Ellen Belle Waldron, 94, a Halfway native, died Dec. 18, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Ellen developed pneumonia after a fall in her apartment at Settlers Park. She had suffered a stroke in June 1999 that left her unable to walk by herself. She had spent 15 months with her son, then moved to Settlers Park a year ago.
Her funeral was today at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. The Rev. Bill Shields officiated. Interment was at Pine Valley Cemetery.
Ellen was born Sept. 8, 1907, at Halfway to James P. Ritter and Ella Belle Canady. She received all of her schooling in Halfway and spent all of her life helping in the work on a ranch. Her father raised cattle, and she learned at an early age to do all the chores associated with the hard life of a farmer.
She married Clifford Waldron in April of 1926. They bought from Clifford’s father the ranch she lived on until her stroke. She used to raise turkeys and chickens to help pay the mortgage off. She was a dedicated hard worker and especially adept at cooking and baking. In the winter months, when there wasn’t as much work to do outside, Ellen would spend the time crocheting and making beautiful pillow slips.
Ellen was a true homebody. Her only outside functions were the Presbyterian Church, which she and Clifford joined in 1953, and the Carson Club, of which she was an original member.
Her family remembers her as the true and loving mother and wife that she was, and she has left her mark on all of them.
Ellen is survived by her sons, Robert Waldron and his wife, Freda, of Baker City; Bill Waldron and his wife, Veryl, of Halfway; nine grandchildren she loved dearly; 24 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Ritter of Richland; and several nieces and nephews.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Clifford; three brothers, Clair, Harold and Perk Ritter; and a sister, Maude.
Ellen was very excited about the prospect of an assisted living home in Halfway, and wanted to be one of its first residents. Contributions in her memory may be donated to that project in care of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home in Halfway, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 21, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor