Myra Berger

Myra Lee (Jarbeaux)Berger died peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2025, at age 92, after a previous evening of joy surrounded by her two sons, their wives, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, nursing her favorite; a gin and tonic! Myra was born to Eileen and Ray Jarbeaux on January 28, 1933, in Spokane, Washington. Being an only child, Myra spent a lot of time roller skating to her various friends’ houses, who were like a second family to her. She also spent time with their next-door neighbor while Ray and Ilene were at work. Myra loved school and enjoyed learning. She especially enjoyed her high school days at John R. Rogers High School in Spokane, from where she graduated. That fall, on November 3rd, 1951, she married Mathias (Matt) Berger. They started their family, with Rick (Rickter), born in 1952, Theresa, born in 1953, Roxanne, born in 1956, and Gordon, born in 1958. Myra’s four children were her loves and her life. She was actively involved in all of their activities, from school projects and programs to knowing all of her children’s friends and their families. Soon after their third child, Roxanne, was born, the family moved from Spokane to Wenatchee, where Matt had accepted a job at the Cascadian Hotel. Myra was able to stay at home, raising their, then, four children. There was then another move to Tacoma, where Matt had accepted another job at the Winthrop Hotel, while Myra would stay at home taking care of the household duties and taking care of their four growing children. After a couple of years in Tacoma, Matt would again, accept a position as Chef, at the Chieftain Motel and Restaurant, moving the family back to Wenatchee. Myra would, once again, stay home for a couple more years until all of their children were in school. She then accepted a position as a waitress at the Chieftain, where she and Matt would stay for many years to come. All the time while working at the restaurant, Myra and Matt also purchased an orchard as their new home. This obviously made their life a lot busier, but enjoyable. This is where they built their home for the rest of their lives. After her time as a waitress at the Chieftain, Myra took a position in the local office of the U.S. Forest Service, doing assorted office work jobs. After the children were grown, Myra and Matt were again on the move as they worked at various restaurants on the Westside of the state, finally coming back to Wenatchee managing the kitchen at Alcoa. Myra and Matt would spend a couple more years traveling around the world with relatives and friends. After Matt died in February of 1993, Myra continued her travels with relatives and close friends. After Matt’s death, she continued to work for a couple more years, then retired to enjoy her children and grandchildren who were in the Wenatchee area. Myra loved to help others through volunteering. She found another group of fine people when she joined the local Kiwanis club. Her fellow Kiwanians quickly became some of her closest, dearest friends. She was always excited to participate in their fundraising and charitable outreach activities in the community. She looked forward to their weekly meetings. A number of years later, her diminishing health forced her to reduce her activities. This also caused her to forego the trips that she loved and looked forward to visiting her children and grandchildren who lived out-of-town. Although she could no longer get around very well, she still enjoyed many visits by family and friends. Her last day, Saturday, June 7th, was marked by the wedding of her youngest son, Gordon, to Katrina Murray, in a beautiful backyard setting. She thoroughly enjoyed having all of her grandchildren with her, and loved watching her great grandchildren running around, enjoying each other…she was quite happy, and, in her own words, “I’m ready to go home.” Myra is survived by her two sons, Rick, and his wife, Molly; Gordon, and his wife, Kat. Her six grandchildren, Nicholas, and his wife, Teresa; Stephanie, and her husband, Shaun; Patricia, Klanke, and her husband, Mark; Melissa Klanke, and her husband, Scott; Alyssa (Berger)Lamers, and her husband, Everett; and Sean Berger. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Alden Manning, Eddy Manning, Simon Berger, Connor Grubert, Rhett Grubert, and Maryn Grubert, along with a number of nieces, a nephew, and many friends. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Matt Berger; parents, Ray and Eileen Jarbeaux; daughters, Theresa Berger and Roxanne (Berger) Klanke, along with numerous relatives and friends. Her funeral Mass is scheduled for July 25th, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Church in Wenatchee, with a reception to follow. Heritage Funeral Home is managing arrangements.

Myra Berger

January 28, 1933 - June 8, 2025