La Grande Oregon

Baxter, Duane D.

La Grande, Oregon Duane D. Baxter, 55, of La Grande, died at his home Nov. 3. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the La Grande LDS Stake center on Gekeler Lane. A viewing will run from 6 to 7 tonight at Loveland Funeral Home. Duane was born Dec. 4, 1951, to Bryce and Arlene Baxter in La Grande. He was the oldest of seven children. He married Christine Larsen of Pendleton on May 4, 1976, in the Manti Temple in Manti, Utah. He graduated from North Bend High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s of education … Read more

Senter, Willetta Wyatt Vaughn Mrs. – Obituary

Willetta Vaughn Senter, 80, of Pendleton, a former resident of La Grande and Baker City, died July 11, 2002, at Pendleton. Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Island City Cemetery. Harold McKay will officiate. Mrs. Senter was born on Jan. 30, 1922, at Boring, Ky., to William Gibson and Louann Foister Wyatt. She was educated in Laurel County, Ky. During World War II she worked as a seamstress and as a tobacco sorter in the tobacco barns. She married Robert L. Vaughn Sr. in October of 1946 in Kentucky. In 1960 they moved to the … Read more

Thilenius, Carol – Obituary

Carol Thilenius, 73, of Juneau, Alaska, and formerly of La Grande, died May 6 in her sleep at home. No formal services are planned. Family may be contacted at dmthilenius@aol.com. Carol was born in 1935 in La Grande. She was a graduate of La Grande High School. According to her family, she was a teacher, professional handweaver and marine biologist of considerable skill. She taught handweaving at the University of Alaska Southeast for many years but more recently had become interested in geology, micro fossils and botany. She traveled extensively in Africa, South and Central America and Australia, collecting plants … Read more

Goodnough, Mary E. Mrs. – Obituary

Pioneer Matron Of Grande Ronde Valley Succumbs Mrs. Mary E. Goodnough, 84 died Saturday evening in the Island City home of her daughter, Mrs. James Y. Walnum. Mrs. Goodnough was born in Richardson County, Nebraska, Dec 21, 1860, and crossed the plains in 1862 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Bay. They left the famous “Iowa” train, captained by Micaja Baker, at Auburn, but the next spring came on to La Grande. In 1882, Mary Bay married Charles D. Goodnough, contractor and cabinetmaker, who died here in 1929. A pioneer of 82 years residence in La Grande, Mrs. Goodnough … Read more

Helman, Terry – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Terry Helman, 62, of La Grande, died May 30, 2003, at his home. A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the La Grande Eagles Lodge. Mr. Helman was born on Sept. 19, 1940, at La Grande to Virgil and Cleo Campbell Helman. He was a 1958 La Grande High School graduate. He served with the Oregon National Guard and later became active in the U.S. Army. On Aug. 21, 1961, he married Marilyn Scott at Boise. The marriage later ended in divorce. On May 7, 1982, he married Carolyn Roberts. … Read more

Hug, Glen – Obituary

Many Attend Last Rites Of Late Glen Hug Friends and relatives from every neighborhood of the Elgin district and from many districts in Union county were present at the Christian church in Elgin at 2:30 Sunday afternoon to honor and pay a tribute of respect to the late Glenn Hug, who passed from this mortal life at Grande Ronde Hospital, early Thursday morning, September 24, 1942. Having been born near Elgin and having spent his entire life here, as well as being a member of one of the largest families in Union county, the attendance at the funeral services, and … Read more

Lee, Eileen Cochrane Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Eileen Lee, 91, a longtime Baker City resident, died at her home on Jan. 27, 2003. Her memorial service will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1995 Fourth St. The Rev. Susan Barnes will officiate. At Mrs. Lee’s request, a private interment of her cremated remains will be at the North Powder Cemetery. Eileen was born June 24, 1911, in Baker City, the only child of Edgar and Susan Browning Cochrane of Haines. Eileen attended school in Haines until 1924, when her parents moved to Baker City. She was a 1929 Baker … Read more

Fisher, Emma Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon The death of Mrs. Emma Rundall Fisher occurred at a LaGrande hospital to which she was rushed from her home in Enterprise, after a severe illness of long duration which required an operation from which she did not recover. Mrs. Fisher was an early pioneer coming to this valley and locating with her family near Union and with her husband, Hiram Fisher, moved to Cove where they resided until going to Enterprise some 35 years ago. She was born on a trek of wagon-train movers, coming west between Iowa and Kansas before making the remainder of … Read more

McShane, Kirk V. – Obituary

Kirk V. McShane, 52, formerly of La Grande, died June 29 in Portland. A memorial service was conducted July 5. Mr. McShane was born Jan. 30, 1954, to Francis and Margaret McShane in Ontario, and graduated from La Grande High School in 1974. He moved to Portland, where he worked for several music warehouses and stores. He graduated from Portland State University and became a distribution manager for Graybar Electric. He married Denise P. Belanger in 1984. Survivors include his wife; his mother of La Grande; brothers, Brian, Michael, Jeffrey and Gregory; sisters, Rebecca and Maureen; and other relatives. His … Read more

Stevens, Gladys H. – Obituary

LaGrande, Oregon Gladys H. Stevens, 80, of La Grande died April 12 at a local care home. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Summerville Cemetery Chapel. Loveland Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. Mrs. Stevens was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Hubbard to Claus T. and Anna (Grand) Isaacson. She married Richard L. Stevens in Laramie, Wyo. June 14, 1945. Her husband died April 20, 1992. As a young girl, Mrs. Stevens grew up in the timber camps of Wyoming near Laramie. She was an avid skier and spent much of her time outdoors. In June … Read more

