Geraldine Ruth Lapthorne

Geraldine Ruth Lapthorne, age 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 15, 2016.

Geri, as she was known by family and friends, was born Geraldine Ruth Nelson August 17, 1935 in Minneapolis, MN, to Kenneth and Jeannette Nelson. The family moved to West Seattle where Geri spent her childhood years growing up.

As a young lady she attended and in 1953 graduated from Renton Senior High School. It was while in high school Geri met her husband of 62 years, Harold W. Lapthorne, Jr. Geri and Harold, known to all as Scott, was a Marine stationed in California when they wed in Reno, NV on March 13, 1954. They began their marriage in California while Scott finished his military service and returned to Auburn, WA where they lived and raised their family.

Geri was a dedicated wife and mother to her and Scott’s 4 children. In her spare time she enjoyed ceramics and her and Scott were members of JC’s and the Elk’s. Once Geri’s children were all in school she took a job outside the home working in the bakery at Safeway where she shined as coworkers and customers thought she shared a resemblance to that of Doris Day. And if you were to ask family and friends they’d agree. Geri unfortunately had to leave work after 13 years when she was diagnosed with MS. Geri was a wonderful person who remarkably, with the help of family and friends, lived with her MS for over 30 years.

She is survived by her husband Harold (Scott) Lapthorne, her children; daughter Pamela (Ken) Caswell, son Roger (Penny Sue) Lapthorne of Erie, CO, son Robert Lapthorne, daughter Penny Tingstad; sister Patricia Karim; 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

The funeral service for Geri will be held on Monday, May 23 at 1:00 PM at Price-Helton Funeral Home, Auburn, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in Geri’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.