Gweneth Arden (Hedin) Tjernberg was born to Fred J and Geraldine (Palmateer) Hedin on Dec. 5, 1936 at St. Joseph Hospital. She spent her entire life in the Aberdeen area. Gwen passed on May 5, 2021 of complications from pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Charles. They were married on Nov. 8, 1952. Together they had three children: Cynthia Blair (1954), Catherine Morgan (1956) (passed away 2017) and Steven Tjernberg (1958), seven grandchildren and 12 great-grand-children.
She was in the Aberdeen Class of 1955 and later received her HS Diploma at GH College in 1974. She worked at the D&R Theater where her friends hosted her wedding shower and two years later her first baby shower. She also worked at Woolworth and for the State of Washington as an employment counselor where she would make every effort to assist her clients by guiding them through job retraining so they could achieve better lives. Chuck and Gwen were in construction together for 25 years building homes throughout the community. Gwen worked at Ace Electric True Value in Hoquiam, and later they owned and operated the business together for 22 years.
Gwen believed in a strong community by participation. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years. She was a Cub Scout leader. She served on the Aberdeen School Board and the five County School District 113 Board. She was active on many other local boards, charities, fund raisers and nonprofits. She loved to give back. Chuck and Gwen have made great friends with their weekly marble club and being active members in the Harbor Haylofters Square Dance Club for over 40 years.
Gwen loved Christmas and proudly hosted over 55 years of Christmas Eve dinners for family, friends and last-minute invitees. She was known for her beautiful ham, turkey and lutefisk. She always had a present under the tree for anyone who showed up. She also started our family tradition of little wild blackberry pies for birthdays — pie will always be better than cake to us.
Chuck and Gwen enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and had been to every state west of the Mississippi and two trips to Alaska. They loved National Parks/Monuments (Yellowstone being their favorite), state parks and hitting the road with family and friends. They always looked forward to sunny winters in the south.
Their three children had all retired but not Chuck and Gwen. They continued to find new opportunities. Their last business adventure together was purchasing the Furford Manufacturing Shop in Grayland, Washington in 2010, where Chuck started building the Furford Picker Pruner, and Gwen kept the books and managed the farmers’ orders. Gwen put together the amazing Grayland History and Cranberry Museum with community donations and local volunteers. The museum brought in visitors from all around the world. Gwen enjoyed meeting new people and guiding the museum tours. During the annual Cranberry Festival, visitors always looked forward to stopping by and saying hi to “Grandma Gwen.”When Chuck and Gwen learned that she was ill they sold their Grayland property with the promise that the museum doors would stay open.
Gwen loved animals, flowers, and plants. She could grow anything. She’d like you to plant a tree or flowers in her honor or donate to a charity in her name. Her favorites were PAWS of Grays Harbor, The Salvation Army, and the local Goodwill.
Gwen was very loved and will be greatly missed. A celebration in her honor will be set for friends and family at a later date.
The first photo of Gweneth is from 1952 and the second was taken recently.
Please take a moment to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
