Muriel Elaine Oliver Winterscheid passed away on February 15, 2017. A long-time resident of Mercer Island, she is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dr. Loren Winterscheid. Her surviving children include John Winterscheid of Seattle, Washington; Gail Winterscheid of Mercer Island, Washington; Laurel Robinson of Alameda, California; Genevieve Matteson of Olympia, Washington; and George Winterscheid of Hillsboro, Oregon. Her cherished daughter, Ann Wright, and beloved younger sister, Marian Joanne Oliver Block, predeceased her in 2016. In addition to her husband, her children and their spouses, Muriel is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Born on August 4, 1926, to George and Genevieve Oliver in Salem, Oregon, Muriel grew up in Yakima, Washington. An outstanding athlete and scholar, Muriel attended Willamette University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. She met Loren at Willamette University. Upon graduation, he followed Muriel to Philadelphia where they both attended University of Pennsylvania graduate programs. They were married December 30, 1948. Muriel completed her Master of Arts degree in 1951 while caring for her young family.

Muriel and Loren moved to Mercer Island in 1954. Over the past 62 plus years Muriel played an active role in her community both at the local and state level. Interested in genealogy she became involved with groups including the Fiske Library, the Pioneer Association of Washington, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the National Society of Colonial Dames, the Baronial Order of the Magna Carta, and the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne. As a leader of the Mortar Board Alumni/Tolo Foundation and an alumna of Willamette University, she was instrumental in creating endowed scholarships that recognized those who strove for a higher education while contributing to their communities. Muriel led Mortar Board Alumni’s successful statewide campaign to recognize Homer Hadley, the engineer who designed the first Mercer Island I-90 floating bridge. As a result, the State of Washington named the second I-90 floating bridge in honor of Homer Hadley in 1993. Muriel adored music – she shared her beautiful voice with others, filled her home with magnificent piano music, and served on the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church Organ Committee. An exceptional athlete, she posed a serious threat on the tennis courts and could be found skiing down the slopes of the Cascades, swimming in Lake Washington or snorkeling off Maui. In retirement, Muriel continued to be active in the community. She and Loren spent many warm winters in Hawaii and moved to Covenant Shores in 2009. Muriel practiced her faith every day and always sought to contribute to the greater good.

Services will be held at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Willamette University – Office of Advancement, c/o the Loren and Muriel Winterscheid Scholarship Fund, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301.