Gina Jolene Vordahl

Gina Jolene Vordahl, 68, died Monday morning, December 14, 2015, in her Grand Coulee, Washington home, with her husband Ross, beside her. The Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center had become an important part of Gina's life, and our family thanks them for all of their love and support.

Gina was born in Spokane, Washington, on Tuesday, April 22, 1947, to Glenna Erhardt-Davis, becoming the daughter of Harold and Glenna Warfield. In October of 1962, during her sophomore year at Spokane Valley's University High School, Gina volunteered to pass out fliers with a team of fellow students. Along with four other female students, Gina lined up behind a tall team leader, high school junior Ross Vordahl. After passing out fliers, Gina arranged to be the last of the girls which Ross returned home and from that time on, Ross and Gina became inseparable. On Saturday, October 23, 1965, Gina married Ross in Opportunity Presbyterian Church, Opportunity, Washington. During the early years of their marriage, Gina and Ross lived in Washington, in or near Pullman, Renton, the Rainier Beach area of Seattle, and Federal Way, before settling in Grand Coulee, where they established and operated Vordahl's Variety Store from January 1, 1975 through December of 1991, and Lighting Sales and Service until their retirement in 2011.

Gina and Ross loved dancing together, motorcycling, adventuring, picnicking, exploring, hiking, swimming, water skiing, geocaching, rock collecting and kayaking. Gina and her family once combined their enjoyment of water activities with her love of collecting rocks when they loaded the family's 17-1/2 foot Apollo Ski boat with "collectible rocks" until lake water was within inches of the craft's gunnels, necessitating the creeping back to the launch area along the shallows of the shore, in case they sunk. Gina also collected glass and other antique items; but the epitome of Gina was her creativeness. She was a fantastic artist who excelled at any art or craft she put her hand to, whether singing, ceramics, jewelry, photography or painting.

Pre-deceased by her parents, Gina's legacy lives on through Ross, her companion of 53 years; their three children: Kimberly Anne (Brent) Williams of North Bend, Washington; Jan Jolene (Ed) Gillis of Columbiaville, Michigan; and Ryan David (Rene) Vordahl of Post Falls, Idaho; grandchildren: Kyle and Connor Williams; Emily Gillis; and Kameron and Karson Vordahl. Gina is survived by her sister and family: Debby (Bill) O'Dell of Haydon Lake, Idaho.

Cremation has taken place, with the family celebrating her life at home and on picnics at some of her favorite places.

Gina, Mom, Gramma Gina: we love you, we miss you, we will see you in the sunrises, the sunsets, and the moon and stars above.

Please sign Gina's on-line register book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home, of Grand Coulee, is honored to be serving her family.