Obituary of Genielle Lois Harkins

Genielle Lois Harkins was born July 14, 1932 to Earl and Ella Marble in her aunt’s home in Camas WA. As the youngest of five children, she was raised on her family’s farm in the community of Skamania attending Maple Flat and Skamania elementary and Stevenson high schools.

Genielle met Delmar Harkins while visiting her married sister in Camas. Delmar lived next door and was repairing his boat in their garage. A trip to the mailbox and cookies made the introduction.

Genielle and Delmar married June 26, 1949. As a mother and homemaker she raised three daughters and a son, many times entertaining multiple nieces, nephews and neighborhood children.

Genielle especially enjoyed family gatherings and hosted many holiday dinners and birthday celebrations. Grandchildren remember her teaching them to make cookies, home canning produce from her garden, and painting ceramics. All family members enjoyed visiting her at the Government Mineral Springs cabin that she and Delmar owned.

Because her parents were early settlers in Skamania County, she always had and interest in tracking her ancestry and keeping records of her discoveries.

Genielle loved camping, boating, fishing, and hunting. She and Delmar belonged to the 49ers RV club and travelled with their friends. Genielle convinced Delmar to buy their first snowmobiles and enjoyed that sport for thirty years. She enjoyed photography which could document all her adventures.

She enjoyed many crafts and was an accomplished seamstress making her daughters their dresses and bridesmaid’s dresses for their weddings. Genielle met artist CoraLee Dana and learned to oil paint. She became her art teacher’s assistant as they travelled and taught oil painting at week long sessions. She and Delmar joined friends rockhounding and tumbling, cutting and designing jewelry from their finds. Genielle always had beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. 

Genielle was a member of Camas United Methodist Church and she especially liked to help with the Lydia Circle mission projects and church rummage sales.

Genielle was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and daughter, Gail Lois. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Delmar, her daughters, Lauralee Harkins and Carol Blackwell (Gary), and son, Dean Harkins (Barbara), six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Camas United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Genielle’s life can be made to Camas United Methodist Church.