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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2020)
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020 O BITUARIES C OMMUNITY Meetings Alvin ‘Al’ L. Hixson • LA GRANDE — The Union County Retired Educators will meet Tuesday, March 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Denny’s. The program will be “Music for Spring,” pre- sented by Doyle Slater. • ISLAND CITY — The La Grande Rural Fire Protection Board will meet Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m at the Fire Hall, 10200 S. McAlister Road, Island City. The fi re protection district board oversees the operation of the La Grande Rural Fire Department. • LA GRANDE — The La Grande Parks & Recreation Department commissions will meet next week. Each meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation offi ce inside Pioneer Park. The Community Landscape & Forestry Commission will meet Tuesday, March 10. The Arts Commission’s meeting is Wednesday, March 11. Vol- unteers are needed for this commission. On Thursday, March 12, the Parks & Recre- ation Advisory Commission convenes. For questions about the agenda or to volun- teer contact Stu Spence, director, at 541-962-1348. Briefs Class on pesticides offered to local gardeners ISLAND CITY — The Oregon State University Master Gardener classes are open to the community for $5 per class. OSU agronomist Darrin Walenta will teach “Understanding Pesticides” Tuesday, March 10. Classes run from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. in the conference room at the OSU Extension, Union County offi ce, 10507 N. McAlister Road, Island City. For more information and to RSVP for classes, call the OSU Union County Extension offi ce at 541-963- 1010. Talent show and soup supper raises funds for Imbler FBLA trip IMBLER — The Imbler FBLA talent show and soup supper will open at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in the Imbler Elementary School’s gym. Admission is free. Dinner is $5 per person, or $20 for a family of four or more people. There also will be silent and live auctions before the talent show. Proceeds will help pay for the FBLA members to attend the State Business Leadership Conference this spring. La Grande 1946-2020 Alvin “Al” Lester Hixson, 73, of La Grande, died Feb. 29 at a local care facility. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. March 7 at Loveland Fu- neral Chapel. Alvin was born Nov. 4, 1946, in La Grande, to James and Opal (Ortloff) Hixson. He resided in Durkee, Union, Adrian and La Grande. He attended grade school in Durkee and graduated from Union High School. Alvin served in the U.S. Army. His marriage to Vera Elliott ended in divorce. He later married Patricia Witherrite. Alvin was employed with the Union Pacifi c Railroad, CPN and Oregon Trail Electric. He enjoyed running marathons and participated in the Hood to Coast. Alvin also enjoyed fi shing, camping, hunting and riding motorcycles and four-wheelers. He was a member of the NRA, American Legion, Eagles and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Surviving relatives include his wife, Patricia; children and spouses, Susan and John Hobbs of Albany, Kim Hixson of Richland, Washington, and Thomas and Kristen Hixson of Oregon City; stepchildren and spouses, Amanda and Chris Case of La Grande and Tausha Murray and Nick DeLaquil of Meridian, Idaho; sisters, Martha Phillips and hus- band, Dale, of Union, and Linda Hixson of Weather- ford, Texas; brother, David Hixson and wife, Mabel, of Killdeer, North Dakota; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Opal; brother, James Hixson; and sisters, Ada Hamilton and Eileen Okuda. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkin- son’s Research, 8880 SW Nimbus Ave., Suite B, Beaverton 97008. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralcha- pel.com. Douglas A. Ward La Grande 1951-2020 UNION COUNTY SENIOR CENTER 1504 N. ALBANY ST., LA GRANDE LUNCH MENU MARCH 9-13 Served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. age 60+ $3 suggested donation, others $6 Monday: fi sh and chips, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh fruit (alternate meal: chef salad). Tuesday: creamy mac & cheese (with or without ham), fruit, freshly baked bread, salad greens, cookie. Wednesday: fried chicken, steamed caulifl ower, mashed potatoes and country gravy, Jell-O, rolls, cake. Thursday: Cobb salad loaded with chicken, bacon, cheese, baby corn, avocado and bleu cheese, soup, rolls. Friday:baked potato bar with all the trimmings. Douglas “Doug” Alan Ward, 68, of La Grande, died Feb. 22 at his resi- dence after a hard battle with cancer. A celebration of his life will be held later this spring. Douglas was born May 10, 1951, in La Grande, to Ralph and Muriel (Houle) Ward. He resided in Northeast Oregon most of his life but lived in Seattle while attending high school. He graduated from Queen Anne High School and attended what is now Eastern Oregon University. Douglas served in the U.S. Navy. On Sept. 5, 1987, he married Kathryn Jordan. Douglas worked as a green chain puller while employed at a local lumber mill. His greatest treasure was his wife and family. “Pakka” Doug thoroughly enjoyed any activity spent with his children and grandchildren. Douglas always had a smile for everyone and loved to tell stories and jokes. A very caring man, he loved to spoil his family and animals with plenty of extra treats and was always willing to share and help others. Douglas was an avid San Fransisco 49ers fan. He was especially proud of celebrating more than 40 years of sobriety. Surviving relatives in- clude his wife of more than 30 years, Kathryn; daugh- ters, Kimmie Austin of Elgin, Pamela Mackie and husband, Greg Cannon, of Boise, Idaho, and Kain Ward of La Grande; son-in- law, Ken Austin of Elgin; brother, Russell Ward of Pendleton; four grandchil- dren; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Muriel Ward; sons, Mitchell and Kenny Banaka; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. In lieu of fl owers, memo- rial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society Oregon Chapter, 330 S.W Curry St., Portland 97.239 or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralcha- pel.com. Marlene M. (Knight) Town Formerly of Northeast Oregon 1949-2020 Marlene Mae Town, 70, of Watford City, North Dakota, and formerly of Troy, Elgin and Weston, died March 1 at Sanford Medical Center in Bis- marck, North Dakota. As she requested, she was cremated and will be bur- ied in Boardman. Marlene was born Oct. 27, 1949, in Clarkston, Washington, to Elmer F. and Alma M. (Loomis) Knight. She grew up in Troy, where she attended school through the eighth grade. Her family moved to Orofi no, Idaho, where she attended high school. Marlene married Mitch- ell “Mike” Town on June 30, 1967, in Orofi no, and together they had three children. They spent most of their young married years traveling around to different logging camps in multiple states before set- tling in 1976 in Boardman, where they remained for many years. One of Marlene’s proud- est moments was earning her diploma in 1975 by taking night classes. Mar- lene and Mike divorced in 1981 but continued to raise their children in the Board- man area until 1988, when Marlene moved to Elgin and soon after to Weston to help care for her parents. Marlene spent almost her entire life driving a forklift in different ware- house settings, fi nally spending the last 28 years employed at Smith Frozen Foods in Weston. In Sep- tember 2018, when she became sick, she moved to Watford City, North Dakota, to live with her daughter Katie and son-in- law Willy. Marlene fought many health battles and ultimately lost her battle with both pancreatic can- cer and congenital heart failure. Marlene was a very kind and loving person. She lived for her family and would never hesitate to be there when they needed anything. She sat through countless base- ball, football, basketball and softball games along with school concerts and graduations. She loved her work family as well and spoke of them often with high regard. Surviving relatives include her brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Christina Knight; sister-in- law, Helen Knight; children and their spouses, Mitchell “Mickey” and Gina Town of Boardman, Angela and Mark Wells of La Grande, and Katherine “Katie” and William “Willy” Sargent of Watford City, North Dakota; and 11 grandchil- dren and 11 great-grand- children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Alma Knight; brother, Danny Knight; and the father of her chil- dren, Mike Town. Sandra ‘Sandi’ L. (Klein) Benson La Grande 1947-2020 Sandra “Sandi” Lee Ben- son, 72, of La Grande, died March 2 at her residence. A celebration of her life and potluck will be held June 4 at 11 a.m. at Riverside Park. Known as Sandi, she was born Nov. 13, 1947, in La PACIFIC NORTHWEST ALASKA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, IDAHO, MONTANA 5($&+PLOOLRQ3DFLÀF1RUWKZHVWHUQHUVZLWKMXVW2QH&DOO PNDC CLASSIFIED - Daily Newspapers 29 newspapers - 1,187,980 circulation Number of words: 25 z Extra word cost: $10 Cost: $540 (Runs 3 consecutive days including wkds.) PNDN 2x2 DISPLAY - Daily Newspapers 27 newspapers - 1,016,864 circulation Size: 2x2 (3.25”x2”) Cost: 1x 2x2: $1,050 More info: Cecelia@cnpa.com or call (916) 288-6011 FAMILY OWNED 215 Elm Street La Grande (541) 963-5440 10106 N. ‘C’ • Island City Grande, to James and Velda (Carbine) Klein. She resided in Spokane, Washington, and La Grande. Sandi graduated from La Grande High School and attended business college in Spokane. Sandi was employed with Safeway in La Grande, Norma’s Burger Barn in Otis Orchards, Washington, and Gung Ho Restaurant in Spokane. She enjoyed making New Year’s baby Christmas stockings for the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary, reading fantasy romance novels and traveling with her friends. Sandi was a regular square dancer and com- peted in bowling leagues. She participated in choir throughout high school and was known to burst out singing her favorite tune at random times. Surviving relatives in- clude her children, Michelle Burke and husband, Travis, of Davenport, Washington, and Jamie Sampson of Ovid, Idaho; mother, Velda Klein of La Grande; brother, Duke Klein and wife, Kate, of Prineville; four grand- children and four great- grandchildren; and three nieces and nephews and fi ve great-nieces and great- nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, James Klein. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneralcha- pel.com. Deborah J. Hogue La Grande Deborah J. Hogue, 58, of La Grande, died March 4 at her residence. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements. Robert Wolfe La Grande Robert Wolfe, 77, of La Grande, died Sept. 20, 2019 at a local care facility. A celebration of his life will be held March 14 from 3-5 p.m. at the La Grande Mavericks clubhouse. Friends are invited to bring photos and share their memories. There will be a taco bar that those who attend may contribute to; contact the family for more information. Don E. Wood Cove Don Elwyn Wood, 91, of Cove, died March 5 at his home. Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory will be handling the arrangements. UPCOMING FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Sponsored by March 9 Delores Weathermon: 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, La Grande. March 14 Patricia Tusten: 2 p.m. funeral, La Grande Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center. Deborah Kaye Rudd, 53 October 30, 1966 - February 22, 2020 Deborah Kaye Rudd passed peacefully on February 22, 2020 after EUDYHO\À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À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ÀFLDWLQJ northwestfurnitureandmattress.com An Independent Insurance Agency Reed & Associates for excellent service LOCALLY! 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