Florence Gladys Van Gaasbeck 81, a longtime Arlington resident, died Jan. 17, 2002, at a foster care home in Baker City.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Arlington Cemetery. Visitations will be until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mrs. Van Gaasbeck was born on June 28, 1920, at Rufus to Glen and Jean Mathieson Thompson. She received her education at the Rufus Public School.
She married Clark Van Gaasbeck on March 27, 1939, at Goldendale, Wash. She was very active in music and was in several bands playing both the piano and the saxophone.
Florence was very active in the Eastern Star and in the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed painting, and doing various arts and crafts. Florence and Clark enjoyed camping and fishing, especially with their children and grandchildren. They were wheat ranchers for many years until leasing the ranch out in the 1960s.
Survivors include her brother, Jim Thompson of Gillette, Wyo.; a daughter, Betty Carr of Portland; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Judy Van Gaasbeck of Baker City; grandchildren, Melinda Plaschka and Chaundra Carr of Portland, Tina Carpenter of Boise, and Brad Van Gaasbeck and Andy Van Gaasbeck of Baker City; great-grandchildren, Rachel Carr, Brandy and Christine Plaschka, Stacy and Daric Carpenter, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Emily Van Gaasbeck; and Christian and Lauren Van Gaasbeck; and great-stepgranddaughter, Reyna Vaughn.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or the Alzheimer’s Foundation through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 25, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor