Marianne Marie Okada's Obituary
Marianne M Okada Dec. 27, 1931 ~ Oct. 8, 2009
Marianne was born in Schwienfurt Germany ~ December 27, 1931 to Karl and Katharina Stenger. She lived through World War II in Germany and in 1953 immigrated to the United States, receiving her US Citizenship in 1957 in Oklahoma. Marianne moved to Tacoma Washington in 1963 and attended upholstery courses at Bates Vocational school while working at Item House. Ralph Smalling of Industrial Rubber & Supply offered her a position which she gladly accepted. Due to her dedication to the company and work ethic she was promoted to manage supply inventory, a position she held until her retirement in 1993. She always enjoyed sewing, music and dancing, and began knitting, crocheting, camping, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren after she retired. She was an excellent seamstress who often made clothes, Halloween costumes, duvet covers, baby blankets, and curtains for her grandchildren, family and friends. Marianne was always a feisty and spirited person who loved life, family, and friends. She often assisted friends taking them to appointments, shopping and acting as their advocate, she also spent many hours helping her son remodel his home. Marianne passed away from a short and difficult fight with cancer on October 8, 2009 at St. Josephs Hospital in Tacoma Washington.
Marianne is survived by her husband of 34 years Minoru (Mike) Okada, her son Ralph Rodriguez (Jennifer), grandchildren Emma and Madison, her daughter Kathreen M Gibbs (Billy), grandchildren Anthony, Savannah Bartoli, great-granddaughter Mayia Rose Bartoli, brothers; Karl and Heinz Stenger and brother-in-law Oskar Stammler. She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Katharina Stenger, and her sister Anna Stammler The family would like to thank the staff of the Oncology & Intensive Care at St. Josephs Hospital, with special thanks to Donna, Renee, Arthur, Judy and Marcia for making Marianne's final days as comfortable as possible.
Services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home & Memorial Park in the Garden Chapel at 1:00 P.M., Friday, October 23, 2009. Donations may be made in Marianne's name to St. Joseph's Oncology fund.
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