Brandt, Shelby Lynn Strange – Obituary

Shelby Lynn Strange Brandt Shelby Brandt, a former Enterprise resident, died April 21, 2007, in La Grande. She was 23. A memorial service will be held in La Grande April 26 at 1 p.m. at Riverside Park. A complete obituary will follow at a later date. Wallowa County Chieftain, Enterprise, Oregon, April 26, 2007 Contributed By: Sue Wells Second Obit. Shelby Lynn Strange Brandt died suddenly April 21, 2007, in La Grande. She was 23. Ms. Brandt was born Feb. 7, 1984, in Eureka, Calif. She attended elementary schools in Humboldt County, and secondary schools in Eastern Oregon. She graduated … Read more

Talbott, Mary Ann – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Mary Ann Talbott Mary Ann Talbott, 92, of La Grande died Feb.2 at a local care center. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Mrs. Talbott was born Sept. 27, 1914, to Matthew and Matilda (Matijevich) Svetich in Bingham Canyon, Utah. Her father had come from Yugoslavia to Utah in 1910 and two years later was joined by her mother and eldest sister. After her father died as a result of working in the copper mines, her mother met and married … Read more

Fennell, Thomas D. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Thomas D. Fennell, 69, of Sutherlin and formerly of La Grande, died June 11. A memorial service is planned for June 28 in Sutherlin. Chapel of the Roses in Roseburg is in charge of arrangements. Thomas was born June 11, 1939, to Grady and Lorene (Priest) Fennell in Monticello, Ark. In 1947, the Fennell family moved to the Sutherlin area. Thomas graduated from Sutherlin High School in 1957, and enlisted in the Army 87th Airborne unit. He was stationed in Germany and while serving his country enjoyed parachute jumping. After completing his military service, he became a … Read more

Cherry, Ida May – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Ida May Cherry, 91, resident of 1108 Penn. Ave., and a retired business woman, died Friday at a local hospital. Mrs. Cherry was the daughter of the late U. S. Sen. James H. Slater and Mrs. Edna E. Gray Slater, pioneer residents of the Grande Ronde Valley. Her father served in the Senate from 1878 to 1884. Her husband, the late A. B. Cherry was the founder of Cherry Florist here in 1916. She also assisted in the operation of this business. Mrs. Cherry was the last living charter member of Hope Chapter No. 12, … Read more

Smart, Mildred Lucille – Obituary

Mildred Lucille Smart, 92, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 1 at a care center in Salem. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in La Grande. Private burial was held at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande. Mildred was born on June 11, 1915, to Ferris and Grace (Wakeland) Miller in Evansville, Ind. On Feb. 26, 1935, she married Alva Asa Smart in Evansville. The couple moved to Missouri, Arizona and Southern and Northern California before finally settling in La Grande in 1997. Alva preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 2004. … Read more

Johnson, Robert E. – Obituary

Robert E. “B.J.” Johnson, 74, of Barstow, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 15 at his home from complications of colon cancer. A memorial service was held Feb. 24 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, Wash. Einan’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He was born April 2, 1933, the first of five children, to Alva and Macel Johnson in St. Paul, Ark. After serving four years as a fighter jet radar technician in the U.S. Air Force and receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Richland to pursue his collegiate education and follow his dreams of … Read more

Rose, Arthur Delbert – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon Arthur Delbert Rose, 87, died Friday, Sept 30, 1994, at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence, La Grande, after an extended illness. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Enterprise Cemetery with the Rev. Ed Morrison officiating. Bollman Funeral Home of Enterprise is in charge of the arrangements. Mr. Rose was born Jan. 24, 1907, in Mabton, Wash., to George and Matilda Rose. When he was a young boy his family moved to Wallowa County. He attended the Swamp Creek School. He married Isabelle (Belle) Heskett on May 10, 1932. He … Read more

Kail, Mary Braughton – Obituary

Mary Kail of 1208 11th St. died Sunday, June 3 at Grande Ronde Hospital at the age of 80. Mrs. Kail was born Feb. 23, 1893 at Boring, Ky., the daughter of John and Lavicia Braughton. She came to Wallowa County at the age of nine and was a graduate of Eastern Oregon College. She began teaching in Wallowa County at the age of 17. She taught in Wallowa and Union counties for more than 50 years. She taught all grades and was principal of Island City and Perry schools. In 1940 she ran for county school superintendent. She began … Read more

McKenzie, Myra June (Glenn) – Obituary

Myra J. McKenzie of Summerville died on Thursday at a local hospital at the age of 82. Mrs. McKenzie was born June 4, 1888 at Summerville, the daughter of Tolbert T. and Sarah Glenn. She attended Pleasant Grove school. On December 23, 1913 she was married to Clyde McKenzie in La Grande. Survivors include her husband Clyde and one son Glen both of Summerville; nieces, Violet Glenn Maughan, Eugene; Ena Glenn Warnock, Lostine; Mildred Standley Beedle, Reno, Nev.; Bonnie Settlemire Higinbotham, Central Point; Pauline Rinehart Hartsock and Jean Rinehart Thorson, both of California; Geneva Glenn Hamm, Portland; and Carol Glenn … Read more

West, Mae Robinson – Obituary

Life Long Resident Of County Succumbs Mae Robinson West well known long time pioneer resident of La Grande, passed away at the St. Joseph Hospital October 29, 1961 at the age of 82. Mrs. West was the daughter of George Washington Robinson and Susan Bay who came to Oregon in a covered wagon in the 1800’s. Mrs. West was born in La Grande on February 3, 1879. Mrs. West and her sister operated a seamstress business in La Grande in the late 1800’s continuing this business until 1902. Mrs. West then went to work as the first telephone operator in … Read more