Sheri Sue La Mar (Gardner), 42 of Manson, victoriously crossed the finish line into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ the morning of May 31st, 2011. She lived this life with grace, poise, humility, bravery, courage, joy, and with a beautiful smile on her face that lit up a room, and a giving heart and spirit for others. She had a gift for lifting the spirits of those around her like no other, even through difficult times in life. She was born to Roger and Sue Gardner in Tacoma on August 24th 1968. After a brief time in Bellingham, her family soon moved to the Methow valley where she attended school at Pateros and the Methow Valley Christian Academy, graduating from Pateros High School in 1987. She attended Northwest College (University) in Kirkland where she attained her degree in Elementary Education in 1992. During college, Sheri was an RA for her dormitory, helping many young girls navigate life’s many issues. In 1990 her family moved their home to Manson, where she met her future best friend and husband, Brett La Mar. The two were married on June 20th, 1992. Sheri and Brett moved home to Manson that summer from Kirkland to assist in running the family business, Lake Chelan Building Supply, due to an illness with Brett’s mother. Sheri began to substitute teach in the area schools, and attained a long term substitute job in the Lake Chelan school district before becoming a full time first grade and kindergarten teacher at Manson Elementary in 1993, where she taught until April of this year. Nearly 400 students came through her classroom over her 19 years of teaching, dubbed by her as “Mrs. La Mar’s Super Stars.” She taught each child that life has no limits, and encouraged them to strive for their dreams and aspirations, treating life’s issues as obstacles that can be overcome, not roadblocks. If God finds pleasure watching us do what we were created for, He definitely found pleasure in watching Sheri teach, she was amazing with children. Sheri and Brett where also involved in the youth ministry program at North Shore Bible Church for nearly ten years, where Sheri also taught Sunday school. In 1999, after many years of trying, Sheri and Brett were blessed with a child of their own, Alyssa Rose La Mar. Just over two years later they were blessed again with Bryce Edward La Mar. Their children brought joy, laughter, pride, and adventure into their lives. As a family they enjoy the beauty that only the Lake Chelan area can offer by boating, swimming, camping, driving in the mountains, and snowmobiling and skiing in the winters. The La Mar’s especially enjoy visiting Stehekin and Lucerne in upper Lake Chelan, making frequent trips each year. In 2007 Sheri was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She faced her battle with extreme courage and determination, and a strength which only comes through Jesus, and a relationship with Him.
Sheri is survived by her husband Brett of the home, as well as her two beautiful children Alyssa (11) and Bryce (9), also of the home. Her parents, Roger and Sue Gardner of Entiat, as well as her brother Bret and his wife Barb Gardner, their children, Kyrie and Kayden also of Entiat, and her grandmother Ruth Erlandsen of Brewster.
Services will be held on Tuesday June 7th at 3:30 pm at North Shore Bible Church in Manson, Wa., with a reception to follow. The family would like to plant a garden in Sheri's memory, so if you would bring potted plants that they could plant in her garden. Her favorite colors were pink and white.
