Martha Stifter

11/08/1929 — 06/02/2020

From Richland, WA | Born in Mapleton, KS

Martha Stifter

We celebrate the life of Martha Ellen Stifter who departed this world on June 2, 2020. Martha was one of the last of the “golden generation” whose life spanned World War II and the Great Depression, two major historical events. At the time of her death, she was 90 years old and lived in Richland, Washington.
She was born November 8, 1929 in Mapleton, Kansas to Edgar Clark and Esther Johnson. While attending high school in Kennewick, Washington, she met her life-long love – James E. Stifter. Jim and Martha married on July 6, 1947. Mom Stifter was preceded in death by Dad in1994 and son, James A. Stifter in 2013.

Martha lived a full life. In her earlier years while raising her children, she was a stay at home mom. She loved having family gatherings, playing “Marbles”, Croquet, and Scrabble. Martha also enjoyed our many family reunions at Sheep Creek, boating, attending the Richland Alliance Church and her many friends here in the Tri-Cities.

After raising her family, Martha began a career at Battelle Northwest Laboratories as an Executive Secretary to some of the World’s leading Scientist. One of the highlights of her career was working and traveling while assisting in research on “The Effects of Nuclear Weapons Testing in the Hawaiian Atolls”.

After retiring, Martha traveled extensively. Some of her many travels included trips to Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Israel and Thailand (where she actually rode an elephant). Also, while on a Caribbean cruise, she visited several islands and made passage through the Panama Canal.

Her interests included family and reading, especially historical novels. Martha also enjoyed antique auctions, collecting Persian rugs, antique furniture and furnishings while living in Warner Robins, GA for seven years before returning to her beloved “Tri-Cities”.

Mom Stifter is survived by her three children: Mark Stifter (wife Carmen), Dr. Shawn Stifter (wife Dr. Naomi) and Sylvia Kunkler (husband Guy). She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The world will not be the same place without “Mom Stifter” as she will be greatly missed by her beloved family and friends.

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Martha Stifter

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  • I just found out that now Martha and her sweet baby girl are united. So sad to hear about her passing.

    Patricia Stordahl
    October 31, 2023
    Whidbey Island Washington
  • So sorry for your loss, Sylvia.

    Kevin Ryan
    September 4, 2020
    Mill Creek, Wa.
  • We were Meals on Wheels delivery folks to Martha.. We had to drop out at the beginning of the COVID 19 shut down. We surely missed seeing Martha and her dogs, Wilson and Maggy. Martha was a favorite on our route and was also a favorite as mentioned by the other drivers.

    We were anxious to reconnect with Martha when we resume delivering. Sadly we will greatly miss chatting with her.

    Don and Claudia Romsos
    June 10, 2020
    Richland, WA
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