Lana Gail Thayer, loving Wife, Mom, and Grandma, passed away December 6, 2017 with her husband Cliff and daughter Christie by her side. Born Lana Gail Attaway March 4, 1944 to parents William and Bessie Attaway in Chehalis, Washington, Lana was the youngest of the seven Attaway children. She spent her childhood years living in Chehalis with her family.
On November 14, 1961 Lana married her husband of 57 years, Cliff Thayer, in Napavine, Washington. The timber industry called the Thayer’s and their young family to the Olympic Peninsula, first for a short time in 1963 and then again, permanently, in 1967.
Lana spent the next 50 years living in Forks, where she and her husband raised their two children, Christie and Wayne. Lana was an active volunteer in the local schools, and enjoyed serving as room mother for both of her children’s classrooms. For a short time, Lana was employed at Coast to Coast in Forks, and she also worked as a local Avon representative, jobs which allowed her to get to know her community and develop many friendships over the years that brought her much joy.
In the early 1970s, the Thayer’s partnered with Lawerence and Dixie Gaydeski to open a cedar shake mill in Forks, where Lana served as bookkeeper. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends, especially her longtime best friend and neighbor Dixie Gaydeski, and the entire Gaydeski family.
Lana loved tending her garden, fishing and camping with her family, spoiling her pets, riding motorcycles alongside family and the neighborhood kids, and gathering at the river for a picnic, fishing and time around a campfire.
She loved getting family and friends together for a good party. She also especially loved doting on and spending time with her granddaughter, Stephanie, and eventually two great-grandchildren Scott and Adrianna.
Lana is preceded in death by her son Wayne (Skeeter) Thayer, mother Bessie, father William, sisters Dorothy Gehrman, Juliaette Palmer, and Betty Richards, and brothers Tom Attaway and Dennis Attaway.
She is survived by her husband, Cliff Thayer, daughter Christie (Thayer) Barton, granddaughter Stephanie, her husband Jake Gieseke and great-grandchildren Scott and Adrianna. Also survived by her brother Floyd (Akiko) Attaway, and brother-in-law Sam Palmer and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lana was a very giving and generous person who loved contributing to many charitable organizations and in keeping with that legacy her family is asking that any memorial contributions be made to your favorite charity. No services at her request.
