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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2021)
RECORDS AND MORE Saturday, March 13, 2021 Community Meetings IMBLER — The Imbler School District Board of Directors meets for a regular session Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at the high school. The public is welcome. Briefs Virtual singer- songwriter showcase streamed tonight ENTERPRISE — The next Tunesmith Night, courtesy of Enterprise’s Wallowa Valley Music Alliance, will be lives- treamed Saturday, March 13, at 7 p.m. featuring Tracy Spring, Havilah Rand and Karyn Ann. The showcase of original music will be live to YouTube, social media and the Music Alliance website, www.wvmusicalliance.org. The performance also will be recorded and available to watch online later. Viewers may show their support for the program via online donations. For more on the songwriters, visit the Music Alliance website. St. Patrick’s Day dinner offered curbside LA GRANDE — In addition to its regular takeout lunch, the Union County Senior Center is offering a special St. Patrick’s Day dinner Wednesday, March 17. The corned beef and cabbage meal can be picked up curb- side 4-5 p.m. at the senior center, at Albany Street and Cove Avenue, La Grande. Births GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL BASHON: To Karisa Lynn Jones and Christopher Wade Bashon, of Union, a son, Kodie Lee Bashon, Feb. 20. BOWERS: To Emma Bowers, of La Grande, a son, Zayden Eugene Bowers, Feb. 17. Grandparents are Heidi and Barry Bowers. GEORGE: To Kaci Rae George and Brandon Garrett George, of Union, a son, Bra- den Garrett George, Feb. 9. McKEE: To Kristy McKee, of La Grande, a son, Cooper J. McKee, March 4. WILSON: To Destiny Dawn Greene and John Allen Wilson, of La Grande, a son, Spencer Douglas Wilson, Feb. 20. Lottery Megabucks: $2.9 million 4-8-30-38-40-41 Powerball: $155 million 17-18-37-44-53 — PB 18 x3 Mega Millions: $68 million 4-33-46-58-65 — MB 13 x2 Win for Life: March 10 13-37-62-66 Pick 4: March 11 • 1 p.m.: 8-9-8-2 • 4 p.m.: 3-5-1-8 • 7 p.m.: 6-1-1-9 • 10 p.m.: 8-6-0-7 Pick 4: March 10 • 1 p.m.: 9-1-4-8 • 4 p.m.: 7-5-3-4 • 7 p.m.: 9-1-7-2 • 10 p.m.: 7-0-4-7 Jeffrey D. Rysdam 1977-2021 • La Grande Jeffrey Delbert Rysdam, 43, of La Grande, died March 9. A graveside ser- vice will be held at 2 p.m. March 16 at Highland Cem- etery on Cricket Flat. Masks are required. Known as Jeff, he was born Oct. 1, 1977, in La Grande, to Del- bert “Deb” Rysdam and Kathy Rysdam. He was raised and educated in Elgin. After graduating from Elgin High School in 1996, Jeff worked as an electrician for Northwood Manufacturing for five years before relocating to Wilsonville to work for NEI Construction. Jeff earned an asso- ciate degree from Clack- amas Community Col- lege then returned to La Grande to pursue a bache- lor’s degree in anthropology and sociology from Eastern Oregon University. He earned his degree in 2013, followed by a master of arts in teaching in 2015, and began his career as a high school teacher. In 2016, Jeff returned to his alma mater as the high school social studies teacher. In 2017, he became the head football coach after serving several years as an assistant coach. In 2018, he added athletic director to his title and was named Educator of the Year by the Elgin Chamber of Commerce. Jeff loved coaching and was passionate about building character in his students and players. He was instrumental in orga- nizing the EOU 8-Man Football Camp in Elgin and loved taking his players to collegiate football games. He led the Huskies to the state playoffs in 2018 and 2019. Jeff was an outdoorsman and spent much of his free time on Cricket Flat outside of Elgin, hunting, picking huckleberries and fixing fences on his family’s prop- erty. He was also a life- long fan of the Raiders and was able to travel to several games to experience the “Black Hole” with his uncle Bobby. In 2011, Jeff met his life partner and best friend, Debra Frewing Bell. In 2019, the couple climbed Machu Pichu in Peru, an Obituaries accomplishment that had a profound impact on Jeff and was one of his proudest achievements. Jeff’s big heart and sense of humor will be missed by family and friends. Survivors include his partner, Debra, and her children, Haylee and Austyn Bell of La Grande; mother, Kathy Rysdam of Elgin; sister and broth- er-in-law, Amy and Ben, and niece and nephew, Avery and Cody Calabretta, all of Moscow, Idaho; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Delbert “Deb” Rysdam, and grand- parents, Bob and Helen Sue Miller and Delbert and Betty Rysdam. In lieu of flowers, memo- rial contributions may be made to the Elgin High School Athletic Complex, P.O. Box 68, Elgin 97827, to help resurface the high school football field, a project that Jeff was pas- sionate about completing. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Ted B. Harris 1930-2021 • La Grande Ted B. Harris, 90, of La Grande, died Jan. 8. At his request there will not be a service. Ted was born June 25, 1930. He was a fourth-gen- eration Texan whose fore- bears on his mother’s side came to Texas by covered wagon imme- diately after the Civil War. His grandfather was the driller on the second well drilled in the Burkburnett oil boom, and his father was a pioneer oil worker in that boom. Ted graduated from Burkburnett High School in 1948 and was studying architecture at Texas Tech when the Korean War started. At that time he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years. In 1955, Ted married Dorothy Crane. They had three daughters — Jacque, Lisa and Jennifer — and two sons, Wade Harris and Travis Harris. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. Ted married Shirley Anne Menus Union County Senior Center takeout lunch menu Pick up 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande. For delivery, call 541-963-7532 before 10 a.m. Age 60+, $3 suggest- ed donation; all others, $5. Public is welcome. Inquire about family meals and prepackaged sides. MARCH 15-19 MONDAY: sweet and sour meatballs, rice pilaf, salad greens, fresh fruit, pie. TUESDAY: fish and chips, baked beans, coleslaw, fruit. WEDNESDAY: shepherd’s pie with brown gravy, spinach salad, rolls, dessert; ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPECIAL, curbside pick-up 4-5 p.m.: corned beef and cabbage. THURSDAY: chicken tenders, seasoned potato wedges, apple slaw, cobbler. FRIDAY: hot ham sand- wich, tomato-basil soup, fruit garnish, cookie. Children’s free takeout breakfast and lunch menu Free breakfast and lunch for anyone age 18 and younger. Pick up 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central, Green- wood or Island City elemen- tary schools, La Grande. Fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit and 1% milk are offered daily in addition to the menu items. Meals are served at La Grande schools for on-cam- pus students. MARCH 15-19 Central and Island City elementary schools Monday: BREAKFAST: mini pancakes, canned fruit; LUNCH: chicken quesadilla, refried beans. Tuesday: BREAKFAST: oat- meal-chocolate-chip, cheese stick, orange juice; LUNCH: hamburgers, green beans. TUESDAY, MARCH 9 1:21 a.m. — Oregon State Police cited Jennifer Louise Davis, 41, on a Union County warrant for sec- ond-degree burglary and criminal mischief. 4:23 a.m. — La Grande police responded to Fourth Street and Adams Avenue for a person standing in the middle of the inter- section. Police advised the person to move along, and he did. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 5:32 a.m. — A caller reported a break-in to a shed on the 1400 block of Balm Street, La Grande. An officer made contact and will follow up. 8:52 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1500 block of Fifth Street and assisted with a person experiencing mental illness. 1:22 p.m. — Union County sher- iff’s deputies responded to the 90 block of South Eighth Avenue, Wednesday: BREAKFAST: plain bagel with cream cheese, fresh fruit; LUNCH: BBQ pulled- pork sandwich, red peppers. Thursday: BREAKFAST: cinnamon roll, orange juice; LUNCH: Italian meatball sub, broccoli florets. Friday: BREAKFAST: straw- berry yogurt, graham crackers, fresh fruit; LUNCH: popcorn chicken bowl, breadstick, corn. Greenwood Elementary School Monday: BREAKFAST: straw- berry-cream-cheese-filled bagel, fruit or juice; LUNCH: chicken Caesar wrap, green beans. Tuesday: BREAKFAST: oat- meal-chocolate-chip bar, fruit or juice; LUNCH: sloppy joe on a bun, green beans. Wednesday: BREAKFAST: cocoa-cereal bar, fruit or juice; LUNCH: popcorn chicken bowl, roll, corn. Thursday: BREAKFAST: cinnamon roll, fruit or juice; Poe in Merced, California, in 1982. After his time in the Navy, Ted began working at Sheppard Air Force Base as an illustrator. In 1983, he transferred to the Head- quarters of the American Forces in Europe in Stutt- gart, Germany, where he supervised the graphics department and worked directly under the ranking general in Europe and the NATO commander. In 1989 Ted retired from Federal Service after 32 years and moved to La Grande. Ted rededicated his life to Jesus Christ in 1990. He was a senior member in the New Song Commu- nity Church in La Grande and served several years as a Gideon before having to retire due to his health. Surviving relatives include his wife of 39 years, Shirley Anne Poe Harris; daughters, Lisa Price and Jennifer Harris, both of Burkburnett; sons, Wade Harris and Travis Harris, both of Burkburnett; three grandchildren and two great-grandsons; step- daughter, Lujuana Roberts; stepson, Timothy Roberts and his wife, Betsy; and 12 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jacque Holdaway of Choctaw, Oklahoma; mother, Ruby C. Harris; father, Andrew Harris; sister, Wanda June Clinton; and brother, James C. Harris. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Elma Sherwood La Grande Elma Sherwood, 98, of La Grande, died March 12 at her home. Arrangements are by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life, Cremation Life Celebration Center, La Grande. Gerald ‘Jerry’ A. Brookshire Formerly of Union and La Grande Gerald “Jerry” Arthur Brookshire, 53, of Boise, Idaho, and formerly of Union and La Grande, died March 9. Arrangements are by Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City, Idaho. Melvin Davis Enterprise Melvin Davis, 95, of Enterprise, died March 9 Upcoming local services side service, Highland Cemetery, Elgin. March 19 — RAY- MOND JOHNSON: 11 a.m. graveside ser- vice, Summerville Ceme- tery; view the livestream at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. March 20 — CHARITY HENRY: 11 a.m. memorial ser- vice, La Grande Church of Christ. April 24 — BECKY ROBERSON: 2 p.m. celebration of life, Elgin Community Center. — calendar cour- tesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande Please follow guide- lines regarding face cov- erings and social dis- tancing at all services and gatherings. March 13 — MELVIN DAVIS: 11 a.m. funeral, Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise. March 13 — LORI GREENWAY: 3 p.m. memorial service, Enter- prise First Baptist Church. March 16 — JEFF RYSDAM: 2 p.m. grave- at his home. A funeral will be held March 13 at 11 a.m. at Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise, with private interment at the Enterprise Cemetery. Raymond M. Johnson 1931-2021 • La Grande Raymond Marshall Johnson, 89, of La Grande, died March 1 at a local care facility. A graveside ser- vice will be held March 19 at 11 a.m. at the Summer- ville Cemetery. Attendees must wear a mask and prac- tice social dis- tancing to meet COVID-19 guidelines. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. Go to www. lovelandfuneralchapel.com and click on the “Funeral Videos” button near the bottom of the home page just before 11 a.m. Raymond was born April 21, 1931, in Farnam, Nebraska, to Marion and Rhoda Johnson. He resided in Farnam, Nebraska, and in Prineville, Island City, Wallowa, Imbler and La Grande. He attended school through the eighth grade in Farnam. Raymond served in the U.S. Army from 1952- 1953 and received service medals, including Korean Service Medals, United Nations Service Medal, Nationals Defense Ser- vice Medal and a Medical Badge. On Sept. 3, 1954, he married Agnes Mae Melgard in Stockville, Nebraska. Their marriage lasted until Agnes passed away on July 14, 2008. Raymond grew up on the farm and farmed and ranched most of his adult life. In the latter years he was employed with Hen- derson Logging Fuel Co. He was an avid hunter and lived for elk hunting in the Minam. He loved to fish and continued to until late in his life. His fishing trips with his sons up the Grande Ronde River and Catherine Creek were squeezed in between farming duties. Raymond didn’t play sports while in school, as farming took up his time, but he was always up for playing catch with a softball or a football and played bas- ketball with his sons on a court his son constructed in the barn loft. Boxing was an activity Raymond enjoyed when he was in the Army, and he didn’t miss a Muhammad Ali fight if he could tune it into his pickup radio. Surviving relatives include his children and their spouses, Larry and Barb Johnson of Imbler, Bruce and Tammy Johnson of Oregon City, and Janice Welke of Dallas; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Rhoda Johnson; wife, Agnes Johnson; brother, Gordon Johnson; sister, Darlene Herndon; and grandson, Alan. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lovelandfuneral- chapel.com. Public Safety Report DELIVERY ISSUES? If you have any problems receiving your Observer, call 541-963-3161. thE OBSErVEr — 3A Elgin, on a report of a suspicious person. Deputies arrested Jeffrey Jacob Hamilton. 34, for posses- sion of methamphetamine and on a Washington Department of Cor- rections warrant for failure to reg- ister as a felony sex offender. Dep- uties also cited him on two Clatsop County warrants for failure to appear in a misdemeanor theft case. 2:15 p.m. — Local law enforce- ment received a report that Oregon State Police out of Medford cited Nathan William Crouch, 30, on a Union County warrant for failure to appear on charges of two counts of taking, angling, hunting or trapping in violation of wildlife law or rule, restrictions on hunting with artifi- cial light and wasting wildlife. 4 p.m. — Oregon State Police reported livestock was loose on the 71100 block of Highway 82, Elgin. 4:22 p.m. — A caller reported a domestic disturbance on the 62200 block of Robin Road, La Grande. LUNCH: BBQ chicken sandwich, broccoli florets. Friday: BREAKFAST: straw- berry yogurt, graham crackers, fruit or juice; LUNCH: corn dog, golden French fries. La Grande middle and high schools Monday: BREAKFAST: apple strudel, fresh fruit; LUNCH: popcorn chicken, breadstick, cucumber slices. Tuesday: BREAKFAST: straw- berry-cream-cheese-filled bagel, orange juice; LUNCH: corn dog, French fries. Wednesday: BREAKFAST: breakfast burrito, fresh fruit; LUNCH: Italian meatball sub, red peppers. Thursday: BREAKFAST: cocoa-cereal bar, cheese stick, orange juice; LUNCH: chick- en-salad sandwich, broccoli. Friday: BREAKFAST: breakfast sandwich, fresh fruit; LUNCH: chicken Caesar wrap, green beans. Union County sheriff’s depu- ties responded and counseled the parties. 5:01 p.m. — A La Grande officer spotted a disabled vehicle blocking traffic at Second Street and Lake Avenue and rendered assistance. 10:53 p.m. — A caller reported gunshots in the area of the 2000 block of Fourth Street, La Grande. Officers responded but did not find anyone shooting. THURSDAY, MARCH 11 10:44 a.m. — A caller reported possible animal abuse or neglect on the 2300 block of Q Avenue, La Grande. An animal enforcement officer responded and gave options. 4:46 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2300 block of Island Avenue on a report of a care- less driver. The officer found and counseled the driver. 5:19 p.m. — La Grande police responded to Garden Club Park at the corner of Y Avenue and Depot Street on a report of a misdemeanor assault. An officer made contact and will follow up. 5:24 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a traffic sign was down at Pierce Road and Highway 203, La Grande. The dispatch center noti- fied the Oregon Department of Transportation. 9:43 p.m. — A caller reported a male causing a disturbance on the 200 block of Fir Street, La Grande. Police responded. The caller did not want to pursue charges, and the male went home for the night. 10:52 p.m. — A caller reported a subject on the 200 block of Fir Street who might drive while intox- icated. Officers responded and one gave the person a ride home. FRIDAY, MARCH 12 2:51 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of a sex crime. Many people have been asking us?? Can we move our pre-arranged funeral plan to your funeral home? YOU CAN! And it is easy. Loveland Funeral Chapel accepts and honors almost all pre-arranged funeral plans from other funeral chapels. We understand that changes occur and you can easily transfer your plan to Loveland Funeral Chapel. Theses transfers can take place ahead of time or even when someone passes away. 1508 Fourth Street La Grande Union County's Only Crematory Call 541-963-5022