Lori Ann Poock Goerdt passed away August 2, 2024, at her home outside of Cathlamet, Washington, at the age of 61. She was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on July 27, 1963, the daughter of Gary and Mary Jacobs Poock. At that time, Gary was in the U.S. Navy.
At the age of 2, Lori moved back to Iowa along with her family. She was baptized and later confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Lori graduated from public school in Mt. Pleasant, and then attended Western State College near Gunnison, Colorado, for a few semesters. She loved to ski using her telemark skis! Lori later returned to Iowa and completed her B.A. in botany and geology and a Master’s degree in teaching from the University of Iowa in 1991. Lori taught for several years in the Cedar Rapids Public school system.
During that time, Lori met a neighbor who a year later moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, and entered the real estate business at a Century 21 brokerage, selling property around Lake Pend Oreille. On her summer break, Lori went to Idaho with her mother, Mary, for a visit to her former neighbor and fell in love with the lake, the ski slopes at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort AND the former neighbor, Alan Goerdt.
Lori stayed in the Sandpoint area and joined Alan in his real estate ventures and became very active in the Lake Pond Oreille Idaho Club. After a good development fell into place, they had the opportunity to plan for their wedding on a cruise ship vacation through the Caribbean during the Christmas holidays. The wedding took place at a port in Jamaica on December 26, 2000. Lori was a stunningly beautiful bride! Lori’s entire family was able to be there.
Upon their return, Alan and Lori would become caretakers for a private island in the San Juan islands off the northwest coast of Washington State. They stayed there for 3 ½ years until Lori saw the opportunity to fulfill one of her dreams: owning her own restaurant!! She loved cooking. Lori watched many TV cooking shows, bought many of the chef’s books and experimented with many of the recipes. When Lori saw an ad selling a historic house with an attached diner, she wanted to go see it! It was located up in the mountains near the North Cascade National Park. After the trip up there and a good ‘look around’, they put in an offer and became the owners.
At the diner, Lori was the star that made it happen! They ran it for 7 very successful years. To this day, the local folks rave about her cooking skills and wish she was still there running The Marblemount Diner!!
Upon retirement, Lori and her husband retired to the southwest corner of Washington State. They first moved to Vancouver, Washington, and then six years later, 70 miles north and west to Cathlamet, Washington, to build their new house along the Elochoman River, which drains into the Columbia River about 35 miles before it goes into the Pacific Ocean.
Lori was an inspiration in the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her boundless compassion and genuine love for helping others left a lasting impact on countless lives. She found her greatest joy in the simple yet profound moments in life from making a special sauce and connecting with friends or enjoying the timeless tunes of the 70’s and 80’s music. She knew how to make every moment memorable. Her presence was a source of comfort and happiness, and her love will continue to echo in the hearts of those she touched.
Preceding her in death were her grandparents Ed and Jo Poock of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Her Mother Mary Longanecker of Mt. Pleasant and Edwin and Mary Longanecker of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
She is survived by her husband, Alan Goerdt of Cathlamet, Washington, adopted father Edwin Longanecker of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, brother Lance Poock and Joe of Poinciana, Florida, uncle Craig Poock, wife Sue and nieces Allison and Delaney of Omaha, Nebraska, and brother Edwin Longanecker III., wife Heather along with their children Jack and Katie of Austin, Texas.
Lori’s service is planned for a later date . She will be laid to rest in the family plot in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Lori and her family.
