Longtime members of the our club, Gerald “Jerry” Edwin Bednarik and Elaine “Midge” Bednarik of Aberdeen, passed away November 21st, 2024 (Jerry) and December 12, 2024 (Midge).

Jerry was born on the family farm on the Wishkah Valley on August 11th, 1932, to parents Andrew Thomas Bednarik and Anna (Blahut) Bednarik. He was a 1950 graduate of Wishkah Valley High School and then attended Washington State University.

Elaine was born on Oct. 20, 1934 in Aberdeen to parents William Noah Hartzog and Cecelia (Dombroski) Hartzog. Elaine was a 1952 graduate of Weatherwax High School and also attended Grays Harbor Community College.

Jerry and Elaine married in 1952. They celebrated 72 years of marriage. Jerry worked as a dairy farmer and as a delivery driver for both Graystone and UPS before retiring at age 62. He was a member of the Aberdeen Polish Club as well as the Aberdeen Elks Club. Jerry had many hobbies including farming, bowling, golfing, boating, fishing for crab and shrimp. While raising her family, Elaine worked as the receptionist in the radiology department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Elaine was a member of several groups including the Wishkah Homemakers, Wishkah Pinochle Club, the Polish Club, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the St. Aurillas Guild, and the Aberdeen Pioneer Club. They also enjoyed traveling to Yuma, AZ with friends during the winter.

Jerry & Elaine are survived by their children; sons Gerald (Paula) Bednarik, Jr. of Aberdeen, and David Bednarik of Elma; daughters, Carol (Darryl) Druzianich of Elma, and Karen (Craig) Royer of Dayton, Ohio; eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren as well as 15 nieces and nephews.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Jerry and Elaine is asked to give to the Wishkah Fire District #10, the Aberdeen Fire Department or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen.