Baker City, Oregon
Minni Maxine Carnell, 71, a longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 3, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Her graveside funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. Pastor Ralph Holcomb will officiate.
Mrs. Carnell was born on Dec. 3, 1929, at Halfway to Henry and Georgia Koopman of Halfway. She was married to Kenneth “Bud” Carnell on May 8, 1948.
She often spoke of the reception that was held later that summer. The family held a huge dance party at the Halfway Dance Hall in celebration of the marriage.
Mrs. Carnell was a housewife and mother to three stepchildren. She worked in the foster parent care program from 1964 to 1979.
She also greatly enjoyed doing work as a volunteer. She helped in retirement centers and helped with local community events. She became a very active volunteer at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in 1992. She greatly enjoyed knitting and crocheting various keepsakes for her adopted son and his children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Carnell, who died on Feb. 13, 1964, while working at Ellingson Lumber Co. in Halfway; her parents, Henry and Georgia Koopman; and a sister, Donna Higgins.
Survivors include her domestic partner, Wendell Muncey of Baker City; her son, Mike Thornton, and his family, a daughter, Ashley Ren’ Thornton, and a son, Kenneth Lawerance Thornton; her oldest sister, Juanita Durette of Baker City; her nieces, LaRay Violette and Malva Knutson; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help pay for her health care bills.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 12, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor