Marsha Lynn Sauermilch Akers

Marsha Lynn Akers (Sauermilch) passed away September 1st, 2014 at the age of seventy, a thirty-seven year resident of Gresham Oregon. She died from complications of heart disease at her place of business in Gresham.

Marsha was born on August 1st, 1944 in Milwaukie, Wisconsin. Her parents were John Sauermilch and Ruth Sauermilch (Justus). She had two younger brothers, John Jr. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Gerald Lee Sauermilch who predeceased her in 1972. Marsha was a 1962 graduate of Custer High School in Milwaukie and recently attended her 50th Reunion. Marsha graduated with an Associates Degree from Portland Community College, and with a Bachelors of Business Administration from Marylhurst College in Marylhurst, OR. Her best friend from that time was affectionately known as Tooty, and whose mother was like a second mom to Marsha.

Marsha married Alvin Dempsey Akers on February 23rd, 1963, in Milwaukie. They raised three children during their marriage - Laur’e De’ne, Scott Anthony and Deborah Ruth – before divorcing in 1990.

Marsha was a true American Entrepreneur and was never happier than when running her own business. She worked in sales and accounting for the Department of Defense and Consolidated Freight, but her true love was being her own boss. In the 1980s she had a successful jewelry business, and in the 1990s she found her true calling in healing people.

Marsha studied and worked hard and was rightly proud of her certification as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She helped hundreds with what some called “her magical gift”. She would never let someone in pain suffer, and would work long into the night and on weekends to take care of all the people who came to rely on her skill and compassion. Marsha never stopped learning, teaching and healing, traveling the world to learn new techniques and skills to bring back to her office in Gresham. From there she reached out and helped people all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with clients from as far away as Florida looking to her for healing.

Marsha grew up in Wisconsin, lived in South Carolina, and Southern California while her husband served in the Navy. They chose to settle down in Portland, Oregon, where they began raising their children. After adopting their eldest daughter, Laur’e, they moved to Gresham, OR. There, her three children grew up and graduated from Sam Barlow High School. From that house she saw them off as they went to College, got married and had children of their own. Later she shared the same house with her mother Ruth, and they were quite frequently seen competing in Cribbage Tournaments in the east county area until her mother’s passing.

Marsha was an avid Bowler and competed in leagues in Gresham for many years as her kids were growing up. In her later years, Marsha stepped up as quite the country western dancer.

Marsha was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, raising her children in the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Portland. She was also affiliated with the Multnomah County Republican Party, the Eagles, and the Elks. Marsha was always getting out and meeting people, never giving up on humanity.

Marsha is survived by her daughter Laur’e Akers, her son Scott Akers and his wife Dawn, her grandchildren Jeniece Mason, Alek Akers, Erin Akers, Joshua Crowder Jr., and Devin Crowder, and her great granddaughter Evangelina. She also is survived by her younger brother John Sauermilch, Jr., and by her cousin, Rhonda Adler, who was so much more than a cousin to Marsha, but a great friend as well.

Marsha left behind countless friends, and if we leave any out, we know she loved you all: Deborah Mervin, Rena Davis, Carla Tinning, Nancy Bishoprick, Ralph Stean, Angela Rosemeyer, Guy & Cathy Kurtz, Rae McPhearson, Jan Katrid, Karen Roberts, Loretta Tucker, the Rehder family, Beverly Birdwell, and many others.

Marsha was predeceased by her daughter Deborah Ruth, grandson David Crowder, and Brother Gerald Sauermilch.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 3:00 pm at the Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 West Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR. Family friend Chaplain Loretta Tucker will officiate. There will be a reception following at Bateman’s. The family will take Marsha’s ashes home to Wisconsin to scatter them from the dock of her parent’s cabin on Lake Winnebago.

Marsha’s life can be summed up by the words “Sharing Healing Energy,” a mantra she strived to embody every day.