Geradline L. Middleton

Our beloved mother, Geraldine "Jerry" Middleton passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. She lived a very full, active and courageous life, filled with love, friendship and fun. Jerry lived in Portland, Oregon her entire 88 ½ Years and was the second of four children. Her parents, Archie and Mae Holmgren preceded her in death. Jerry leaves behind four grandchildren, Laura, Matthew, Jeffrey and Alena and five great grandchildren, Karina, Andrew, Jordan, Emily and Natalie. She is survived by a sister, Gwendolyn Harding of Victoria B.C. Jerry was also preceded in death by her younger brother, Lawrence Holmgren, and sisterBeverly Lorenzen. Jerry attended Lent grade school in SE Portland and graduated in 1944 from Girls Poly High School. After high school she attended Northwestern Business School and landed a job with Farmers Insurance for 8 years as a secretary and cashier. While roller skating at Oaks Park she met and later married Ralph Wickham in 1947. They had four children and settled in their home in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood. After having her first child she enjoyed being a homemaker. Jerry lived there for 51 years. Later she married Joe Reese and they had a son, Jason. She began to juggle family with work in1969 and started her career as a baker and prep cook outside the home. Jerry worked for Village Farm House of Pancakes, Elmer's Pancake House for 13 years, and the Tualatin Valley Fred Meyer restaurant. She cooked all the menu from scratch. While ballroom dancing with her social-service club she met James "Jim" Middleton. They were married February 29, 1980 and were together until his death in 2009. Together as dancing partners they enjoyed many good times and dressing up in formal attire and of course, in coordinating colors, Jerry in a long formal and Jim in a tux. Some of her favorite joys in life were getting together with family and friends, cooking, baking, decorating tiered wedding and birthday cakes, cookies, candy and pies. We loved her meatloaf, pot roasts and macaroni and cheese casseroles. Entertaining and organizing family gatherings was a big part of her life. She hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with her large extended family. For several years she invited the entire block for a holiday open house. Another favorite was decorating for all the holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween were her favorite times. The house lit up like Christmas vacation, inside and out, life-size Santa, his sleigh and all the reindeer, accompanied by music. Remember the 1960's aluminum trees with the changing colors? We had one of those for many years as well as the traditional. Jerry enjoyed keeping in touch with her high school and eighth grade classmates, and for many years organized reunion dinners and picnics. Every year she attended her high school reunion, up to her 68th. Jim and Jerry kept busy in the community later in life. Many lifelong friends were made along the way. They were very active members of the Elks, Eagles, American Legion and Portland Convertible Club. They were founding members of the Nomad and 26 Cruisers Car Clubs. Jim and Jerry enjoyed many cruises as well as volunteering for the charity events. Volunteering was a theme throughout Jerry's early life as well. She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader for many years, as well as a day camp counselor and recruiter-trainer for leaders. She enjoyed the outdoors, camping and hiking. In the 1960's she enjoyed being a foster parent through Christie School, Marylhurst. Jerry volunteered 12 years at the Clackamas Service Center emergency services. She cooked weekly and holiday meals for the homeless and low-income and picked up food for the food assistance program. It was evident they enjoyed people and events that led them around the state. Besides going to the movies they enjoyed being in them...as stand-ins for "The Temp", "Love at Large" and "Mr. Holland's Opus". Jerry and Jim fell in love with Shaniko, and attended many of the Shaniko Days celebrations. You would find them decorating the car, driving in the parades and passing out candy. Jerry was quite a jitterbug and enjoyed taking photos, shopping and listening to music from Tom Jones to the Beatles. Other hobbies included collecting clocks of all kinds from cuckoo to backwards running. One time her great-granddaughter, Karina was counting and stopped a 400. She loved her dogs Shag, Heidi and Sam, and the pet rooster, Rasmus. As we spoke to family and friends we were comforted with so many fond memories. Jerry is remembered as compassionate, loving, and stylish in dress, patient, generous, an organizer and a true sweetheart. She will be missed by all. We wish to thank Leah's Adult Foster Care for their loving, wonderful care. Jerry was treated as part of the family and as if she were their own mother. In lieu of flowers we ask you to volunteer or donate to your favorite charity in her memory. Service Information