Erika Elgert Kamprath

Erika Elgert Kamprath was born December 12, 1916, in Archikov, Poland. She died April 22 at the Serenity Care Home in Wood Village, Oregon. Emigrating from Germany through Ellis Island at age nine with her widowed mother and three siblings, she quickly assimilated and graduated from high school in Richmond Beach at sixteen. After two years of business college, she began a long career in the business world working for Bramhall and Stein as a bookkeeper.

Erika married Waldemar Kamprath in 1940. Four children followed between 1943 and 1947. She went back to work in 1952 at the brokerage firm Foster and Marshall where she became head cashier. Following her bosses when they started their own brokerage firm Marshall and Meyer, she gradually assumed more responsibilities over the years--treasurer, prospectus writer, office manager, financial wizard. She developed the nickname "Roadrunner" after often being seen running up and down 2nd Avenue (in high heels) trying to get securities and deposits to the banks before they closed at 5 p.m. She loved her job, was invaluable to her bosses, enjoyed travelling to the New York Stock Exchange several times to assist in bond signings, and didn't even think about retiring until her mid-70's.

Erika was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Seattle where she served as treasurer for many years, sang in the choir, and assisted her organist husband in the life of the church. Also a fanatic gardener, she turned out bumper crops of tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, raspberries, snap peas, and figs. Her dahlias found their way into many other gardens as the tubers multiplied over the years.

Erika and Wally enjoyed travelling to Europe, especially Germany, Austria and Poland. They loved reconnecting with relatives and being able to speak German wherever they went. In later years they became frequent travelers on Holland American cruises and never tired of shipboard life.

Erika is survived by her sister Eleonore Gepner, 102, of Wheaton, Illinois, and her brother Oscar, 98, of Kennewick, Washington; her children Ron (Carol) of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Elaine (Pete) Schmidt of Gresham, Oregon, Jerry (Mary) of San Jose, California, and Susan (Tom) Oas of Seattle; six grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Wally and her sister Melita Messer.

The family would very much like to thank Erika's long-time caregivers: in Seattle at the Ida Culver House Broadview were Nancy Bahl and Enkh Nasanbuyan; in Oregon were Clyde and Priscilla Olar and Dana Burdet. They treated Erika like family and she loved them in return.

A celebration of Erika's life will be held at Trinity, 1200 10th Ave. E., on May 26 at 3:00 p.m.