"GeeGee" Charlene Rae Awerkamp

“GeeGee” Charlene Rae Awerkamp returned home to heaven February 14, 2019 in Taylorsville, Utah at the age of 78. She remained joyful throughout her journey with dementia and showed us the deep love at her core.

GeeGee was born December 5, 1940 in Los Angeles, California to Lois Garrett and Dr. Joseph Edmunds. She married the love of her life, her sweetheart Blaine N. Awerkamp in 1960. They spent 59 years together and had seven children. GeeGee was a devoted mother. Nothing was more important to her than her family. She loved spending time with her family and creating traditions to be together. Some of our favorites included family reunions, cookouts, pool parties, massive Easter Egg Hunts, and Halloween Cookie Day. She loved music and was always humming. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She spent all year listening to Christmas music and planning and making personalized gifts for her entire family.

GeeGee was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many positions of responsibility but among her favorites were being Primary President to over 250 children, Compassionate Service Leader, and a missionary with her husband in Hawaii. GeeGee loved the youth and was often the instigator of nighttime activities such as polka-dotting, pranks, and secret acts of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Jean Kay Williams. Survived by her husband Blaine; her children Blaine (Cheryl), Scott (Heidi), Bob (Laurel), Julie, Debbie (Bob) Rinquest, Todd (Julie), and Christie (Mark) Weaver; 35 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren (with a total posterity of 75); siblings Joe (Cherie) Edmunds, Joanne (LaMar) Anderson, Diane (Bill) Lewis; and brother-in-law Gordon Williams (Jean-deceased, Jackie).

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Taylorsville First Ward, 4845 South Woodhaven Drive. Visiting times will be held from 6 - 8 PM on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, and 9:30 to 10:40 AM on Friday at the church before the funeral. Interment will be at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7925 South 1300 West.

We would like to thank the Legacy Village Memory Care staff for their support and help in caring for GeeGee over the last 10 months.

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