and Michael, and 13 Great Grands. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Driscoll and countless relatives and friends.

Gertie graduated from Langley High School in 1948 where she was active in cheerleading, music and drama. She was in the Order of the local Rainbow Girls and was Queen of the Whidbey Island County Fair.

A true love story was created with a life long commitment when she married Jim Tasche at the Langley Methodist Church September 30th, 1950. They loved to travel, play golf, dance and spend winters at their home in Yuma, AZ. Every Friday was their date night. Their children were born and raised in Seattle but always had a place to call home on Whidbey Island too. They Moved to Edmonds and while living there she took up acrylic painting and she was a beautiful artist. She also was an avid knitter and seamstress, and her daughters were never without her homemade loving touches to their wardrobe.

Her career was in bookkeeping, and she worked many years helping to support the family.

Oh, how she loved her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to be with them. Her whole love spectrum grew with the birth of each one of them. She loved the beach, and she taught them the freedom of the waves, helped them build beach wood forts, collect shells and beach glass, dig clams and always had their treasures displayed at their home on Columbia Beach. Their treasure will always be their Nana.

Gertie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland since 1990. She was in the Alter Guild, Garden Club, hosted many after service coffee hours with her delicious baked goods and put in countless hours in volunteering. She loved her church, members and friends there.

Throughout her progressive disease of dementia, she always maintained her humor, her feistiness and the love for her family and never complained.

Special thank yous to Hidy Karre, Mom’s loving caregiver, and Hidy also gave us all special loving care and attention throughout this journey, Shirley Huffine for doing Mom’s hair every Friday with the utmost care and love and Whidbey Health, Hospice.

Gerties favorite song was Can I Have this Dance “For the Rest of My Life”. She certainly did and she gave us a dance for the rest of ours.

Gertie will be remembered as an extraordinary wife, mother and Nana. She filled our lives with love and beautiful cherished memories. She was blessed to be a blessing. Her love will continue to teach and inspire us all.

Gertie’s memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland, Saturday, September 14, at 1pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Trinity Luteran Church reflecting Gertie’s commitment to her church, faith and love of others.