Gone but not forgotten
MARK RANDALL GERKEN Mark spent his 33+ years on a continuum of adventure, fun, and laughter creating memories for all who got to take part with him. He died September 2, 2017, in a single car accident near Waitt's Lake where he'd recently discovered an area, and had started, to build camping memories with his 3 children. Born in Richland, Mark played little league, Grid Kids, school basketball and football, and was a unanimous first team all-conference wide receiver for Richland High School Bombers before graduating in 2002. At a very young age, Mark, his sister Katie, and cousin Crystal started going on overnight "Grandpa campouts." Later, we did family campouts all together frequenting Koocanusa. These memories created his desire to provide his own children with similar camping opportunities to create their own memories. Mark and his older sister, Katie, developed a tight friendship as children. Only 18 mo apart, they figured out how to get along early on. One of our favorite memories will always be "Kids-R-Us" dining, when they would take over the kitchen to make us (parents) a special occasion meal. Mark had many friends, but there was a special group of friends, and their parents, that were constants. They protect, support, tell each other like it is, and have each others' backs. We'd like to acknowledge 2 in particular. Jeremy, for BEING THERE! J.J. ("J.J. no!" Mark's first words) for your "attached at the hip" friendship and all the adventures you've shared. Thank you! Our son was an avid sports fan. His phone continually went off with sports updates. His mom's challenge was to tell him something he had not already heard, hadn't happened. He loved watching, betting, fantasy football, and keeping up. Go Titans! Mark married BreeAna Geppert in 2005. Their time outside Knoxville, TN influenced his following of Tennessee teams. They had 3 children together, before divorcing in 2015. Wyatt, McCoy and Elliott were his pride and joy. He was the ultimate "planner," and his children were the focus of his dreams, plans, and wishes. He was also quite the procrastinator. His dad's recent retirement often interfered with Mark's desire to procrastinate. Mark is survived by his sons Wyatt and McCoy, daughter Elliott, his parents Mark and Anne Gerken, sister Katie (John) Phillips, aunts Marsha Skogely, Jill Deschane, and Dawn Gerken, uncles Jim and Dave Mitzlaff and Arnold Gerken, grandfather David Gibson, and cousins. Donations to the children's college funds may be made by contacting Lori at Epic Trust 509-591-0014 in Kennewick, WA. A celebration of life will be held September 30 from 3-7 pm at the Sandburg Event Center, 331 S. 41st Ave, West Richland, WA. Stories to be shared are welcome, starting around 3:30, so start thinking. We ask that, as possible, written stories/ comments be brought or provided at some time, so that we may copy and save them for his children later on. We look forward to sharing this time, please wear your seatbelts.
SAMANTHA SERENE "SAMI" SEMMERN
September 11, 1983 - August 12, 2006
Born: September 11, 1983 Passed: August 12, 2006 due to a drunk driver Occupation: Student/Peace Corp Volunteer Graduated Cum-Laude from Western University with a degree in Linguistics
December 2005.
A very unique girl. Sami was born and raised in Richland. She was an overachiever who was not happy getting anything less than an "A" on her report cards, (yet she never learned how to clean her room). She was innately musically talented and played a variety of instruments, which her favorite was the saxophone. In high school she was in Jazz Band and also a member of the Bomber Marching Band. Sami was proud of her "nerd" status. Whatever Sami focused on, she achieved. She had a flair for languages, and spent a summer abroad in Argentina. She was scheduled to serve in Mongolia and Morocco for the Peace Corps and was looking forward to her staging orders that arrived on the day she passed. So driven was Sami to serve in the Corps since she was a high school sophomore that she held down 3 jobs to assist with college expenses. She worked at Amazon Bay pet store in Richland, tutoring foreign exchange students at Western, and also gave private horse lessons whenever she was home. In addition, Sami accelerated her entire college studies by taking heavy credit loads and graduating a year ahead of schedule. Her long-term goal was to become an International Ambassador, of which her family is confident that she would have achieved successfully. Sami also had an extreme passion for all animals, including the likes of snakes and tarantulas. She loved her parrot Vegas, quarter horse mare Tandy, and Bitchy Kitty Ginsing.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Benton Franklin Humane Society, or to the Peace Corps. Memorial services will be held in Richland at Central United Protestant Church at noon on Friday, August 18, 2006. Reception following at Knights of Columbus Hall, Richland. Express your thoughts and memories in the on lineGuest Book at www.einansfuneralhome.com.
Relatives of Sami Mom - Linda Fastabend ('77) Sister - Crissa Cazier (and her husband Jaymes and sons Cole and Hunter) Significant other family - Joe, Sheena and Shane Quinn Grandfather - Jack Fastabend Father - Steve Semmern Grandfather - Don Semmern Cousin and best friend - Kali Nichols Boyfriend Paul Forney Special friend Brian Epler And numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceeding in death, her grandmothers - Connie Fastabend and Marie Semmern.
