Doris May Murakami

Doris was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Edward and Olive (LeBegue) Baumgartner. Doris was actually raised by her grandparents until she was 16 years old. She then moved in with her father and step-mother.

Doris was the youngest of three children.  Oldest sister Elizabeth (Betty) and brother Harold.  Doris and Harold were very close.

At 17 years old, Doris noticed a handsome young man, named Isamu Murakami move next door into a boarding house with his many friends who attended “The Milwaukee School of Engineering”.  Doris fell in love with him at first sight and knew she would marry him. They married on March 27, 1954 on Isamu’s birthday. Doris was 20 years old and Isamu was 26 years old. They were married for 68 years! Isamu was the love of her life.

After Isamu graduated, they drove to California where an engineering job offer was waiting.  Somewhere in a cow pasture on Route 66, their first daughter was conceived.  So, they arrived in Inglewood, California, ready to start a family.

At the end of 1957, they moved into their forever home in Torrance, California, where two other girls were born and finally a son!

It was not unusual for everyone to see her driving a station wagon full of children, her own, and others to school and to their many activities.  She started working at See’s candy during the evening hours after the youngest started high school.

After she worked at Douglas Aircraft, Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas, assisting in the production of Military and Commercial Airplanes.  Isamu retired, in 1989 from Northrup Aircraft Company, after 33 years.  Doris retired two years later from McDonnell Douglas.

Then again you would see her driving her grandchildren in her SUV to their many activities, soccer, hula, piano lessons etc...

Doris had many hobbies, bowling, swimming at the YMCA, and was in charge of the kitchen for the Gardena Cymbidium Club, which she and Isamu were members for many years. They were also members of the Torrance Cymbidium Club. She also loved going to Las Vegas.

Doris made friends everywhere she went. She has many friends that she had adopted as “her daughters from another mother”. She was, loving, thoughtful, caring, wise, beautiful and funny!

Doris preceded in death by her grandson Ethan Gardiner. She is survived by her husband Isamu, daughters, May Aiko, Cindy, and Sandra, and her son Stanley, seven adoring grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one great, great grandson.

Doris passed away unexpectedly. Private services will be held for family members only.

We will miss her dearly.  Aloha Oe, until we meet again.