Marcella Elizabeth Erker

Obituary Marcella Erker Marcella (Sally) Erker, the beloved wife of Robert Erker, died peacefully on January 22nd, surrounded by family and friends. Sally was born on April 9, 1924 in Bismarck North Dakota to Theresa and George Geiger. One of 8 children her father died when she was 12 years of age. Her mother raised her and the other children engraining in them a firm belief in their Catholic faith, and a strong sense of family. This was tempered with independence, self reliance and the understanding that life was an adventure one needed to get involved in. Being her mother's daughter, she left Bismarck at the age of 18 and moved to California where she became one of the original "Rosie the Riveter" women, her contribution to the war effort. She remained in California until her marriage to Bob Erker, the love of her life in 1945. Upon his discharge from the Navy they moved to Fife, Washington, where they lived until 1955. They then moved into her home in Tacoma where she lived for the remainder of her life. While her primary job was that of wife to her husband and homemaker to her 5 children and their friends (dad had to build a 28 x 30 foot rec. room addition to the house to ensure that we had a place to "hang out") she was also the bookkeeper for the family business. In addition she was very active at St. Ann's parish as a member in the Altar Society, Social Services Committee and Catechism teacher. For relaxation she was a member of a woman's bowling team sponsored by the family business. She was very busy but she always had time for her primary responsibilities of wife and mother of 5 kids. Wearing her mom hat, she was both the disciplinarian and advocate, teacher and student, referee and participant. All of these roles were played out under an umbrella of unconditional love. When confronted with the empty nest syndrome she kept busy by managing a small local post office. She was then nominated by Representative George Walk and later Representative Brian Ebersole of the Democratic cacus to work for the "Hot Line" in Olympia during the legislative session. Not only did she thoroughly enjoy this but she met many new life long friends. After dad's death in 1991, mom elected to sell their retirement home they were building on the Wenatchee River near Leavenworth, Washington. She focused instead on her immediate family and traveling with her siblings and nieces. She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, with numerous side trips to California, North Dakota and other places. Her traveling days ended after she suffered a severe accident upon returning from a Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. Mother is survived by her children Patricia and James Keith, Dan and Colleen Erker, Tom and Martha Erker, Bob and Jerie Erker and James Erker, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, her siblings Francis, Adam and Annemarie numerous nieces and nephews. A loving thank you from the Erker family to Rosemary Peterson for the special care and love you gave mom the last two years. You are truly and extraordinary person. In addition a special thanks to the Hospice team of Diane Eoriatti RN, Susan Mix MSW, John Howell Chaplain and the entire staff at Hospice House. A rosary will be said on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 7:00 pm at Gaffney Funeral Home located at 1002 S. Yakima Ave. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Ann's Catholic Church located at 7001 S. Park. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Franciscan Hospice 2901 Bridgeport Way West, University Place, Washington 98466