La Grande, Oregon
Catherine Audna McNeil, 90, of La Grande, died Dec. 20. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande is in charge of arrangements.
Catherine was born Jan. 13, 1917, to Walter and Laura (Wittenburg) Winburn in Des Moines, Iowa. The family moved to the Grande Ronde Valley when she was young. On Aug. 1, 1937, she married Bertrand L. McNeil in La Grande.
While their son was young she stayed at home and was involved with the PTA. When he got into junior high she worked at the soda fountain at Powell Graham’s Drug Store. She later worked for Radio Music Supply and then Williamson Insurance before working in the county treasurer’s office until her retirement.
Catherine was a member of the La Grande Church of the Nazarene and was active with the Helen Temple Missionary group. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved planting flowers. She enjoyed camping, making afghans, going to the coast and cooking. She enjoyed her trip to Hawaii for their 60th anniversary and the Alaskan cruise they took for their 65th anniversary, both in the company of their son and daughter-in-law.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Sherry McNeil; grandchildren and their spouses; several great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Oneta and Brice Bonewitz of Reedsport; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Jan. 30, 2005; and a sister, Clara Winburn.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Grande Church of the Nazarene.
La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending January 12, 2008 – Published Jan. 9, 2008