Baker City, Oregon
Martha R. Monroe, 72, of Baker City, former co-owner of the Monroe Mortuary, died Oct. 26, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Susan Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at the funeral home.
Martha Ann Rafn was born Aug. 26, 1930, at Houston. She was the only child of Harold J. and Pearl Padgett Rafn. Her father was in the military and they lived in various locations during her younger years.
In 1948, they moved to Santa Ana, Calif., where she attended Santa Ana College. She attended dental school at the University of California at Berkeley and received her bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.
After graduation, she returned to Santa Ana as a dental hygienist where she met Jim Monroe. They were married on May 24, 1964.
They remained in Orange County, Calif., until moving to Baker City in January 1981 after purchasing the Langrell Mortuary. Martha became a licensed funeral director and worked with her husband in the operation of Monroe Mortuary.
She also worked part time as a dental hygienist for Dr. Warren Whitnah. She remained a licensed funeral director helping in the business until 1996 when the Coles purchased the funeral home.
She was a member of the Soroptimist International of Baker County, PEO Chapter CJ, Esther Chapter of Eastern Star, Social Order of the Beauceant, AAUW and Daughters of the Nile.
In California, she was very active in starting several Hygiene Associations. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and helped with the hospital auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Jim Monroe of Baker City; sons, Thomas Monroe and his wife, Rachella, of Silverdale, Wash., and Ross Monroe of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Jonathan Edwards Monroe and Joel Thomas Monroe of Silverdale, Wash., and Riley James Monroe of Seattle, Wash.; and numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial contributions may by made to the Baker County Library Foundation through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, November 1, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor