Ava A. Pifher, 95, of Baker City, died Feb. 18, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. She was the last of the Baldock family, namesakes of the Baldock Slough near Baker City.
Her funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Visitations will be from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, at Gray’s West & Co. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the St. Francis Parish Hall, First and Church streets, after the service.
Ava was born on Aug. 5, 1912, at Baker City to Earl and Vera Baldock. After their deaths, Ava and her sister, Ada, where raised at the Mooseheart School in Mooseheart, Ill., where they remained until they graduated from high school.
Ava married Charles Edward Pifher on Feb. 15, 1934, at Baker City.
She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and camping in the mountains. Her children fondly recall trips to Olive Lake, where they would load up a truck full of supplies and stay for two weeks at a time. Ava was very active with her children, always ready for a game of baseball.
All the neighborhood kids would come over to play at the Pifher house because Ava was always outside having fun with the kids. Ava was also a fun grandmother and enjoyed playing with her grandchildren.
She enjoyed sewing, making suits and other clothing, and especially quilts for camping. She did not like cooking, however. She made a bargain with her children that if they made the desserts and the side dishes, she would cook the main meals.
Ava was an active member of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral for many years, serving in the Circle 7. She was a member of the Moose Lodge, Royal Neighbors of America, The Baker Elks Lodge and Home Extension. She was a leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts.
Survivors include her children, Carolyn Luster, and her husband, Melvin, of Baker City, Carl Pifher and his wife, Bobbie, of Meridian, Idaho, Josephine Koontz and her husband, Dale, of Baker City, Robert Pifher and his wife, Donna, of Roseburg, Earl Pifher and his wife, Juni, of Burns, and Patricia Hailey and her husband, Merton, of Underwood, N.D; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Pifher; her sister, Ada; and her parents, Earl and Vera.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice, through Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 26, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor