Edwards Memorial

Gretchen Lynne Erhart

In Loving Memory of Gretchen Erhart March 22, 1961 - May 10, 2026

Gretchen passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her beloved children and sister, on May 10, 2026.

Despite lifelong physical challenges, Gretchen lived a full and meaningful life. She was known for her humor, creativity, kindness, and deep love for others. She had a gift for making work fun. Her warmth, resilience, and generous spirit touched the lives of many and will be remembered by all who knew her.

Gretchen attended Stadium High School and Whitman College and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Puget Sound School of Law, now Seattle University School of Law. She loved crafting, gardening, and shopping. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends and embracing all that life had to offer.

Gretchen is survived by her beloved family:

• Son Mac Bush (Eva)

• Daughter Hannah Bush (Filip)

• Sister (Older) Tami Erhart

• Nieces Maria Quinci (Ahmad) and Julia Quinci

• Cousins Karyl May, Laura Habib (Ali), and Kelly Farrell

She is also survived by her cherished friends Statia, Linda J., Kerry, Andee Jo, Faith, Dana, Diane, Gretchen Campbell, and many others whose lives were enriched by friendship and love.

Gretchen’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 10, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Browns Point Improvement Club in Tacoma, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to organizations whose missions Gretchen passionately supported:

Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County

2608 Center Street Tacoma, WA 98409

www.thehumanesociety.org

Christ Episcopal Church

310 North K Street Tacoma, WA 98403

[email protected]

Emergency Food Network

3318 92nd Street South Lakewood, WA 98499

www.efoodnet.org

Gretchen will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Gretchen Lynne Erhart Obituary May 10, 2026 - Edwards Memorial Funeral Homes View Gretchen Lynne Erhart's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Edward Leonard Nelson

Edward "Ed" Leonard Nelson

May 26, 1944 - May 22, 2026Edward "Ed" Leonard Nelson passed away after a long illness four days shy of his 82nd birthday.

Ed was the oldest child born to Lois and Edgar Nelson in Houston, Texas. The family later moved to Dallas where his father opened a printing business. There Ed graduated from Sunset High in 1962. He went on to complete a few years of college at the University of Texas in Austin.

In 1966 Ed joined the Navy completing basic training in Pensacola, Florida at the Naval Aviation Officers School. From there he was commissioned to Atsugi, Japan as a Personnel Officer flying to various military bases around the world. He talked of fond memories of his time spent in Japan. After an honorable discharge in 1969 he returned to Dallas.

Anxious to continue his education he entered the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, where he received a BS in Business and Accounting in 1972. He was offered a job in Portland, Oregon at an accounting firm named Arthur Young. This gave him the opportunity to see what the Great Northwest was about.

After a short career at Arthur Young Ed returned to Dallas where he was introduced to a family in the restaurant business through his fathers printing business. They brought him in as General Manager where he worked until they closed the restaurant in the early 90's.

Lots of vacations were spent in the Great Northwest where Ed bought a cabin on the Puget Sound. In 1992 he decided to make the move to Washington settling in Gig Harbor. With a growing interest in nature he decided to open a couple of nature themed gift stores and enjoyed traveling the country finding merchandise to stock them. He closed the stores in 2012 and retired.

Being an avid hiker Ed searched for places to explore here in the Northwest. He also enjoyed going to Disneyland and Disneyworld. It was his happy place. Often bringing his mom along. Not sure who enjoyed it more. Another favorite past time was meeting friends in Vegas or Reno as he traveled there frequently to unwind and have some fun.

Ed leaves behind his Life Partner and travel companion, Dee, his sisters Dorothy Nelson and Nadine Harris of Texas, along with several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Edgar Nelson.

Edward Leonard Nelson Obituary May 22, 2026 - Edwards Memorial Funeral Homes View Edward Leonard Nelson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Yvonne Elsie Bailey

Yvonne Elsie Bailey, age 89, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Tacoma, Washington. Born on March 29, 1937, she lived a life filled with love, dedication, and an enduring sense of adventure. Yvonne grew up in Butte, Montana, where she graduated from Butte High School. She pursued her passion for education in Valparaiso, Indiana, and later earned a degree in accounting from the University of Puget Sound. Her professional life included roles as an elementary school teacher and later as an accountant and bookkeeper with HD Baker Co. and a property management company. Yvonne’s life was enriched by her many interests. She loved traveling and visited more than 20 countries throughout her lifetime. She also found joy in dancing, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. A dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, Yvonne was a proud member of the Tahoma Chapter of Gold Star Wives. Her faith was central to her life. She was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tacoma and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Butte. Yvonne is lovingly remembered by her children, Lynn Bailey (Julie), Holly Schrup, and Donald Bailey (Dianne); grandchildren, Lacey Malone (Joe) and Maxwell Schrup; great-granddaughter, Madalynn Schrup; sister-in-law, Sharon Sommer of Nevada; cousin, Curtis Remark (Gigi); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lee Bailey, CW3, United States Army; her parents, Alfred and Freida Sommer; her brothers, Edward and Alfred Sommer; and her sister-in-law, Carrie Sommer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 3410 6th Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. Interment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte, Montana. Yvonne’s vibrant spirit and generous heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those she leaves behind. The family extends special thanks to the dedicated staff of Eliseo Retirement Community for their compassionate care over the past three years following her stroke in 2023.

Yvonne Elsie Bailey Obituary May 16, 2026 - Edwards Memorial Funeral Homes View Yvonne Elsie Bailey's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.