On August 3, 2022, Gwendolyn Edrie Wakeman, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 89. Gwendolyn was born on January 3, 1933, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, daughter of Leonard and Cleta Williams, the second of five daughters. After graduating from Mountain Grove High School in 1950, Gwen moved out west to Long Beach, California, to live with her Aunt Thelma and Uncle Baron to attend college. There, she met the love of her life, Bruce Wakeman, during his US Navy tour. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Bruce and Gwen were married and moved to San Luis Obispo, California, where Bruce attended California Polytechnic State University graduating as an electrical engineer. Bruce was recruited out of college by the Boeing Company so the family moved to the Seattle area. Bruce, Gwen and their three children enjoyed traveling in their Cessna and Beechcraft planes down to California, over to Missouri, and all points in between. In addition to family vacations. Gwen loved her bridge club parties, lovingly referred to by her family as “hen parties,” as well as being actively involved in the First United Methodist Church social clubs. Gwen was active in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and formed great sisterhood friendships local and across the United States. From welcoming exchange students into her home and always willing to lend a helping hand to a neighbor, Gwen’s welcoming smile and warm Southern hospitality touched many people near and far. Gwen enjoyed sewing and collecting antiques. Gwen is preceded in death by Bruce, her loving husband of 67 years, and is survived by her children, Michael (Mary), Susan (Bob), and David (Shanda), and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Burial service will take place on August 19, 2022, at 9:15 am at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.