2/25/36 – 11/20/18. Gerald "Jerry" Koffel, life-long Mt. Vernon resident, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2018 at Mira Vista in the presence of his two children. Born in 1936 in Mt. Vernon, WA to Thomas and Alice Koffel, he was the youngest of four children and baby brother to sisters Dorothy, Gloria, and Kathleen. He worked hard milking cows on the family's dairy farm and tending to the various crops. While still in attendance at Mount Vernon High School, he decided to stake out and purchase his own piece of the American Dream; a homestead just down the road from where he grew up. This is where he built roots, cultivating his own agricultural dream of raising beef, and retiring to solace at the end of a long work day. He had a strong loyalty and connection to this fertile and peaceful patch of the Skagit Valley. He spent his lifetime here.

Jerry met and married Dianna Franklin in August of 1970, and they had two children, Steven and Jane. He drove logging truck for Scott Paper, and then "Z Brothers" in Sedro Woolley and raised beef cattle continuously. In 1978 he married Joan Marie White and became stepfather to David, Dan, Julie, Jean, and Janice Nystrom. Over the next two and a half enriching decades he and Joan spent time traveling the world, RV camping as Thousand Trails members, square dancing, engaging in various social events, cultivating premium grade Hereford beef, maintaining/renovating the farm house and other rental properties, celebrating weddings, birthdays, and the arrival of grandchildren.

During his time traveling, he enjoyed snuggling Koala's in New Zealand and riding camels in Morocco. He especially enjoyed the Canadian Rockies and the excitement of the Calgary Stampede.

He enjoyed harvesting fruits and vegetables from his farm garden and sharing the bounty with others.

He was a Ford man through and through, owning only Ford trucks.

He was a devoted Seattle Mariners fan and loved his canine companions.

His Pomeranian's Ginger and Tina were the apples of his eye and brought him many years of love and enjoyment.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Alice, sisters Dorothy Carlson and Gloria Moe, and Brother-in-law George Moe. He is survived by sister Kathleen Fletcher in Mission B.C., son Steven Koffel, daughter Jane Koffel-Jones, grandson Andrew Jones and fiancé Paris Castillo, great-grandson Dean Jones, nieces Sandra Fletcher, Kelly Fletcher, Tracy Fletcher, Kathy LaMonte, Cec Harrington, Mia Vrsek, nephews Bradley Fletcher, Brett Carlson, David Moe and wife Sindi Moe and numerous great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to: Alzheimer's Association.
A time of viewing for family and friends will be held at Hawthorne Funeral Home on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 11:00am to 12:00pm.
A funeral will be held at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 12:00pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 1:00pm at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Mount Vernon, WA with a reception to follow.
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.