Martin L. Gering

Martin L. Gering

July 26, 1930 –Dec. 26, 2024

Martin L. Gering was called to heaven on Dec.26, 2024 leaving behind a legacy of faith and a lifetime of cherished memories. At 94 years old, he passed peacefully at Community Pride in Ritzville with his sons by his side.

Martin was the second of nine children born to Henry and Bertha Yanke Gering on July 26, 1930 at the family farm 25 miles west of Ritzville. At age 5, Martin accompanied his older brother and began first grade at a one-room schoolhouse in Schrag, Wash. His education then moved to the Ritzville schools, where he graduated in 1947. After graduation he continued to work with his father on their dryland wheat farm.

During the summer of 1951, Martin met Betty Parren while she was visiting her aunt and uncle in Odessa. They were married on Oct. 6, 1951. Together they had three sons: Ron, Bruce, and Brian and were married for 48 years. Martin temporarily left the farm in 1957 to work as a draftsman for Boeing in Seattle, a job that he really enjoyed. However, the couple decided they wanted to raise their boys on the farm, and he soon returned to the Ritzville/Schrag area.

Martin was best known for his devotion to his faith, farming, fishing and hunting. Growing up, he was raised in the country Mennonite church. He joined the Ritzville Church of the Nazarene after he and Betty were married there. He remained an active member for the rest of his life, including many years serving on the church board. He shared his drafting and welding skills by creating and constructing a new steeple - a treasured gift to the church. Through the years, Martin and his sons were able to add much-needed wells and various forms of irrigation to the dry Schrag area raising wheat, beans, blue grass seed and potatoes. Fishing was at the top of Martin's list of hobbies, along with hunting in his younger days. He often spoke of providing "food for the family" and could reminisce about decades of past hunting and fishing adventures. When Martin and Betty retired from farming and moved to their new home in Ritzville, Martin made sure that the garage had enough bays to properly store his pontoon fishing boat, a 4-wheel drive rig to tow it, and his vast collection of poles and lures.

After Betty's death in 1999, Martin married Joan Vehrs Geschke in 2001. They enjoyed over a decade of marriage, her delicious pies, and countless fishing trips before her passing. In 2016, he married Pamala Berry Koch. Martin shared his love of pinochle and taught her to fish. They enjoyed many outings together on the lake. They were married for nearly nine years, and she provided loving care until his passing.

Survivors include: his wife, Pam, residing at their home in Ritzville; his siblings Carolyn, Floyd, and Virgil (Judy); sons Bruce (Patti) and Brian (Gail); and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition, Martin is fondly remembered by his extended family through Joan and Pam.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Howard, Paul, Ken, Ann, and Lois, wives Betty and Joan, and his oldest son, Ron.

A viewing will be held at Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville on Friday Jan, 10 from 2–5pm. Private interment will be at the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 pm at the Ritzville Lutheran Church.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Assured Hospice (1417 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837) in lieu of flowers.