Nicholas Royden Pember
Born in Richland, WA on Aug. 14, 1983
Departed on Jan. 11, 2009 and resided in Kennewick , WA.
Nicholas Royden Pember unexpectedly passed away January 11th, 2009. Nick was born in Richland, WA on August 14th, 1983 and spent most of his life going to school and working in the Tri City area.
After high school, Nick began his career as a carpenter, working on both residential and commercial projects. At the time of his death, Nick was working in Moses Lake as a member of the Carpenters Union, Local 1849. While Nick was known as someone who took great pride in his work, he most enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. Whether it be fishing, camping or just hanging out, Nick was known as someone who would do anything for his family and friends. He always had a smile on his face.
We take comfort in the knowledge that Nick is now in the arms of God and keeping a special eye out for those he so loved here.
Nick is survived by mother and fathers Linda and Scott Akridge, Chad Pember, daughter Adisyn, sisters Tabatha Belsito (husband Angelo), Allyx Akridge, brother Kelly Akridge (wife Sara) and Grandparents Don and Judy Brooks, Patti and Gail Burchell, and Zola Pember.
Nick is also survived by his special nephews and nieces, Eric, Giovani, Isabella, Arada, Braxton, and numerous Aunts and Uncles.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to his young daughter Adisyn Pember in care of Hapo Credit Union on Gage Blvd. in Richland. A memorial celebration of Nick's life will be held Saturday, January 17th at Columbia Community Church, located at 150 Gage Blvd. Richland at 2:00 PM. Reception will follow. A viewing will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, January 16th at Einan's Funeral Home located at 915 The Bypass Highway in Richland. Nick, although your life was far too brief, you touched far more hearts and souls than can be imagined. We love you.
Tom Thorson
Tom, 30, passed from this life on May 3, 2014, in Richland. He was born on July 31, 1983, to Murray and Susan Thorson in Richland and was the oldest of three.
Tom was nurtured in a loving Christian home where his family is active in Columbia Bible Church. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran School in Kennewick through the 8th grade. He loved learning from his father construction and engineering when the family home was built, academics, running and playing with the dogs, and sports, especially distance running and spending time with family.
At Richland High School, he was an enthusiastic member of the cross country team where he was district champion in 2000 and team captain in 2001. He enjoyed serving as a counselor at the Flathead, MT, Cross Country Camp. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was an active volunteer in Child Evangelism Fellowship in high school. In high school, he wrote his goals of character traits which were loving-kindness, integrity, diligence, humility, and self-control, all of which describe Tom to this day. He graduated from Richland High School in 2002, where he excelled in math, science and drawing.
Tom attended WSU where he earned a B.S. in Architecture in 2006. His mind was very creative and he had a photographic memory. While his younger brothers also studied engineering at WSU, Tom earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2008. After graduation, he supervised the construction of Meadow Hills Veterinary Center South. Currently, he was employed as a civil engineer at Energy Solutions.
Tom enjoyed being with family. He selflessly helped and loved his paternal grandparents. He participated in many regional fun runs, including Bloomsday, Tri-City Turkey Trot, and placed in the 2004 Sun River Marathon. He attended Bethel Church in Richland.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother Alma Baugh and his grandfathers Dr. Clarence Baugh and Russ Thorson.
He is survived by his parents, Murray and Susan Thorson, brothers Dr. Michael (Candi) Thorson and LTJG Robbie Thorson; niece Claire and nephew Landon. He is also survived by his grandmother, Virginia Thorson; his aunts and uncles: Dr. Mark (Karen) Thorson ('66); Marcia (Chris) Jensen; Robert (Theresa) Baugh; Charles (Carolee) Baugh; Alice (Gary) Meyer; and Richard (Susan) Hopkins. His cousins include Kristi, Daniel, David, Kathy, Lisa, Amy, Stacey, Tyrone, Kelvin, Spencer, Derek and Nathan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom's memory to Child Evangelism Fellowship or the Union Gospel Mission.
Memorial Service at Columbia Bible Church, 202 S. Van Buren, Kennewick is on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at 2pm.
Published in the Tri-City Herald on May 8, 2014.
Dan Harden
On July 4, 2013 Daniel "Dan" Ross Harden, 29, went to be with Jesus.
Dan moved to Sedr-Woolley in March of 2012 to reunite with the loves of his life, Tana McGuire and daughter Bella Herrera. Shortly after his arrival, Dan joined the crew at Lyndale Glass in Mount Vernon as an installer.
Dan enjoyed walks with his dogs and spending time at Citipoint Church. He loved working on cars, but his true passion came when working with wood. Spending time with his family and dogs was when Dan's love really shined.
