Grete L. Galsgaard Pfaff

Grete L. Galsgaard Pfaff was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 6, 1929 to Harald and Karen Galsgaard and passed away on June 3, 2012 in Bellevue, Washington. She grew up in Denmark with her parents and younger brother, Arne. She studied international law at the University of Copenhagen, received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1951 and a Master’s degree in social work from University of Washington in 1953. Grete worked as a social worker in the King County juvenile court system and then became a counselor in the Seattle Public Schools. Later she earned her teachers certificate and taught elementary school for many years in the Seattle School District until her retirement. Grete and her family raised beef cattle, and then they started a Christmas tree farm during the mid-1980’s, which is still operated by her family. Grete married S. Robert Pfaff in Denmark on August 11, 1951. Grete and Robert came to Seattle, Washington in 1951 and resided in the Auburn area since 1957. Grete and Robert have two children, Erik and Britt. Grete loved spending time with family and friends. Grete and Robert enjoyed traveling world-wide. Over the years they hosted over a dozen exchange students in their home from Europe and Japan and helped many other U.S. and foreign students to become exchange students and promote better international understanding between people. Grete loved to learn and experience new things while still cherishing her Danish traditions. Grete enjoyed hiking, skiing, horseback riding, gardening, and cooking. She was always helping her family and loved spending time with family and friends.Grete is survived by her husband, S. Robert Pfaff; her son, Erik Pfaff; daughter, Britt Pfaff-Dunton and son-in-law Chris; granddaughters, Annika and Sofia; her brother, Arne Galsgaard in Denmark; and numerous nieces, nephews. A celebration of Grete’s life will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn on August 11, 2012. Donations in Grete’s name may be made to Heifer International or Habitat for Humanity

662036