Alice Antoinette Warnock, 94, died Aug. 16, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Hospital after a brief illness.
Private burial was at the Sumpter Cemetery.
There will be a memorial celebration of her life at 3 p.m. Sunday at the McEwen Community Church in Sumpter Valley. Pastor Bill Cox will officiate. There will be a beef barbecue at the church for family and friends after the service.
Alice was born June 17, 1908, to Herbert and Theresa Nystrom Brown at Portland. She was raised on farms at Woodburn and Mohawk, and graduated from Eugene High School in 1924 at the age of 16.
After earning a teacher’s certificate from Oregon Normal School at Monmouth, she taught in a two-room school at Donna, a small community northeast of Springfield. Two of her pupils aroused her interest in their uncle, who could stand on his head horseback. This introduction led to her marriage to Dan Warnock on June 30, 1929, which lasted 73 years.
Working together in the Willamette Valley through the Depression and World War II, Dan and Alice were able to start a cattle ranch in Sumpter Valley in 1946 where they lived for 56 years.
After raising two sons, Dan and Ed, Alice continued her education and graduated from Eastern Oregon University at age 77. She continued classes in writing and had many short stories and poems published in the “Attic” and other publications.
Never one to hesitate about an interest, she marched straight ahead into many interesting pursuits. Watercolor painting become one of her passions and she met weekly with the “Paintabouts” for many years.
Alice was instrumental in the preservation efforts of the old Natatorium building, which was developed into the Oregon Trail Regional Museum. She served on the museum board for many years.
She was a longtime member of Eastern Star and the First Presbyterian Church. She worked with Dan leading 4-H clubs for several years, and enjoyed volunteering as a “Grey Lady” visiting hospital patients and helping with their needs. Alice was thrilled with the honor of being selected the Baker County Chamber of Commerce Legacy Woman of the Year in 1995.
Alice was blessed with the ability to notice and appreciate unique beauty in everyday things. Her gracious understanding and acknowledgment of people’s unique gifts made her a wonderful friend.
She had a child-like wonder and endless curiosity that endeared her to people. There was never enough time to accommodate the amazing energy she had for people and her passions.
She was an elegant lady with a great sense of fun. Those who knew Alice will understand the family quip regarding her: “Always late, but well worth the wait.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sue Brown Iman; and a 3-year old brother, Thomas.
Survivors include her husband, Dan Warnock; son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Jo Warnock; and son, Edward Warnock; grandchildren, Dan Warnock, Randy Warnock, Terri Warnock, Jan Klarquist, Cindy Warnock, and Robin Ostby; and great-grandchildren, Tanner and Tyler Ostby, Cassi, Abby and Jerod Warnock and Aaron, Ford, Gabe and Clark Knowlton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Trail Regional Museum Endowment through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 23, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor