Baker City, Oregon
Roland Gorte, 74, of Baker City, died Nov. 13, 2002, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise.
His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Lenny Spooner of the church will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the First Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall.
Roland George Gorte was born on July 26, 1928, at Portland to Christian and Christina Pauley Gorte. He was the fourth child, with a sister born later, to make a family of five siblings.
He grew up in Portland, receiving his education there. He entered the U.S. Army on Oct. 26, 1946, and was honorably discharged on April 8, 1948.
After his discharge, he, his brother and his father purchased Baker City Garbage and moved to Baker City. He continued to be a part of the company until 1969.
After the business sold, he went to work at Ellingson Lumber Co. He remained there until January of 1993 when he retired.
Roland enjoyed people. He always seemed to know everyone; no matter where or what the situation, he enjoyed everyone. He treasured his children and grandchildren and was “Unc” to many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He enjoyed hunting trips with Rick and his friends, shopping and lunches out with Leslie and some of his favorite card games were with Lynne. He was proud of the accomplishments of Carol and her successful career. His friends and their card games at the Elks and his coffee buddies were a very important part of each day for him.
Roland and LaVelle Pritchard were married on Nov. 10, 1961, at Weiser. The celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary in 2001 was a memorable and honored occasion.
Survivors include his wife, LaVelle; a daughter, Carol; a son, Rick, and his wife, Debbie; daughter, Lynne; son-in-law, Mark Estes; sister, Florence, and her husband, Harold Fritzler; brother, Calvin, and his wife, Betty Gorte; granddaughters, April Rogers, and Randi and her husband, Chris Marshall; grandsons, Joshua Gorte, Jamie Gorte and Trevor Johnson; three great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons; many nieces and nephews; and his true buddy, his dog, Butch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, David and Robert; daughter, Leslie Estes; and two sisters, Ruth Honegger and Delores Van Marter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker County Senior Center or the Guide Dogs Inc. through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, November 22, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor