Baker City, Oregon
Claire Curtis Wester, 77, of Baker City died July 24, 2002 at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her funeral was today at 11 a.m. at Coles Funeral Home. Associate Pastor Bob Whiteman of the Baker City Christian Church officiated. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Claire was born July 18, 1925, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Charles D. Woods and Theresa Kelly Woods.
She married Robert L. Curtis on June 16, 1946, and they settled down in Canyon City, where they started their family. In addition to being a devoted mother, wife and homemaker, Claire worked with Bob in their trucking business as bookkeeper until 1969, when they moved to Baker City. Bob Curtis died shortly after the family moved to Baker City.
A devoted mother and homemaker, Claire remained in Baker City, raising her daughters as a single parent. She worked at Basche Sage Hardware and Ellingson Lumber Company.
On June 25, 1977, Claire married Billy Wester. She and Bill enjoyed many years of traveling around the United States, trips with cherished friends and spending the winter months in Arizona.
Claire loved music, dancing, swimming, the outdoors, flowers, fine food, golfing and especially spending time with her family and friends. Those who truly know her will remember that twinkle in her eye and her wonderful smile. She had many talents including oil painting, crocheting and sewing. Claire was a member of the Baker City Ladies Golf Association and was an accomplished golfer whose highlights included three holes in one. She loved the Elkhorn Mountains and no matter where she was residing she had a picture of the mountains to remind her of home.
She is survived by her daughters, Theresa Curtis of Baker City, Kathleen Yencopal and her husband, Jerry, of Baker City, Cindy Jesseph and husband, Jim, of Riverton, Wyo., Carly Curtis and her partner, Elaine Testa of Portland; her grandchildren, Nathan Murphy and his wife, Brenda, Jennifer Murphy, Jason Yencopal, Rob Yencopal, Nicole Baker and Aaron Baker; and her great-grandchildren, Cole Murphy, Taylor Murphy, and Makayla Murphy. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Woods of Laguna, Calif.
Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Wester, who died in October 2001; her parents; and her sisters, Katherine, Margaret and Rosemary.
The family requests that those who wish may contribute to a memoriam in Claire’s name to the Baker City Ladies Golf Association. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 2, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor