Ann Marie Stout, 64, of Baker City, died May 18, 2009, at her home after a brief battle with cancer with her loving husband, Del, by her side.
Her graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Dale Bingham will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the Eagles Lodge, 2935 H St., after the service.
Ann was born Oct. 27, 1944, at Whittier, Calif., to Tom and Danette Willey. She married Del Stout on September 12, 1964, in Covina, Calif. They had three children: Doug, Rick and Debbie; and in 1973 the couple decided they wanted to raise their children in a smaller, close-knit community. With little money in their pockets, they came to Baker City and bought a small farm just outside of town.
Ann was a dedicated homemaker and took pride in raising her three children. She did whatever she could to make them happy and enjoyed seeing them smile. Once her daughter, Debbie, was finished with elementary school in 1982 Ann decided it was time to join the workforce and began an 11-year career as a secretary for Pioneer Bank in Baker City. She enjoyed working with the public and made some lifelong friends there. Ann was a very friendly person and one who always supported her husband and children on all their endeavors.
After leaving the bank in 1993, Ann and Del owned and operated Stout Distributing Candy Business, Wilson’s Warehouse Market and most recently, Elkhorn Lanes and Little Susie’s Meat Market.
She enjoyed being around others and meeting new people. As a member of the Eagles Lodge since 1984 she had many opportunities to do just that. While at home, Ann loved working in her yard and gardening. She also longed for those hot sunny Baker City days to sit on her back deck and bask in the sun while reading a book. When she wasn’t at home reading, gardening, or working with Del, she adored spending quality time with all her grandchildren, and she supported them in whatever they were doing.
Survivors include her husband of nearly 45 years, Del; her parents, Tom and Danette Willey of Henderson, Nev.; her brothers, Harry Willey of Las Vegas, Nev., Steven and his wife Kathy Willey of Galt, Calif., Dan and his wife Terri Willey, and Alan Willey, all of Las Vegas; sons, Doug and his wife, Sue, of Phoenix, Ariz., Rick and his wife, Julie, of Baker City and daughter Debbie Profitt of Nampa, Idaho; grandchildren, Luke Sells, Christopher Sells and Katie Stout, all of Baker City, Michael, Tanner and McKensi Profitt of Nampa, Idaho; her three “grand dogs” Maggie, Hazel and Goliath of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother John James Willey.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elkhorn Aerie 3456 Scholarship Fund in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 20, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor