Mary Lou Brotherton
April 3, 1948 – September 14, 2020
Mary Lou Brotherton was born on April 3, 1948, in Yakima, Washington. As a young girl she was adopted into the Brotherton family by Bill and Ivy Brotherton and moved to Moses Lake where she attended school. Mary was the feisty little sister to four older brothers: Will, Sonny, Scott and Jerome.
In 1966 she married Jerry Staudenraus and moved to Ellensburg while he attended college. In 1968 they started a family with the birth of their daughter Heidi. After Jerry finished college, they moved to Walla Walla and their son Jason was born in 1972. Mary loved her home in Walla Walla and enjoyed her role as homemaker and raising her two young children. In 1980 they ventured back to Ephrata and then Moses Lake to be near the rest of their families.
Those who knew Mary would say she was adventurous and kind with quite a bit of “spice.” Her grandchildren have fond memories of being with Grandma “Lou,” playing games and always receiving her full attention.
Mary is survived by her daughter Heidi Martinez (Dean) of Moses Lake and son Jason Staudenraus (Yasmin) of Seattle; brothers Will Brotherton (Kris) of Moses Lake, Sonny Brotherton of Orland, California, and Jerome Brotherton (Sharon) of Moses Lake; four grandchildren Cody, Jacob, Bella and Marcos and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Ivy Brotherton and brother Scott Brotherton.
Later in life Mary received a lot of care from her daughter. Heidi coordinated many doctor visits, grocery shopping, house cleaning and wellness checks and was always there to support her in any possible way even if it meant having to share the same space with her somewhat vicious cat Socksy.
The family would like to thank all who supported Mary through the years including first responders, caregivers, nurses and hospital staff at Samaritan Hospital and Columbia Crest Nursing Home. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
A celebration of life will be held at the home of Dean and Heidi Martinez on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. All who wish to support the family and honor Mary are welcome to attend.