Edith Luker

Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. Edith Luker was no exception. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Edith will be remembered as a very exceptional and unique person.

Edith’s life journey began on July 11, 1931. She first greeted the world in Vienna Austria. Her parents' names were Raimund Josef Prokop and Ida Zvolsky Prokop. Her parents had their own store and she said that they owned a horse and carriage. However, her parents were divorced when she was about 2-years old, Her mother re-married Teodore Fiala who was the father that raised her and her brothers. She grew up in the heart of Vienna, Austria in a one bedroom apartment. The apartment did not have a bathroom--the toilet was jointly used and showers were taken in a community shower facility once a week. Growing up for Edith was a challenging experience. It allowed her to learn and grow and create all kinds of memories. Growing up was difficult, since it was in the mist of WWII. They lived in a basement during its occupation, and ate beans and bread. She did say that her uncle would take her out to her Aunt's farm to keep her safe from the bombs, and she was able to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. She recalled a time, returning from school, crossing an open field when an American bomber barely missed her.

A lot of what shaped Edith’s life was how she was raised. She was raised with her two brother's Erich and younger brother Alois. Edith attended schools in the Wien Education System and attended the Seamstress Apprentice Institute in the 1940's. Once the war ended she enjoyed ice skating, skiing, dancing and swimming in the Danube River. Her family would go into the country side and stay in a small one room cottage and tended to a small garden, harvesting fresh vegetables and fruits.

Falling in love is a huge milestone for any person. Just knowing that you have met that special someone is a magical feeling. Edith experienced that with Charles Robert Luker. Edith and her friend had gone to a dance hall in Vienna on a weekend as they routenly did, since she loved to dance. They met two young U. S. Soldier men in Army uniforms standing on a street corner outside the event who flirted with them and asked them to dance. Edith, at first impression thought that Charles was to tall for her. But, Charles pursued her, came to her apartment and met Edith's mother. One thing led to another and they fell in love. They were married in Tripoli in the early 1954. Charles completed his tour in the Army, purchase a half built house on the edge of the Vienna woods. Edith and Charles worked hard to build the house, three of her children were born there. Her parents also, lived with them. In 1962 Edith and Charles and kids made that final move to the USA. Her mother was very sad to see us go, she cried on the dock as the Ocean Liner we were on left port. It was the last time we (Maria, Bob, & Jim) ever saw her. Edith was able to see Ida (her mother, our Omama) one more time when she was very ill.

While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Edith worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Edith was blessed with six children- four daughters and two sons who were her pride and joy., Maria Kintaro, Bob Luker, Jim Luker, Char Gregorsky, Sharon Horn, Melissa Uehling. She worked hard toward raising her children in a disciplined and nurturing environment. Edith was mother that provided the best for her kids. She always lectured us constantly and taught us that honesty was very important and she disciplined according. Honesty and integrity was engrained into each of her children, which is why they are so successful today. She was always busy cleaning, cooking and making sure all her children had enough to eat and clean clothes to wear. Yes, Edith was a Domestic Engineer who also enjoyed bowling and traveled extensively. She also had 16-Grandchidren and 5-great grandchildren which she was so proud of.

A person's hobbies often mirror who they have become. Edith enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in a number of different activities, including sewing clothes for her children and was involved in various arts and crafts e. g. Making ceramic pottery, painting pictures by numbers. She absolutely loved gardening, especially her roses - pruning and feeding them with care. She loved feeding the hummingbirds - and would make special sugar water for them. Oh, and "bowling" was her favorite activity! And she absolutely loved cooking and baking. She was always willing to share her favorite homemade Austrian recipe's with others and was always in the kitchen.. Edith enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. Her travels included most of the 50 states, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Tripoli and Guam. It was a chance for her to visit new places and experience new things

Like all people, Edith had her favorite things in life. She loved talking with her children and grandchildren on the phone.--and loved giving advise, advise and more advise. She was very meticulous at sending out birthday cards and holiday cards. She had a list of each and everyone for her children, in-laws, grand children, and great grand children -- date of birth and other statistics e.g. weight, time of birth etc. Hey, she was a CEO of her own family. Mom loved the color pink. Pink clothes and pink flowers, whatever you bought for her make sure it was pink and she loved it. She enjoyed reading Bible scripture’s and loved picking verses to start her day. She loved meeting people---bowling and more bowling, cooking, baking and being a homemaker.

When it came to entertainment, Edith enjoyed a number of different things. Edith enjoyed watching various romantic movies, mystery and game shows. Edith would cry and be emotional whenever watching touching movies. In her early years she adored the movie star Claudette Colbert. She told the story of the "movie scouts" looking for a girl with curly locks-- she was almost selected, but instead they chose Shirley Temple (Black){a well known child actor-back in the older days). She loved the Vienna Waltz music. She also enjoyed good food and drink, she really loved to eat the backs of the chicken and loved the fatty pieces from the meat. She loved sausage and mustard with black bread, sauerkraut, and Austrian goulash, kraut and knoddles, her homemade cheese on bagle; and enjoyed baking her Austrian cookies, nut rolls, and apple struddle..

Edith fell in love with bowling while living in Guam beginning in the late 1960's and continuing on through 2009. She played in many bowling tournaments and won many trophies as well as winning the hearts of many, many friends! She said it was a way for her to meet people, to exercise and to be able to get out of the house. She began getting interested in football in 2009, and would discuss the various plays with son Jim and daughter Melissa over the phone. Not really know the correct terminology, but making up her own words to get her thought across.

A person’s faith says a great deal about them. Some people are raised with strong beliefs while others garner them throughout their life. Edith’s faith was important to her. Edith began a Born-Again Christian in the early 1980's. She accepted Jesus Christ into her heart. She loved to fellowship and attend Bible Studies. Each day she would pick a verse to start her day. Edith was very supportive of Jesus Is Alive Ministry and would spend time praying for it and her children as well as her friends. She became a witness for the Lord and especially wanted the salvation of her loved ones.

Edith Luker left us on April 12, 2011 at 5:20 p. m. She passed away In her home - Portland Oregon surrounded by her children. She was 79. The cause of death was a 3-year battle with lung cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles R. Luker. She is survived by here 6-children, 16-grand-children and 5-great-children. An awesome was held in her honor at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes and coordinated by Jesus Is Alive Ministry. Edith was laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland Oregon.

So this is Edith’s life, the sum of the woman that she became and was. Simply stated, Edith was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Edith leaves behind her a legacy of lifelong friendships and many many cherished memories. Everyone whose life Edith Luker touched will always remember her as being a very unique and special person---engrained forever in their hearts!

Edith Luker's Memory Book was given to recipients by Maria Kintaro.

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Edith Luker was born in Vienna, Austria on July 7, 1931 and passed away in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 2011 at the age of 79 years.

Edith attended schools in the Wien Education System and attended the Seamstress Apprentice Institute in the 1940's. She was a Domestic Engineer who enjoyed bowling and traveled extensively. Her travels included most of the 50 states, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Tripoli and Guam. She accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as her Lord and Savior in the early 1980's.

Edith is survived by her Sons; Bob and his Wife Vivian, Jim and his Wife Virginia, Daughters; Maria Kintaro and her Husband Marino, Charlotte Gregorski and her Husband Brian, Sharon Horn and her Husband Jason, Melissa Uehling and her Husband Randy, 16 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren. Edith was preceded in death by her Husban; Charles Robert Luker.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon. A committal service will follow at Willamette National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Brunch will be served at 10:45 a.m.