Roberta Jean Murakami

Roberta "Berta" Jean was born in Kansas City, MO to George Adolphus and Verna Marie Stolpe. She graduated from Odessa High School in 1972. Shortly after graduating she moved to Portland, Oregon. There she had her first job at Meier & Franks at Lloyd Center and also worked briefly at Ben Franklin Savings and Loan until she gave birth to her first child in 1976, Jenni and then son Andrew in 1978. Three years later Berta began her career at Kaiser Permanente. It was there that she met Mark, the love of her life, in 1986. They were married in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988 and resided there until 1993. In 1991 they welcomed their daughter, Megan, into their family. Upon returning to Oregon via Salem, Berta returned to Kaiser Permanente until 1996 when she began to work for DCBS (Building Codes Division). Berta enjoyed working with her friends for 16 1/2 years while battling Multiple Myeloma until she was no longer able to. During her retirement, Berta found joy in going to garage and estate sales as well as thrift shopping where she collected many treasures. Berta peacefully passed away surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years Mark; daughters, Jenni (Kyle) and Megan (Jonhathon); sons, Andrew (Alex) and Mark (Frankie); grandchildren Kolby, Ryan P., Ryan M., Jacob; sister, Evelyn Stockdale; brother, Dwight Stolpe and several nieces and nephews. Best friends and "sisters", Annette Keathley and Gayle Makinney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 12:00 P.M. at Howell, Edwards, Doerkson with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation; (383 Main Ave. 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT. 06851). Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.