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Gail Marlene Baer-Sholes
— 06/23/2011
From Richland, WA, US | Born in St. Paul, MN
Gail Marlene Baer-Sholes
Gail M. Baer-Sholes of Richland passed away on June 23, 2011 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. She was born on June 6th, in St. Paul, MN.
Gail and her family moved a lot during her childhood. She has many family memories with her siblings of living in places where her father, Clifford Bergstrom, worked on the Columbia River on ferries. They share many happy memories of these times. Gail graduated from Kennewick High School. In Gail's young adult years, she loved to try new things and learned to fly airplanes and drive racecars. During this time, she had her first three children, Wendy, Lori, and Lynette. She also made many friends during this time that she has kept throughout her life.
When Gail was married to her husband, Ted Baer, she loved being involved with his Richland High School choir groups, and enjoyed having them over for caroling parties every December. While she was married to Ted, they were able to adopt their son, Daniel Joseph Baer, and this was one of her happiest memories. Her joy at bringing Danny home was something she always remembered with great delight. Gail lived most of her adult life in the Tri-Cities and has made her home in Richland for the last several decades. Gail had many jobs throughout her lifetime. She spent most of her adult life helping raise other people's children by running a day-care out of her own home. She loved running her day-care business, and felt like her day-care children were "her kids."
She found joy and delight in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren and enjoyed bragging about them. She delighted in meeting her now grown day-care "kids" and in meeting their children. This was a special source of pride for her. Later in life, she met her husband, Brian Sholes, and they were married in the Garden at Kadlec Medical Center. She was happy to have a loving companion in the last years of her life.
Most recently, Gail has worked part-time at the West Side Preschool in Richland as a teacher's aide. She was more than an aide, she was considered "Grandma Gail" by the children there. She felt the teachers were her second family and close friends.
She is a member of the Columbia Ward in the LDS Church.
Gail was an accomplished seamstress and often made christening outfits for her friends' children. She loved to craft and create many different items. She was an avid collector of snowmen, and even loved them in the summertime. She enjoyed watching home improvement shows on TV, and always had a plan for her next project.
Gail is survived by her husband, Brian Sholes, her daughters Lori Farnsworth Rick, Lynette Cowen Ben, and son, Daniel Baer. She is also survived by her mother, Agnes Bergstrom, sister Judi Kinish, and brothers, Cliff Bergstrom, Barry Bergstrom, and Garry Bergstrom. Her beloved grandchildren are Jenessa, Travis, Jackson, and Hillary Farnsworth; Leila and Lachlan Cowen; and Jaden Baer.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Wendy Bohall; her husband, Theodore "Ted" Baer, and her father, Clifford E. Bergstrom.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011 from 7:00pm-8:00pm and on Tuesday morning prior to service from 9:00am-9:45am. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 10:00am at the Jadwin LDS Chapel in Richland followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.
Gail was a special lady and I am grateful for knowing her. Much love and hugs to the family.
Gail,
You helped me grow up and taught me many valuable lessons. Thank you for your example and caring.
Pamela Lohdefinck Ott
Dear Lori, Lynette, & Danny,
I am so sorry for your loss. I met your Mom in 1979 right before Danny came into the family. Monica and Danny became big buds and went to preschool together and then on to elementary school. I have such fond memories of coming to your house to visit with your Mom and you girls would watch Danny and Monica while they played. Those were precious fun days and I will always have a special place in my heart for your Mom and you kids. I wish I was close so I could have paid my respects and seen you all.
It seems impossible to say goodbye so far away but Leila reminded me today, “Don’t worry mummy, you always carry your mummy in your heart”. Indeed she is right. Mom I carry you in my heart and dedicate my days to be a loving mother, sister, wife and friend. I thank you for my life and all that has made me the person I am today and the person I will become. Leila and Lochie watched the clouds today in the park and were sure they saw you – I am so glad you finally met each other. All our love always, Lynette, Ben, Leila and Lochie
Thoughts and Prayers to all of you in this difficult time.
Although we never got to meet, I am truly sad
for the people that have been able to share part of their lives with yours. I had always imagined that I would be able to meet you the next time I was visiting the US, and always imagined that you would just be there. This untimely loss has made me realize that even though I live a half a world away, it should have never have stopped me from calling. And for that I am truly truly sorry. May you rest in peace.
With Love
Doug Sholes
To Lori, Lynette, and Danny,
You had a very special mother whom you had to share with so many others. I know that was not an easy task; her taking the time to help other mothers by taking their children under her wing of love and protection or the foster kids she helped and loved. I know that took her away from you in many ways, but your sacrifices in turn helped so many other children.
Your mom was a Godsend for me in so many ways. I was a young mom with my mom living so far away; she guided me and answered my questions as needed. When Bobby was born prematurely, she helped me understand what his needs were and what to expect.
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She came to my rescue on many occasions, even riding in the ambulance with him to the hospital on the day he stopped breathing. She took Tanya and Lance into your home when Chet and I had to go and stay in Spokane until we could bring Bobby back home. She taught Tanya and Lance the tricks to writing left-handed, we joked that they were both left-handed because their second mom was left-handed. Your mom always stopped us when she spotted us to catch up on her other kids. I looked forward to those visits. She helped raise Tanya from 6 months old until she was eight and Lance from 6 weeks old until he was six. Bobby was at your home from 12 weeks old until he was 18 months old. She was their second mom and very much a part of your family for eight years.
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Lori and Lynette; we watched you grow up and become beautiful young women. Your mom and Ted were so proud of you both. Your mom was always bragging about you both and sharing pictures of you and your families. She was so proud of all your accomplishment in life from your marriages, children and careers. I know the distance between the US and UK was a difficult one for her, not able to touch and hug the grandbabies and not have the closeness she wanted. She loved you both dearly. She gave me the opportunity to watch you and your families from afar grow and blossom. She was so thrilled and proud of her grandchildren and their successes.
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Danny, I do not know if you knew this, but we were the one who put your mom in touch with your birth mom for the open adoption. My friend Joni was good friends with your birth mom and when your mom wanted to adopt, I knew of someone looking for a good home for her future little one. I can tell you that your mom loved you to the core, no matter what challenges you gave her and she especially adored her little granddaughter you brought into your family.
When my grandson had a terminal brain tumor, your mom came and helped Tanya and our family with support and love; she was there after he passed with her comforting hugs and love. From the first time we met her in 1974 until today as we say goodbye, she was our Angel, a gift to our family from God.
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Our lives were touch many fold by her love, guidance, wisdom, nurturing, teachings, smiles, shoulder, hugs, reassurance, gifts, calmness, and huge greetings. This world was changed and blessed with her presences; we are so grateful you shared her with us. Our hearts are aching at your loss and our loss too. I know she is in heaven checking up on our grandson making sure he is okay for us�and I can picture her rejoicing with her loved ones. I can see her holding Wendy with tears of joy and smiling down on us.
With a tear and condolences, we send you our love and hugs. May your happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time.
Chet and Cath Hammack, our children Tanya, Lance & Bobby and their families
Our family met Gail and Ted and their family when we moved to Richland in October 1977 and attended the Richland 2nd Ward now Columbia Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We became fast friends and shared many fun and happy experiences with them including a memorable trip to Yakima to attend a Neil Sadaka concert during the Central Washington State Fair. We also had the opportunity to share in Ted’s choral music programs and the musical events sponsored by our church in which our families were involved. Gail was generous and once gave our daughter Kristin a tee shirt with the caption, “I’m going to be the first president person as soon as I’m allowed to cross the street.” Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Lori, Lynette and Danny and their families. We are grateful to have been in your lives and in the lives of Ted and Gail. May the Lord bless and keep you in this time of sorrow. We love you all!
Our condolences go to you Brian for the loss of Gayle. We’ve never met her and we are sure she was a wonderful wife to you. You’ve shared a few years together and sometimes the Lord puts upon us just that many years to teach us his lessons of life and death. The Lord be with you now and always.
My Deepest sympathy to the family of Gail.
I got to know Gail after she married Ted, my music teacher in high school. I grew to love both Ted & Gail very much. They were the kindest and supportive people I ever knew.
Although I have not spent much time with Gail in the past few years, I spent a lot of time with her when my own children were young. She always welcomed us in her home. I will always remember her friendship and how good she was to many, including me.
I was very sad to hear of her passing. I know she is at peace.
God bless you Gail and God bless your loved ones who will miss you terribly.
Your friend,
Patti Guinn
Our love and prayers go to you Brian and family we;ve known Gail for many years and have had many good times. She was a lovely person . dick &Jane Lohdefinck
My prayers are with a good friend. Gone but not forgotten. God be with her.
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Gail Marlene Baer-Sholes