Marie Klunder, 93, a longtime Baker City resident, died Dec. 24, 2004.
Her graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Jack Bynum of the United Methodist Church will officiate. There will be a reception for family and friends after the service at the United Methodist Church, 1919 Second St. Everyone is invited.
Marie L. Judy Klunder was born on Nov. 18, 1911, to Lloyd M. Judy and Molly Dickison Judy at Sumpter. After graduation from Baker High School in 1930, she used her secretarial skills in the high school office, and later for Philo Anderson Insurance before attending two years at Oregon State College at Corvallis.
She then moved to Seattle, Wash., where she worked for an insurance agency. Next she moved to Salem, where she was employed by the Oregon Unemployment Compensation Commission.
During World War II, Marie worked at Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va., for the Bureau of Navy Personnel. Upon returning to Eastern Oregon, she was employed by Pondosa Lumber Co., and worked for Wolff & Johnson, and later Jackson & Johnson as a legal secretary.
For five years, she was chief deputy tax collector for Baker County. She was elected and served for 16 years as Baker County Treasurer.
She married Everett H. Klunder on Nov. 26, 1954, and embraced his family, which included his daughter, Barbara, and his son, Bruce. Marie and Everett loved the outdoors and often camped at Phillips Lake.
They thoroughly enjoyed traveling with a group of friends — caravan style — on several trips. They were members of the Baker United Methodist Church and their church was a large part of their lives.
Marie was a longtime member of the choir and sometime organist. They were active members of the Order of Eastern Star.
After Everett’s death in 1977, Marie continued her membership in Soroptimist International, Royal Neighbors, Daughters of the Nile, and Elkhorn Grange.
Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Klunder Garren, and her husband, Donald; daughter-in-law, Joanne Klunder Hardy; sisters, Barbara J. Sanders and Colleen McCord Toombs and her husband, Leo; grandchildren; Kathy Garren Glaser, Debbie Garren Bender, Kim Garren Galaktianoff, Janice Klunder Pal and Douglas Klunder; eight great-grandchildren, one niece and five nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett; her parents; her son, Bruce; granddaughter, Patty Garren; and brother-in-law, Otto Sanders.
Although Marie’s work took her to many faraway places, she carried Eastern Oregon in her heart. It was home. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church or to a charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 17, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor