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Martha Marie Kollas Stephenson (known by all as Marti) died peacefully the evening of Nov. 18, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Born Aug. 16,1931, in the home purchased by her grandfather in 1894, Marti is preceded in passing by her parents Albert and Ruth Kollas.
Marti graduated from Odell High School in 1949 after serving as the Odell High Lite school paper editor, junior class vice president, and Glee Club piano accompanist. She went on to secure her BS in secretarial science from Oregon State College in 1953, where she was a member of the Phi Chi Theta Greek organization, the treasurer for her Alpha Phi sorority and also served on the Memorial Union Music Committee.
It was at college that she met and married Joe Werning. After they both graduated, they moved to Delaware as he pursued his work as a chemical engineer. Eventually they moved back to California and divorced. Marti later married Hobart “Bud” Stephenson Jr., with whom she had her son Derek. Marti and Bud divorced and Marti left the Los Angeles area to take a job with the Lawerence Livermore National Laboratory where she worked as resources manager for many years. After retirement, she enjoyed extensive travel in the Northwest and Canada with her longtime companion, Jack Hovingh, and her sister, Bette. In 1995, she moved back to Oregon on her own to live in Rhododendron at Timberline Rim, where she lived for many years and avidly gardened and developed many great friendships. Marti moved down to Lakeview when she married Bill Schrader, who passed away in 2019. Marti moved to Bend before returning to Hood River in 2024.
An accomplished pianist, Marti was never far from her ivories or her dogs. She served as an AKC Judge and bred German Shepards and Afghan Hounds for many years. Later she developed a love for Welsh Corgis and shared her homes with several brilliant retired champions over the years. Marti was also a very fine seamstress and developed a passion for designer bears and foxes, attending shows and developing a home filled with expressive characters whom she cherished to her final days. She also surrounded herself with artwork that she collected from around the world, covering her walls and furniture with inspirational beauty whenever she could.
Marti lived life as fully and vibrantly as she could, dressing in bright shades of yellow and red and filling her home with laughter, music, and brilliant color. There was not a bottle of bubbles she was not happy to pop nor a fine meal she would gladly share with her myriads of friends and family. Along with her avid focus in her dogs, piano, and sewing, Marti was a passionate cook, loved to travel and entertain, and explored the arts wherever she went.
Marti is survived by her sister Bette Andrew of Hood River, and son Derek (and his wife Karen) Stephenson, of Needles, California. She will be sorely missed by the many who’s life she touched across numerous state lines.
Raise your glass and toast a life filled with love, passion, and appreciation.
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Phi Chi Theta is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Sister Marti Stephenson. Our condolences to her family and friends.
Saundra Finley, Executive Director
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.