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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 2018)
24 Wednesday, August 8, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Obituaries Naomi Belle Smith Diane Elizabeth Rodgers December 14, 1919 — July 23, 2018 August 15, 1940 — July 26, 2018 Naomi Belle Smith passed away July 23, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. She was 98 years old. Her children were with her as she passed on to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Naomi was born December 14, 1919 in Drewsey, Oregon. Her parents were George C. Carroll and Marie Caroline (Sosinsky). She had five siblings: brothers George William (Billy), Blaine, and Orville Carroll; sister Kathleen Williams, and a baby sister who died at birth. All are now deceased. Naomi attended first and second grades in Bend. Afterwards, the family moved to Burns for three years while her dad worked as a car mechanic. Follow- ing Burns, they moved to Stockton, California during the depression to run a res- taurant. When it failed, they moved to Sisters in 1933. Naomi attended grades eight through 12 in Sisters, finish- ing as the Valedictorian. Naomi married William Ray Smith in 1939 in Imperial, CA. Their first son, Michael Ray, was born there. After an earthquake, they moved back to Sisters where daughters Sunny, Laurie, and Jan and sons Cecil and Jeffrey were born. During World War II, while Naomi’s husband was gone serving his country, she lived with her parents and worked hard to support her family. After his return she supported her children’s activities in school, took in people to live with them, and helped widows in Sisters with appointments, errands, and chores. Later in life, she took care of her dad and brother. She enjoyed being outside, read- ing the newspaper, drinking coffee, yard work, and being surrounded by friends and family. After falling and breaking her hip in 2015, she moved into Bend with her daugh- ter Jan and son-in-law Gene Kroeker, where she was a great blessing to everyone. Her life was dedicated to her Lord Jesus, family, and caring for many people in Sisters, writing letters, sending money to help with needs, and always praying for everyone in need. She is survived by her children Michael, Sunny, Laurie, Jan, and Jeff along with many grand-children, great-grand- children and great-great- grand-children. She will be missed. Diane was born to Albert and Hortense Larson in Venice, California. She attended and graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach, California, in 1957. She married the love of her life, Gary Rodgers, on May 8, 1959. They started their family in Garden Grove, California and then moved to Dana Point, California in 1968. After vacationing in Central Oregon, they decided to move to Sisters in 1972 with their five children, Mark, Phillip, Stephen, Susan and Joseph, to develop and oper- ate the Sisters KOA camp- ground. After running the campground for four years, they sold the business. In 1977, Diane and two of her longtime friends bought and ran the Depot Deli in Sisters for 10 years. After selling the deli in 1987, Diane went to work with Gary helping to run his construction company. Diane and Gary both retired in 2006 and went on to travel the world and the U.S. Anyone who knew Diane can tell you how much she cherished her family and friends. She lived her life to the fullest and met all her challenges with grace and dignity. Whether she was hiking, running Hood to Coast with her “Blistered Sisters,” mountain-biking, Organic, natural products Personal approach for every lawn Year-round FIREWOOD SALES — Kindling — — — SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS 22 years in business • LCB#9583 541-410-4509 SistersForestProducts.com 541-549-2882 Summer cleanups Mowing & pruning Irrigation repair & start-ups People- & Pet-Friendly Lawn Maintenance Services camping, gardening, quilt- ing, reading or entertaining she did it with a true zest for life. She was greatly admired by her family and friends, so no one was surprised when she water-skied on one ski on her 70th birthday. She never shied away from challenges and taught her children to work hard and embrace their lives. Diane approached every- thing with a “can-do” atti- tude! She volunteered as an EMT, read with elementary students in the SMART Program, helped battered women as a Saving Grace Volunteer and helped author a cookbook to benefit the Sisters Food Bank. Serving others was important to Diane. She and Gary loved entertain- ing and making people feel welcome in their home. They were active members of two dinner groups and proudly included friends throughout Sisters Country. Diane passed away on July 26, 2018. She had been chal- lenged by the effects of a stroke suffered in 2014, but throughout it all she read, attended her book club, went to lunch with friends and celebrated weddings, births, and holidays with those who loved and admired her so much. She was an amazing wife, mother, and friend and will be forever missed by those who loved her. Diane is survived by her husband Gary; sons Mark Rodgers (wife Kathy), Steve Rodgers (wife Robin), Joe Rodgers (wife Sheri); daughter Susie Rodgers; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by son Phil Rodgers. Contributions in Diane’s memory may be made to the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, www.sisterskiwanis.org/ food-bank. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 25 at 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. DINING & TAKE-OUT until midnight every night Menu at SistersSaloon.net 541-549-RIBS 190 E. Cascade Ave. Tennis Anyone ? or Soccer... or Swimming... or basketball... or ... HEY COACHES! Do you offer private or group lessons? Advertise in the Nugget’s CLASSES & TRAINING classifi eds! $2 per line the fi rst week, $1.50 per line on repeat weeks. Plus, your ad goes online at no extra charge! Deadline is Monday before noon at 541-549-9941 or nuggetnews.com We’re in Sisters! Stop by our offi ce and meet our staff, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 473 E. Hood Ave., Ste. 201 (above La Magie Bakery). www.worldschildren.org This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper
