Wendelin Peter Geffre Obituary (2025)

Wendell Peter Geffre was born at home in Onaka, South Dakota, on September 9, 1936 to Jacob and Lena Geffre. He was the 4th of 6 children. He passed away on February, 23, 2025 in Yakima, Washington. Wendell graduated from Toppenish High School before joining the Coast Guard, so he could finally live somewhere with indoor plumbing. At the end of his time in the Coast Guard he was stationed in Newport, Oregon, where he met the love of this life Brenda Marie Pratt. Shortly thereafter they married on February 7, 1959. And drove that night to Yakima, WA where they settled and began to raise their family. They lived most of their lives in Yakima where Wendell joined the Yakima Fire Department, briefly living in Lynnwood where he established the Lynnwood Fire Station as the first Lieutenant. Then returning to Yakima, rejoining the Yakima FD as they continued to raised their family. "Jeff" retired from the Fire Department in 1990. All of those years he moonlighted building homes around Yakima for Ron Hartoon. While retired he worked, and occasionally parked his live-in motorhome, at Suntides Golf Course. Wendell and Brenda took many camping trips, teaching their children the joy of sitting around the campfire and playing Yahtzee. He instilled in them that friends are family before it was popular, the children had many Aunts and Uncles who are more than blood because he valued a friend and they were then family. He enjoyed over the years snowmobiling, golfing, and a rousing game of poker, as well as little "friendly" Cribbage. If you were lucky enough to receive a nick-name you were in the club as many did not know Wendell's true name, including his future bride Brenda. Whether he was Wiggles, Jeff, Wendell-Honey, Big G or Boppy, to you he was very loved by all. He's survived by his wife Brenda Marie, his children Suzanne Geffre, Michael (Xuan) Geffre and Kristen (Bruce) Chard. And his seven grandchildren Michaela (Ryan) Conley, Jesse Ward, Brianne Geffre, Haylee Ward, Nathan (Morgan) Geffre, Dustin (Anna) Chard, and Walker Chard. And his seven great grand-children and 2 on the way. As well as his remaining sibling Dorothy Dunn, in AZ, along with many nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL SERVICE on Friday, March 21st at 1:00pm at SHAW & SONS Funeral Home. Reception immediately following. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com