Louise Wilkerson, 90, died May 7, 2018 in Pasco, Washington after a well-traveled and well-lived life. Known for spur-of-the-moment trips, Louise traveled across the world during her life and during her husband’s military career, but most enjoyed her later years living near her children in the Skagit Valley, Desert Aire, WA, and in the Tri-Cities. 

Louise was born December 7, 1927 to Bertha and Silver Meyerhofer in Aalen, Germany. Her father was a bricklayer; her mother was a homemaker and looked after Louise and her younger sisters Elfriede and Margaret.

Following high school and an apprenticeship, Louise worked as a seamstress. She began her world travels with her sister Elfriede and a friend when they moved to Montreal, Canada in 1955. She met her future husband, Carroll Wilkerson, while working as a housekeeper at a U.S. Air Force base in Goose Bay, Labrador, where Carroll was stationed.

His military service took them to Virginia, Ecuador and Nebraska. Carroll was originally from Lewiston, Idaho; they moved back to the Northwest after his retirement and settled in the Skagit Valley. Louise worked as a waitress at The Gateway restaurant in Sedro Woolley for 17 years. Her regulars knew her as “the feisty little German” who kept their coffee warm and greeted them with a smile.

Louise and Carroll traveled extensively until his death in 1995. Since that time, she looked forward to summers in Desert Aire, WA and visiting her children and grandchildren in Federal Way, Springfield, Missouri and West Richland.

Louise is survived by her sisters, Elfriede Moore of Ridgway, IL, and Margaret Ade of Aldingen, Germany and daughter Iris (Rick) Greenwald, Springfield, MO, son Robert (Sari) of Federal Way, WA, and John (Susan) Wilkerson of West Richland. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Erik Greenwald, Baltimore, Shaun Greenwald, Springfield, MO, Geena Wilkerson, Federal Way, WA, Alane Wilkerson and Alison Wilkerson, West Richland.

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, WA.