Elsa “Elsie” Opal Vandecar, 99, a resident of Durkee, Oregon and native of Baker County died Tuesday, January 16, 1996 at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 20, 1996 at 12:00 pm at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel with Pastor Gene Zacharias of Haines First Baptist Church officiating.
Vault interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Baker City, Oregon
Elsie was born June 6, 1896 to John and Daisy Long at Haines, Oregon in the Willow Creek area. Her birth was on a farm belonging to her pioneer grandparents, Andrew and Hannah Tony. Her other pioneer grandparents were Julia Ann and Alonzo Long. She attended Muddy Creek and Haines schools and was a graduate of Baker High School in 1915.
In 1918 she and her husband, Robert, moved to the Durkee area, in Baker County, where they continued to live until her death.
She was a Charter member of the Durkee Grange serving many years as secretary and as an active member, including Baker County Mother of the Year in 1987. Her dedication and help to others will long be remembered.
She was a staunch supporter of education having taught in Baker, Haines and Durkee districts. She served on the Durkee School Board for many years. She served 14 years on the Baker County Library Board and gave encouraging support to the new library. In addition, she was a member of the Durkee Election Board for over twenty years.
Her interest in books and travel resulted in trips to the South Pacific, Holy Land, Egypt and Switzerland. During the American Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, she and her daughter Mary and her husband were among nine delegates from Baker county chosen to demonstrate folk art and ranching skills of the west. The demonstration set up on the Washington D.C. Mall included hay stacking and s sample of the “Durkee Steak Feed” skills. Many honors were given during her lifetime.
She is survived by two sons Joseph Hindman and Sharon, of Pullman, Washington, and son Edwin Hindman and Margit of Durkee, Oregon and by thirteen grandchildren, numerous great and great great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Vandecar, Sr. in 1973; son Robert L. Vandecar, Jr. in 1968; daughter Priscilla Vandecar Jenkins in 1973 and daughter Mary Vandecar Forsea in 1986.
Friends were invited to join the family for a reception from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall.
Contributions may be made to Baker Elks Scholarship fund or to the charity of your choice care of Gray’s West & Co.
The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, January, 1996
Contributed by: Belva Ticknor