Obituary of Lola Mary Munger

Lola Mary Munger Our beloved mother, Lola Mary Munger, passed away on October 5, 2011 at the age of 81. Lola was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1930. She was a first generation American born to parents Julius and Mary Kerekes who immigrated from Mezokovesd, Hungary in 1927 with her 5-year-old sister, Klara. Lola attended school in Toledo, graduating from Waite High School in 1948. She married her high school sweetheart and the love her life, Jack B. Munger, February 18, 1950. The couple moved to Empire, Michigan when Jack was stationed there as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Upon his discharge, they moved to southern California where they lived for the next 26 years. Jack joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department, as a Fireman in 1960. By now there were three children, a daughter Chris and two sons Michael and Steven. A third son, Scott was born in 1966. Jack retired from the fire department as a battalion chief in 1980. They moved to Olympia, Washington with their youngest son when Jack became the chief of the McClain Fire District. The rest of the children soon followed. Both Jack and Lola shared a love for music and dancing throughout their lives. While in high school, Lola attempted to join the marching band as a drummer but was told politely that the position was not opened to young ladies. She had a beautiful voice that earned her a solo performance her senior year singing “Ave Maria” in Waite's annual Christmas Program. This love for music would be passed on to all their children, however most notably to Steven and Scott who became well known local musicians in the Olympia area. In keeping with her personal anthem “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets”, in 1988 Jack bought Lola a new RX-7 convertible, red of course, complete with personal license plate “Lola Got.” Over the next 13 years, she could be seen driving around Olympia, usually with the top down, accompanied by one of her three grand-daughters, wearing the compulsory sun visor and sunglasses. Just a couple girls out cruising. That car always looked like it just came off the show room floor. Lola was a loving, generous wife, mother, grand-mother and great grandmother. No one that she knew ever was born, had a birthday, graduated, got married, had a baby, was sick, or lost a loved one that did not get a bouquet of flowers and a card she personally picked out. She was happiest when surrounded by her extended family and friends. She personified the words friend and neighbor. Lola also loved her animals and cared for them with all with incredible expertise. This was evident by of the longevity of the family dog (there was only one because she lived from the time we were in grade school until college) and her beloved cats who also lived to the unheard of age of 18 years. There were times in our house when there was a dog in the yard, a cat in the house, a bird singing in the living room, and an iguana in the bathtub. There was room in her heart for them all. She always had a bird feeder and their house at Summit Lake had a regular troop of visiting racoons that grew very fat under Lola care. Lola was a talented and enthusiastic gardener. She could make anything grow and bloom no matter how neglected, withered, or drooping. In California, total strangers driving by our house would stop and comment on her legendary rose garden. They were almost as gorgeous as the orchids growing inside the house. Lola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 45 years, Jack, in 1995, an infant son also named Michael Bradley in 1951, an infant daughter, Sandra Kay in 1955 and son Scott in 1996, her sister Klara and brother Julius. She is survived by her sons Michael L. Munger (Shelley Mayo-Fisher) of Shelton, and Steven A. Munger (Susan Amberson), of Olympia, daughter Chris Fitzgerald (Patrick), of Tumwater as well as six grand-children and three great grand-children. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed but there is much rejoicing in heaven as she is now reunited with so many that she missed for so long. We love you Mom, until we meet again. Please leave memories of Lola or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.