Rock Creek, Oregon
Orel Norma (Ensminger) Aldrich, 89, a longtime resident of Rock Creek near Haines, died March 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
The Rosary will be said Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets in Baker City. Her funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., with Deacon James Watts, Cliff Cole and Father Rob Irwin officiating. Vault interment will follow at Haines Cemetery, with a reception afterward at Haines United Methodist Church.
Visitations will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co.
Orel was born July 9, 1914, at Muddy Creek, the third of four daughters of George and Amy (Savage) Ensminger. She lived most of her life near Haines, a community she dearly loved. She attended schools in Haines and Muddy Creek, and graduated from Muddy Creek High School. In recent years she lived among new friends at Elkhorn Village in Baker City.
In 1934 she married Dorrell F. Spence, and they ranched in the local area for many years. They became the parents of two sons, Dorrell F. Spence Jr., and Dennis R. Spence.
She married George Aldrich in 1957 and continued to ranch and live in the local area.
Orel loved her family dearly and very much enjoyed farming, gardening, cooking and family reunions. She loved life and the people and things that were a part of it. She enjoyed outings. She loved rodeos, horse racing, picnics, the Oregon Coast, and just a friend or family member stopping by to visit. She continued to enjoy crossword puzzles, keeping her mind active. She loved to watch “Jeopardy!” each evening.
Orel is survived by her sister, Norma Walker of Baker City; sons and daughters-in-law, Dorrell F. Spence and his wife, Toye, of Baker City, and Dennis R. Spence and his wife, Kathleen, of Haines; grandsons, of whom she was proud and loved dearly, Dorrell III, Patrick, Jonathan, Jason and Matthew, and their families; as well as seven great-grandchildren. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Orel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; sisters, Myrtle Aldrich, Mae Vande Vanter and Belva Ensminger; and a beloved niece, Clarice Beach.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Eastern Oregon Museum in Haines or to a charity of one’s choice. This may be done through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, Or 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 19, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor