COMMUNITY
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020
OBITUARIES
COMMUNITY
Briefs
Art Center East will offer
online classes
LA GRANDE —With the
support of Eastern Oregon
University’s information
technology department,
the Art Center East board
is putting together the fi rst
schedule of online classes.
Teaching artists with creative
ideas for moving the arts
online should email Nancy
Knowles at president@
artcentereast.org, and board
members will assist artists
with envisioning how the
technology might work.
If you would like to con-
tribute to the effort to help
ACE weather the COVID-19
crisis, you may donate to the
center, become a mem-
ber, buy a gift card online
(https://squareup.com/gift/
B0G5FTKXE9J8F/order) for
future classes or shopping,
or make a purchase now
(the Gift Gallery is open by
appointment; go to https://
nknowles.youcanbook.me/).
In the near future, ACE will
have an online store avail-
able for shopping the Gift
Gallery at home.
For more information. go
to www. artcentereast.org or
call 541-624-2800.
THE OBSERVER — 3A
Elen I. (Hartman)
Johnson
La Grande • 1934-2020
Elen Irene Johnson, 85,
of La Grande, died April
7 at La Grande Post-Acute
Rehab. A private family
service is planned for May
2 in La Grande. Burial will
be in Litchfi eld, Nebraska.
Elen was
born June
10, 1934, in
Kiowa, Colo-
rado, to “Tec”
and Thelma
(Bellamy) Hartman. Elen
and her twin sister, Helen,
joined an older brother,
Bill, in the family. She
attended fi rst grade at
Hilltop School and then
several years at Ashgrove
School before the family
moved to Denver, where
Elen graduated from high
school.
At the age of 12, Elen
chose to serve the Lord
and endeavored to live her
life with a love and appre-
ciation for God.
After graduating from
high school, Elen worked
at the Denver Telephone
Company for six years.
On July 28, 1956, she
married Gordon Johnson
at her parents’ home in
Denver. They moved
to Farnam, Nebraska,
and then to Callaway,
Nebraska. These years
were spent farming
and ranching, before
they moved to Greeley,
Colorado.
In 1972, the family
moved to Island City.
Gordon and Elen farmed
for 15 years until they
retired and moved into La
Grande.
Elen enjoyed staying
busy with work and hob-
bies, including sewing,
crocheting, cooking and
many yard and garden
projects. Later in life she
loved to help her children,
grandchildren and others
with anything and every-
thing. She was always
willing to lend a helping
hand.
Surviving relatives
include her children and
their spouses, Lorinda and
Don Blakely of La Grande,
Dana and Sid Snow of
Litchfi eld, Nebraska, Lyle
Johnson of La Grande,
Dale and Robin Johnson of
La Grande, and Jenell and
Mike Howland of Cottage
Elgin Lions make and donate face masks
Upcoming
local
services are
pending due
to efforts to
curb the
spread of the
coronavirus.
Eva W. Bennett
Gage Litt le
La Grande
Elgin
Eva W. Bennett, 95,
of La Grande, died April
26 at a local care facility.
Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel &
Crematory.
Gage Little, 21, of Elgin,
died April 26. Arrange-
ments are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel &
Crematory.
ATV crash leaves 1 dead
LA GRANDE —
Union County Sheriff’s
Offi ce reported a side-
by-side all-terrain vehicle
crash Sunday that resulted
in one death.
The wreck occurred
at about 1:20 p.m. on
Pumpkin Ridge Road,
according to the press
release from the sheriff’s
offi ce, and involved one
driver and passenger in
the vehicle.
The driver, Gage D.
Little, 21, died at the
Beautifi cation Awards
Program now taking
nominations
LA GRANDE — The city
of La Grande Community
Landscape and Forestry
Commission recognizes
efforts to maintain and
improve the beauty of La
Grande’s environment
through outstanding land-
scape maintenance and
design.
Seasonal awards are giv-
en to residential and com-
mercial properties that have
been carefully landscaped
and attract the viewer. These
landscapes must be seen
from public access.
For more information or
to submit a nomination,
email trees@cityofl agrande.
org or call 541-663-1952. The
nomination deadline for the
spring awards is May 25.
Grove; 14 grandchildren,
22 great-grandchildren
and many other foster and
step-grandchildren and
step-great-grandchildren
who called her grandma;
brother, Bill Hartman of
Aurora, Colorado; sister,
Helen Snow of Litchfi eld,
Nebraska; brother-in-law,
Raymond Johnson; and
nieces and nephews.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
scene, the sheriff’s offi ce
reported.
The passenger was
injured and received an
ambulance to Grande
Ronde Hospital, La
Grande.
The sheriff’s offi ce did
not release the identity of
the passenger.
The sheriff’s offi ce also
reported the crash remains
under investigation and
the Union County District
Attorney’s Offi ce is han-
dling inquires.
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
THURSDAY
Submitted by Gerald Hopkins
ELGIN — Members of the Elgin Lions Club have been busy doing their part to slow the
spread of the coronavirus by making face masks to give to the public. President Kathy Oli-
ver has already made more than 75 masks that have been distributed to Elgin businesses,
friends and other Lions members.
BANNERS
Continued from Page 1A
installed the banners Friday
on the poles. The displays
are 2 feet by 4 feet with
color photos of each mem-
bers of the graduating class,
which likely will not have
a traditional graduation
because of the COVID-19
pandemic. Phillips and Rio-
mondo volunteered their
time to put up the ban-
ners, which are each 15 feet
above the ground.
“Hopefully these kids
will be proud of them, that
is all that matters,” Phil-
lips said. “This is all about
the kids. They are the ones
being shortchanged.”
The project was the
Staff photo by Dick Mason
brainchild of several Union Paul Phillips of the Union Public Works Department on Friday installs banners of graduat-
ing Union High School seniors Jacie Kromwall and Brianna Kohr.
High School parents who
read on Facebook about
a wonderful way to salute
another school outside the
said Johansen, whose
to have them representing
a class that is exceptionally
region putting up banners,
daughter, Brianna Kohr, is
us when times are tough,”
tight-knit.
said Kari Coon. She and
a member of the UHS class
Kohr said.
“It is very close,” Clark
other parents sprang into
of 2020.
Hunter Coon said he
said.
action.
Johansen said she would has been impressed with
“When we saw that, we
She added the class is
like the banners to become
the response of Union res-
thought, ‘We have to make
backed by parents who are
part of a senior class tradi-
idents, noting that many
this happen,’” Coon said.
“super supportive.”
tion in the future.
people have been stopping
The parents found a
Clark also said the ban-
Kohr said her class of
and taking photos of them.
Pendleton company, Cre-
ners give everyone a chance 2020 is fortunate to have
“It is a great way to get
ative Signs, Screen Printing to honor UHS’s seniors,
such strong support from its the community involved
and Embroidery, to pro-
including those who would
parents.
(with the high school),” he
duce the banners. The par-
not have attended the
“We are very thankful
said.
ents then sent a message to
school’s commencement.
Union High’s seniors asking
Rhondie Johansen,
them to email their senior
a fi rst-grade teacher at
VOTE
portraits for the project.
Union Elementary, said
Coon said they had no
she likes the way the ban-
trouble getting the seniors
ners brighten Main Street
to send in the photos.
and added they reveal how
Producing and installing much the people of Union
each banner cost $100,
care about their school
including the brackets,
district.
OTEC
which the city of Union
“We are blessed to have
Board of Directors
sprung for. The city will use a community that is very
Position 3
the devices for other dis-
supportive of our school,”
Harney County
plays after the student ban-
ners come down in about
Raised in Grant County and a Harney County
two months, Phillips said.
Resident for 37+ years, my entire working career has
Money for the produc-
tion of the banners came
been in customer service (US Bank, small business
from Union High’s senior
owner, and ODFW). I hope to continue that service
fund. Members of the class
for the member-owners of Oregon Trail Electric. Now
of 2020 have been raising
www.lagrandeautorepair.com
retired, I have the time and energy to work with the
money for the fund since
OTEC Board and offer a fresh perspective to continue
MOST
the students were in seventh
to provide reasonable, reliable power for you.
ADVANCED
grade.
TECHNOLOGY
Mendy Clark, the Union
AVAILABLE
School District’s deputy
ACDelcoTSS
clerk, said the banners are
Joe Horst
11:21 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 2200
block of Gekeler Lane on a
report of a juvenile causing a
disturbance. Police left after
giving a citation for minor in
possession of marijuana.
11:27 a.m. — La Grande
police received a report of
an attempted break-in at
Forestry Sciences Laborato-
ry, 1401 Gekeler Lane. Police
agreed to provide extra
patrols.
5:07 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce re-
sponded to a report of van-
dalism on the 10400 block of
Walton Road, Island City.
FRIDAY
2:32 a.m. — A caller com-
plained about a loud party
on the 1500 block of Adele
Terrace, Elgin. A Union County
sheriff’s deputy responded
and resolved the complaint.
10:22 a.m. — Union County
Sheriff’s Offi ce arrested David
Michael Denham, 27, of La
Grande, for fi rst-degree theft,
third-degree burglary, criminal
conspiracy and trespassing.
11:02 a.m. — A caller re-
ported animal neglect on the
300 block of West Arch Street,
Union.
11:16 a.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce arrest-
ed Nathan Russell Osterloh,
34, an inmate in the Union
County Jail, La Grande, on
a warrant for fi rst- and sec-
ond-degree burglary, fi rst-de-
gree theft, criminal conspiracy
and trespassing.
5:50 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 1300
block of N Avenue on a report
of criminal mistreatment.
8:21 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce re-
sponded to the 10800 block of
Walton Road, Island City, on
a report of a fi ght. Deputies
resolved the situation.
SATURDAY
4:19 a.m. — La Grande
police received a noise
complaint on the 1800 block
of 26th Street. An offi cer
responded and talked to the
people involved.
5:24 p.m. — La Grande
police and fi re responded to
the Moon Motel, 2116 Adams
Ave., for a fi re in a garage.
Other agencies also respond-
ed. Crews contained the fi re to
the garage and there were no
injuries.
SUNDAY
Oregon State Police arrest-
ed Michael Duane Lee, 32, of
Union, for driving under the
infl uence of intoxicants, hit-
and-run involving a person,
third-degree assault and
violating probation.
8:22 a.m. — La Grande
police received a report of
a burglary on the 300 block
of Fourth Street. An offi cer
responded and took a report.
3:24 p.m. — Local law
enforcement received a report
of someone tampering with
an ankle alarm.
3:47 p.m. — The Union
County Sheriff’s Offi ce re-
ceived a report of a burglary
on the 300 block of G Street,
North Powder.
4:55 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 2200
block of Greenwood Street
and took a report for vandal-
ism.
PROTECTING our
Residents during this
Pandemic
Starting the
funnest phase
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La GRANDE
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1809 Gekeler Ln.
La Grande
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