Baker City, Oregon
Ella Marie Geils Craven, 94, of Baker City died February 17, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Ella was born on May 12, 1909, at Baker City, the second daughter of eight children born to Fred G. and Bertha Sophia Schiller Geils. She attended Baker City schools. She married Loren G. Craven of Baker City in 1927. They had two children, Carol and Arnold.
The family moved to Boise, Idaho in 1941 where Ella worked many years at the Boise Water Co. and Loren was a baker for Eddy’s Bakery. In 1951, Loren enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and home was many places, until 1971 when they returned to Baker City.
Ella said Baker was always their home. She traveled extensively in these years and lived in Europe, Alaska and eight different states. She said the water was best here of anywhere she had lived and she loved the mountains.
Although she worked cashiering and selling for 32 years, she loved being home and caring for her family. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed needlepoint, and making afghans, 38 of which she gave to relatives and friends. She had much sadness in her lifetime, but she continued to smile. She also enjoyed playing cards, pinochle and bridge.
Survivors include her four granddaughters, Pamela of Indiana, Lynetta of Texas, Angela of Idaho and Bonnita of Washington; and several dear nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Loren; her two children, Carol Scott and Arnold Craven; three brothers, Walter, George, and Ralph Geils; four sisters, Aletha Howe Mayo, Mabel Voyles, Doris Washington, and Anna May Morey; and two grandsons, Bill and Dan Murdoch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Center or to the charity of one’s choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 27, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor