Gerald L. "Jerry" Huber was born at the family farm in Boyd County, NE, near
the town of Monowi, NE, on October 14, 1922, to Edwin Leman Huber and Estelle
Chloe Peterson Huber. He and his twin sister, Geraldine, were the last born of
12 siblings. When Jerry was a young teen, during the dust bowl years, his
family came to Washington State, in a car loaded with people and belongings.
They first lived in Quincy, WA, and eventually ended up in Rock Island, WA,
where his dad bought land to farm. Jerry was involved in sports at Wenatchee
High School and would often have to walk home because of staying late to
practice. He particularly liked track and ran in relays and cross-country. He
graduated high school in 1941. He met Betty Richardson, who later became his
wife, at the Wagner home on Rock Island Road. After dating for a year, he
asked for her hand in marriage. Her father told him that he needed to go away
for a year, prove that he could support her and if they were still intent on
marriage, he would give them his blessing. He found a job near Dutch Harbor,
on the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, and was there when the Japanese attacked
the base he was helping to build. He wrote a letter to his family describing
the two days of destruction, the loss of life, and how the workers had headed
to the hills to get away from the strafing of the Japanese planes. When he
returned home, he joined the Army Air Corps and he and Betty were married.
They traveled together to different air bases in the United States for
training, until he was sent to Italy. He flew 50 missions over Europe as part
of the 484th Bombardment Group and was very proud of his military service. In
later years, he was privileged to be chosen to go on an Honor Flight to
Washington D.C. and, this last summer, was selected to fly in a bomber like
the one he helped crew during WWII. Jerry worked for the Great Northern
Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern Railroad. He made many
lifelong friends. After his retirement, he and Betty were able to travel the
world with special friends, and sometimes play golf twice a day. Jerry and
Betty taught primary Sunday School for many years at the Wenatchee Free
Methodist Church. They loved the children, who were very important to them.
They had many invitations to weddings, graduations, showers, and dinners from
those grown up children. It was a highlight of their lives. Two of his
greatest joys in his later years was when he and Betty were chosen to serve as
King and Queen of the Wenatchee Senior Center, and when he was honored as a
WWII veteran at the opening ceremonies of the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival
2017.

Jerry and Betty were blessed with three children: Gayle Barnett, Jerry "Brud"
Huber (Mylee), and Becky Markley (Ben); 11 grandchildren and 18 great-
grandchildren. He also has numerous nieces and nephews who were always
welcomed in their home. Their home was called the "Happy Home" by those who
came to visit. He was a wonderful man who will be missed by his family and
friends.