Bertha Lorene Erbey

Bertha Lorene Erbey, age 102, passed away March 30, 2019, at 6:50 AM, in Salem, Oregon, as a result of a stroke.

Mom was born April 14, 1916, in Hermiston, Oregon. She was one of six children born to Leo and Edna Clark. She was raised in Standfield area on her parent’s farm. She attended both grade and high schools in Pendleton.

In her early years she and her very good friend Doris (later to become her sister-in-law) accompanied her father in his logging truck on the old highway down the Columbia River Gorge to The Dalles and Portland. They both enjoyed that exciting adventure. During high school, Mom enjoyed playing softball and basketball and of course all the school dances as Mom was a great dancer.

She married Rex Baumgardner and they had one son, Wade. In 1953, she and Rex divorced. In 1959 she married William Erbey and they made their home in Garden Grove, California.

After Bill retired from the Navy, they moved to Portland, Oregon where he took a position with the Veterans Administration Hospital. Later they moved to Salem as their final destination. Mom loved going on their cruises to the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska and they always had a grand time. In Salem, she enjoyed being an avid member of the South Salem Senior Citizens Center where she assisted in compiling their monthly newsletter.

Her husband Bill passed away in December 2000 and she then moved to Hidden Lakes Retirement Center in Salem where she greatly enjoyed her residency and made many friends. She was the oldest member of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 26, in Mountain Home, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; brothers Glen, Garth, Guy, Gene and her sister Blanch. She is survived by her son Wade, daughter-in-law Sue from Mountain Home, grandson Chris and great-grandsons Alex and Kyle in Kennewick, Washington and many nieces and nephews.

Mom was a very vivacious, loving and gracious lady and will be greatly missed by all. You will live in my heart forever.