Terry Rae Jirava

Terry Rae (Geschke) Jirava died at the age of 65 on Friday, July 5.

She was born on Jan. 28, 1948, to Robert and Joan Geschke in Spokane. She graduated from Ritzville High School in 1966. She married Wayne Jirava on Feb. 23, 1974.

She began working at Hands Café as a waitress in Ritzville, and then went on to waitress at Jake’s Café. Later on she worked at the local Ritzville Bakery, Spike Drive In, Spikes Food Mart and Deli and then finished her career at US Bank. She enjoyed all the people that she met throughout her life and made many good friends along the way.

She was very passionate about her family, whether it was family barbecues at Badger Lake, hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas, or just getting together for a Sunday dinner, she loved family time. Everyone was always welcome at her house. She loved cooking, baking and canning when she got a chance. She also loved gardening, cross-stitching, sewing, reading books and watching her favorite Nascar driver, all while having her nice cup of hot tea.

The greatest joy she had were her grandchildren, Cassie and Hunter. She loved hearing their stories, playing video and board games with them, watching movies and the great hugs and snuggling time. She absolutely adored her grandbabies.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert L. Geschke.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Wayne Jirava of Ritzville; daughter, Michelle Jirava of Spokane; three step-sons, Ron Jirava of Ritzville, Alan Jirava of Garland, Texas, and Tracy Jirava of Ritzville; grandchildren, Cassie and Hunter Johnson of Spokane, John Jirava and Justin Jirava of Garland, Texas; mother, Joan Gering of Ritzville; step-father, Martin Gering of Ritzville; brother, Rob (Denise) Geschke of Ritzville; nieces, Robyn (Cory) Stevens of Spokane; Chrissy (Sam) Lagrou of Spokane; special sister-in-law, Terry (Ron) Abbott of Silver Creek, Wash .; step-brothers, Ron (Karen) Gering of Yakima, Brian (Gail) Gering of Liberty Lake and Bruce (Patti) Gering of Moses Lake.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the National MS Society. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 11, from 12-5 p.m. at Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville. Funeral services are to be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 12, at Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ located at 301 East Broadway, immediately followed by a graveside service at the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. A reception will be held immediately after graveside at the fellowship hall at Zion UCC.