Martha Lourine (Munck) Munkers

Martha Lourine (Munck) Munkers, 67, of Lexington, Oregon passed away on September 22, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Martha was born in Lewiston, Idaho to Thomas and Doreen Bates Munck on March 18, 1953, the second of four children. The family lived in Culdasac, Idaho for a few years before moving to Athena, Oregon in 1956, where Martha and her siblings attended school. Martha was active in volleyball, tennis, Girls League, pep band and was a member of the Highland Six at McEwen High School. She was selected to go to Girls State by the local American Legion Auxiliary. Her senior year of High School, she was voted Ms. Courtesy and Girl of the Year.

On June 19, 1971, Martha married the love of her life Gary in Athena. For the next 49 years, Martha and Gary made their home in Lexington, raising three sons, Dean, Shane and Ryan. Martha worked at Heppner Furniture, becoming a full-time homemaker in 1974. She then worked for over 30 years at Heppner Elementary and High Schools, impacting the lives of so many students and building lifelong friendships with her co-workers.

Her faith was very important to her, attending St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Heppner. She served on the Alter Society and assisted with the St Patrick’s Day Ham Dinner for over 20 years. Additionally, she made costumes for the annual St. Patrick’s Day plays at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. For many years Martha could be found alongside her mother-in-law, Bebe Munkers, as superintendents of the canning division at the Morrow County Fair. She also volunteered as a ticket-taker for Mustang football, volleyball and basketball. As a lifelong supporter of Heppner Football, Martha spent many seasons assuring the football uniforms were ready for practice or competition by mending them.

Martha enjoyed playing cards, camping, fishing, baking, reading, and spending time with her family. Her devotion to family kept her busy attending sporting events, music & theatre productions not only for her boys and her Grandchildren, but for so many more Mustangs she loved.

Martha is survived by her husband Gary, sons Dean (Angela) Munkers of Dallas, Oregon, Shane (Andrea) Munkers of Pilot Rock, OR, and Ryan (Joli) Munkers of Mikkalo, OR. Grandsons Cade Munkers, Garrett Munkers and Trevor Riedmann, Granddaughters Ashton Munkers, Locy Munkers and Cora Munkers. Mother Doreen Munck, Brothers Gordon (Miriam) Munck and Gary (Debi) Munck; Sister Gayle (Cliff) Hoeft. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Tom Munck, In-laws Riley & Bebe Munkers and nephew Christopher Munck.

Martha’s wish was to have a private family service, and a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date when friends and family can celebrate her life together.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morrow County Health District Home Heath & Hospice, PO Box 9, Heppner, Oregon 978836, The ALS Association of Oregon and SW Washington, 700 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232 or a non-profit of your choice.

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