Lorraine Lea Whiteaker peacefully passed away at the age of 84 on September 25, 2012 in Portland, Oregon. Lorraine will be remembered for her grace, determination and vibrancy as a person. She truly leaves a void that cannot be filled and a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Lorraine was born on September 15, 1928 in Oregon City, Oregon to parents Evelyn and Richard Rothenberg. She grew up in the Portland area and graduated from Jefferson High School. Even as a child Lorraine was artistic and wished that when she grew up she could become a ballet dancer.
In 1951 Lorraine had a life changing moment when she married the love of her life, Ellison Whiteaker and began a wonderful life together in their starter home on Schuyler Avenue, living there for a few years before building a home in Milwaukie, Oregon. Whit and Lorraine loved to dance and play bridge. They enjoyed each other's company and were excited when they started their family. They had three children: David, Beth and Curt. Lorraine was proud to be a stay at home mom and worked hard to make her family happy. She was committed to ensuring that her children had every possibility to be happy and successful. She passionately supported piano, dance and swimming lessons along with being active members of Milwaukie Presbyterian Church. She also took particular pride to always be home for her kids when they arrived home from school. In 1972 the family moved to Yakima, Washington. After moving to Yakima, Whit and Lorraine were extremely active in many areas of ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the WSU Master Gardner's Program and were members of many dance clubs.
As a family they camped at the Oregon Coast, boated on the Columbia, took summer vacations in Eastern Oregon and Disneyland. Lorraine accompanied Whit on many business trips to Asia and South America. Later when the children had grown Lorraine and Whit greatly enjoyed their retirement. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in their RV. Before Whit's passing they enjoyed a memorable trip to Europe. They also took a special vacation to Disneyland, twice, where they brought their young grandchildren. They were truly committed to their family and to each other.
Tragedy stuck Lorraine in 1999 when her beloved Whit passed away. Lorraine took some time to process her grief, pick herself up, and with passion for her new life and determination, Lorraine simply plowed ahead. She kept her spacious three bedroom home and garden immaculate and constantly was thinking of ways to improve her environment and herself. She attended water aerobics three times a week, played bridge twice a week at the Harman Center and was an avid Mariner's fan. There were times that Lorraine did miss her husband and the fun they shared together. She didn't travel as much as she use to but she found new ways to bring joy into her life.
Surrounded by her family Lorraine took her final breaths, fortunate to have the time to say her good byes. She will be dearly remembered by her children: Beth Davidson and Curt Whiteaker, grandchildren: Sean Whiteaker, Alicia Stell, Drew Whiteaker and Joel Davidson, a dear sister, Charlene Runnells and daughter-in-law Nancy Whiteaker. She is preceeded in death by her husband Ellison, a son David and a granddaughter Melissa Davidson.
Lorraine was born on September 15, 1928 in Oregon City, Oregon to parents Evelyn and Richard Rothenberg. She grew up in the Portland area and graduated from Jefferson High School. Even as a child Lorraine was artistic and wished that when she grew up she could become a ballet dancer.
In 1951 Lorraine had a life changing moment when she married the love of her life, Ellison Whiteaker and began a wonderful life together in their starter home on Schuyler Avenue, living there for a few years before building a home in Milwaukie, Oregon. Whit and Lorraine loved to dance and play bridge. They enjoyed each other's company and were excited when they started their family. They had three children: David, Beth and Curt. Lorraine was proud to be a stay at home mom and worked hard to make her family happy. She was committed to ensuring that her children had every possibility to be happy and successful. She passionately supported piano, dance and swimming lessons along with being active members of Milwaukie Presbyterian Church. She also took particular pride to always be home for her kids when they arrived home from school. In 1972 the family moved to Yakima, Washington. After moving to Yakima, Whit and Lorraine were extremely active in many areas of ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the WSU Master Gardner's Program and were members of many dance clubs.
As a family they camped at the Oregon Coast, boated on the Columbia, took summer vacations in Eastern Oregon and Disneyland. Lorraine accompanied Whit on many business trips to Asia and South America. Later when the children had grown Lorraine and Whit greatly enjoyed their retirement. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in their RV. Before Whit's passing they enjoyed a memorable trip to Europe. They also took a special vacation to Disneyland, twice, where they brought their young grandchildren. They were truly committed to their family and to each other.
Tragedy stuck Lorraine in 1999 when her beloved Whit passed away. Lorraine took some time to process her grief, pick herself up, and with passion for her new life and determination, Lorraine simply plowed ahead. She kept her spacious three bedroom home and garden immaculate and constantly was thinking of ways to improve her environment and herself. She attended water aerobics three times a week, played bridge twice a week at the Harman Center and was an avid Mariner's fan. There were times that Lorraine did miss her husband and the fun they shared together. She didn't travel as much as she use to but she found new ways to bring joy into her life.
Surrounded by her family Lorraine took her final breaths, fortunate to have the time to say her good byes. She will be dearly remembered by her children: Beth Davidson and Curt Whiteaker, grandchildren: Sean Whiteaker, Alicia Stell, Drew Whiteaker and Joel Davidson, a dear sister, Charlene Runnells and daughter-in-law Nancy Whiteaker. She is preceeded in death by her husband Ellison, a son David and a granddaughter Melissa Davidson.
Lorraine Lea Whiteaker peacefully passed away at the age of 84 on September 25, 2012 in Portland, Oregon. Lorraine will be remembered for her grace, determination and vibrancy as a person. She truly leaves a void that cannot be filled and a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Lorraine was born on September 15, 1928 in Oregon City, Oregon to parents Evelyn and Richard Rothenberg. She grew up in the Portland area and graduated from Jefferson High School. Even as a child Lorraine was artistic and wished that when she grew up she could become a ballet dancer.
In 1951 Lorraine had a life changing moment when she married the love of her life, Ellison Whiteaker and began a wonderful life together in their starter home on Schuyler Avenue, living there for a few years before building a home in Milwaukie, Oregon. Whit and Lorraine loved to dance and play bridge. They enjoyed each other's company and were excited when they started their family. They had three children: David, Beth and Curt. Lorraine was proud to be a stay at home mom and worked hard to make her family happy. She was committed to ensuring that her children had every possibility to be happy and successful. She passionately supported piano, dance and swimming lessons along with being active members of Milwaukie Presbyterian Church. She also took particular pride to always be home for her kids when they arrived home from school. In 1972 the family moved to Yakima, Washington. After moving to Yakima, Whit and Lorraine were extremely active in many areas of ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the WSU Master Gardner's Program and were members of many dance clubs.
As a family they camped at the Oregon Coast, boated on the Columbia, took summer vacations in Eastern Oregon and Disneyland. Lorraine accompanied Whit on many business trips to Asia and South America. Later when the children had grown Lorraine and Whit greatly enjoyed their retirement. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in their RV. Before Whit's passing they enjoyed a memorable trip to Europe. They also took a special vacation to Disneyland, twice, where they brought their young grandchildren. They were truly committed to their family and to each other.
Tragedy stuck Lorraine in 1999 when her beloved Whit passed away. Lorraine took some time to process her grief, pick herself up, and with passion for her new life and determination, Lorraine simply plowed ahead. She kept her spacious three bedroom home and garden immaculate and constantly was thinking of ways to improve her environment and herself. She attended water aerobics three times a week, played bridge twice a week at the Harman Center and was an avid Mariner's fan. There were times that Lorraine did miss her husband and the fun they shared together. She didn't travel as much as she use to but she found new ways to bring joy into her life.
Surrounded by her family Lorraine took her final breaths, fortunate to have the time to say her good byes. She will be dearly remembered by her children: Beth Davidson and Curt Whiteaker, grandchildren: Sean Whiteaker, Alicia Stell, Drew Whiteaker and Joel Davidson, a dear sister, Charlene Runnells and daughter-in-law Nancy Whiteaker. She is preceeded in death by her husband Ellison, a son David and a granddaughter Melissa Davidson.
Lorraine was born on September 15, 1928 in Oregon City, Oregon to parents Evelyn and Richard Rothenberg. She grew up in the Portland area and graduated from Jefferson High School. Even as a child Lorraine was artistic and wished that when she grew up she could become a ballet dancer.
In 1951 Lorraine had a life changing moment when she married the love of her life, Ellison Whiteaker and began a wonderful life together in their starter home on Schuyler Avenue, living there for a few years before building a home in Milwaukie, Oregon. Whit and Lorraine loved to dance and play bridge. They enjoyed each other's company and were excited when they started their family. They had three children: David, Beth and Curt. Lorraine was proud to be a stay at home mom and worked hard to make her family happy. She was committed to ensuring that her children had every possibility to be happy and successful. She passionately supported piano, dance and swimming lessons along with being active members of Milwaukie Presbyterian Church. She also took particular pride to always be home for her kids when they arrived home from school. In 1972 the family moved to Yakima, Washington. After moving to Yakima, Whit and Lorraine were extremely active in many areas of ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the WSU Master Gardner's Program and were members of many dance clubs.
As a family they camped at the Oregon Coast, boated on the Columbia, took summer vacations in Eastern Oregon and Disneyland. Lorraine accompanied Whit on many business trips to Asia and South America. Later when the children had grown Lorraine and Whit greatly enjoyed their retirement. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in their RV. Before Whit's passing they enjoyed a memorable trip to Europe. They also took a special vacation to Disneyland, twice, where they brought their young grandchildren. They were truly committed to their family and to each other.
Tragedy stuck Lorraine in 1999 when her beloved Whit passed away. Lorraine took some time to process her grief, pick herself up, and with passion for her new life and determination, Lorraine simply plowed ahead. She kept her spacious three bedroom home and garden immaculate and constantly was thinking of ways to improve her environment and herself. She attended water aerobics three times a week, played bridge twice a week at the Harman Center and was an avid Mariner's fan. There were times that Lorraine did miss her husband and the fun they shared together. She didn't travel as much as she use to but she found new ways to bring joy into her life.
Surrounded by her family Lorraine took her final breaths, fortunate to have the time to say her good byes. She will be dearly remembered by her children: Beth Davidson and Curt Whiteaker, grandchildren: Sean Whiteaker, Alicia Stell, Drew Whiteaker and Joel Davidson, a dear sister, Charlene Runnells and daughter-in-law Nancy Whiteaker. She is preceeded in death by her husband Ellison, a son David and a granddaughter Melissa Davidson.
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See more Whiteaker or Rothenberg memorials in:
- Willamette National Cemetery Whiteaker or Rothenberg
- Portland Whiteaker or Rothenberg
- Multnomah County Whiteaker or Rothenberg
- Oregon Whiteaker or Rothenberg
- USA Whiteaker or Rothenberg
- Find a Grave Whiteaker or Rothenberg
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