MARK RANDALL GERKEN Mark spent his 33+ years on a continuum of adventure, fun, and laughter creating memories for all who got to take part with him. He died September 2, 2017, in a single car accident near Waitt's Lake where he'd recently discovered an area, and had started, to build camping memories with his 3 children. Born in Richland, Mark played little league, Grid Kids, school basketball and football, and was a unanimous first team all-conference wide receiver for Richland High School Bombers before graduating in 2002. At a very young age, Mark, his sister Katie, and cousin Crystal started going on overnight "Grandpa campouts." Later, we did family campouts all together frequenting Koocanusa. These memories created his desire to provide his own children with similar camping opportunities to create their own memories. Mark and his older sister, Katie, developed a tight friendship as children. Only 18 mo apart, they figured out how to get along early on. One of our favorite memories will always be "Kids-R-Us" dining, when they would take over the kitchen to make us (parents) a special occasion meal. Mark had many friends, but there was a special group of friends, and their parents, that were constants. They protect, support, tell each other like it is, and have each others' backs. We'd like to acknowledge 2 in particular. Jeremy, for BEING THERE! J.J. ("J.J. no!" Mark's first words) for your "attached at the hip" friendship and all the adventures you've shared. Thank you! Our son was an avid sports fan. His phone continually went off with sports updates. His mom's challenge was to tell him something he had not already heard, hadn't happened. He loved watching, betting, fantasy football, and keeping up. Go Titans! Mark married BreeAna Geppert in 2005. Their time outside Knoxville, TN influenced his following of Tennessee teams. They had 3 children together, before divorcing in 2015. Wyatt, McCoy and Elliott were his pride and joy. He was the ultimate "planner," and his children were the focus of his dreams, plans, and wishes. He was also quite the procrastinator. His dad's recent retirement often interfered with Mark's desire to procrastinate. Mark is survived by his sons Wyatt and McCoy, daughter Elliott, his parents Mark and Anne Gerken, sister Katie (John) Phillips, aunts Marsha Skogely, Jill Deschane, and Dawn Gerken, uncles Jim and Dave Mitzlaff and Arnold Gerken, grandfather David Gibson, and cousins. Donations to the children's college funds may be made by contacting Lori at Epic Trust 509-591-0014 in Kennewick, WA. A celebration of life will be held September 30 from 3-7 pm at the Sandburg Event Center, 331 S. 41st Ave, West Richland, WA. Stories to be shared are welcome, starting around 3:30, so start thinking. We ask that, as possible, written stories/ comments be brought or provided at some time, so that we may copy and save them for his children later on. We look forward to sharing this time, please wear your seatbelts.
SAMANTHA SERENE "SAMI" SEMMERN
September 11, 1983 - August 12, 2006
Born: September 11, 1983 Passed: August 12, 2006 due to a drunk driver Occupation: Student/Peace Corp Volunteer Graduated Cum-Laude from Western University with a degree in Linguistics
December 2005.
A very unique girl. Sami was born and raised in Richland. She was an overachiever who was not happy getting anything less than an "A" on her report cards, (yet she never learned how to clean her room). She was innately musically talented and played a variety of instruments, which her favorite was the saxophone. In high school she was in Jazz Band and also a member of the Bomber Marching Band. Sami was proud of her "nerd" status. Whatever Sami focused on, she achieved. She had a flair for languages, and spent a summer abroad in Argentina. She was scheduled to serve in Mongolia and Morocco for the Peace Corps and was looking forward to her staging orders that arrived on the day she passed. So driven was Sami to serve in the Corps since she was a high school sophomore that she held down 3 jobs to assist with college expenses. She worked at Amazon Bay pet store in Richland, tutoring foreign exchange students at Western, and also gave private horse lessons whenever she was home. In addition, Sami accelerated her entire college studies by taking heavy credit loads and graduating a year ahead of schedule. Her long-term goal was to become an International Ambassador, of which her family is confident that she would have achieved successfully. Sami also had an extreme passion for all animals, including the likes of snakes and tarantulas. She loved her parrot Vegas, quarter horse mare Tandy, and Bitchy Kitty Ginsing.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Benton Franklin Humane Society, or to the Peace Corps. Memorial services will be held in Richland at Central United Protestant Church at noon on Friday, August 18, 2006. Reception following at Knights of Columbus Hall, Richland. Express your thoughts and memories in the on lineGuest Book at www.einansfuneralhome.com.
Relatives of Sami Mom - Linda Fastabend ('77) Sister - Crissa Cazier (and her husband Jaymes and sons Cole and Hunter) Significant other family - Joe, Sheena and Shane Quinn Grandfather - Jack Fastabend Father - Steve Semmern Grandfather - Don Semmern Cousin and best friend - Kali Nichols Boyfriend Paul Forney Special friend Brian Epler And numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceeding in death, her grandmothers - Connie Fastabend and Marie Semmern.
Nicholas Royden Pember
Born in Richland, WA on Aug. 14, 1983
Departed on Jan. 11, 2009 and resided in Kennewick , WA.
Nicholas Royden Pember unexpectedly passed away January 11th, 2009. Nick was born in Richland, WA on August 14th, 1983 and spent most of his life going to school and working in the Tri City area.
After high school, Nick began his career as a carpenter, working on both residential and commercial projects. At the time of his death, Nick was working in Moses Lake as a member of the Carpenters Union, Local 1849. While Nick was known as someone who took great pride in his work, he most enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. Whether it be fishing, camping or just hanging out, Nick was known as someone who would do anything for his family and friends. He always had a smile on his face.
We take comfort in the knowledge that Nick is now in the arms of God and keeping a special eye out for those he so loved here.
Nick is survived by mother and fathers Linda and Scott Akridge, Chad Pember, daughter Adisyn, sisters Tabatha Belsito (husband Angelo), Allyx Akridge, brother Kelly Akridge (wife Sara) and Grandparents Don and Judy Brooks, Patti and Gail Burchell, and Zola Pember.
Nick is also survived by his special nephews and nieces, Eric, Giovani, Isabella, Arada, Braxton, and numerous Aunts and Uncles.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to his young daughter Adisyn Pember in care of Hapo Credit Union on Gage Blvd. in Richland. A memorial celebration of Nick's life will be held Saturday, January 17th at Columbia Community Church, located at 150 Gage Blvd. Richland at 2:00 PM. Reception will follow. A viewing will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, January 16th at Einan's Funeral Home located at 915 The Bypass Highway in Richland. Nick, although your life was far too brief, you touched far more hearts and souls than can be imagined. We love you.
Tom Thorson
Tom, 30, passed from this life on May 3, 2014, in Richland. He was born on July 31, 1983, to Murray and Susan Thorson in Richland and was the oldest of three.
Tom was nurtured in a loving Christian home where his family is active in Columbia Bible Church. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran School in Kennewick through the 8th grade. He loved learning from his father construction and engineering when the family home was built, academics, running and playing with the dogs, and sports, especially distance running and spending time with family.
At Richland High School, he was an enthusiastic member of the cross country team where he was district champion in 2000 and team captain in 2001. He enjoyed serving as a counselor at the Flathead, MT, Cross Country Camp. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was an active volunteer in Child Evangelism Fellowship in high school. In high school, he wrote his goals of character traits which were loving-kindness, integrity, diligence, humility, and self-control, all of which describe Tom to this day. He graduated from Richland High School in 2002, where he excelled in math, science and drawing.
Tom attended WSU where he earned a B.S. in Architecture in 2006. His mind was very creative and he had a photographic memory. While his younger brothers also studied engineering at WSU, Tom earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2008. After graduation, he supervised the construction of Meadow Hills Veterinary Center South. Currently, he was employed as a civil engineer at Energy Solutions.
Tom enjoyed being with family. He selflessly helped and loved his paternal grandparents. He participated in many regional fun runs, including Bloomsday, Tri-City Turkey Trot, and placed in the 2004 Sun River Marathon. He attended Bethel Church in Richland.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother Alma Baugh and his grandfathers Dr. Clarence Baugh and Russ Thorson.
He is survived by his parents, Murray and Susan Thorson, brothers Dr. Michael (Candi) Thorson and LTJG Robbie Thorson; niece Claire and nephew Landon. He is also survived by his grandmother, Virginia Thorson; his aunts and uncles: Dr. Mark (Karen) Thorson ('66); Marcia (Chris) Jensen; Robert (Theresa) Baugh; Charles (Carolee) Baugh; Alice (Gary) Meyer; and Richard (Susan) Hopkins. His cousins include Kristi, Daniel, David, Kathy, Lisa, Amy, Stacey, Tyrone, Kelvin, Spencer, Derek and Nathan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom's memory to Child Evangelism Fellowship or the Union Gospel Mission.
Memorial Service at Columbia Bible Church, 202 S. Van Buren, Kennewick is on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at 2pm.
Published in the Tri-City Herald on May 8, 2014.
Dan Harden
On July 4, 2013 Daniel "Dan" Ross Harden, 29, went to be with Jesus.
Dan moved to Sedr-Woolley in March of 2012 to reunite with the loves of his life, Tana McGuire and daughter Bella Herrera. Shortly after his arrival, Dan joined the crew at Lyndale Glass in Mount Vernon as an installer.
Dan enjoyed walks with his dogs and spending time at Citipoint Church. He loved working on cars, but his true passion came when working with wood. Spending time with his family and dogs was when Dan's love really shined.