Recent Obituaries

Anita Betty Gehm Lookabaugh passed away on August 30, 2024, at 95, at home. Anita was born on April 29, 1929, in Lakewood, Ohio to William M. J. and Emma Hock Gehm. She was raised in Lakewood, Ohio, and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1947. After high school, Anita married and moved to Cherry Point, NC. Eventually returning to Ohio and started a family in Berea Heights. The family moved to North Olmstead for a few years and then the family was transferred with NASA’s Space Program to Titusville, FL in 1968. Over the years Anita was active with her children’s school and social activities volunteering with many organizations. She was active with the local Homemakers Groups, Garden Clubs, 4-H Programs, as a Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout Program, and many others. She believed in helping others by volunteering her time and talents.

While raising a family, Anita also worked in the insurance industry, Custom Draperies, her parents Print Shop, Clerical for N.A.S.A., and as a Phlebotomist later in life. After becoming licensed as a Phlebotomist, Anita moved to Oklahoma with Tom and her son Bruce. Then Anita and Tom moved to Lancaster, CA., then to the Netherlands, then on to Seattle, WA where she and her husband retired. Anita loved living in Federal Way and was very active for many years in volunteering and participating in groups such as a walking/hiking group, a wine-tasting club, homemakers group, garden club, and volunteered at the senior center weekly.

Anita was very creative and loved doing things like ceramics, tole painting, sewing clothes, crocheting, and quilting for her family and others. Anita enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, and visiting friends and family. They were always going somewhere for new experiences such as extensively in Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Peru, and Vietnam and several cruises.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Carla Chatham, and her husband Tom. She is survived by her seven children, Betty J. Green, William C. Hudecek (Ginger), Bruce A. Hudecek (Dorothy), Cynthia A. Evans (John), Sharon R. Burke (Don), Timothy J. Lookabaugh (Joni), Kenneth J. Lookabaugh (Cathy), and 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Senior Center Food Bank in Federal Way, WA.