RECORDS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021
THE OBSERVER — A3
OBITUARIES
Verna M. (Persigehl) Svaty
Gerald ‘Jerry’ S. Sink
Leo ‘Max’ Lane
1930-2021
La Grande
1944-2021
La Grande
1925-2021
Cove
Verna Marie Svaty, 90,
away an opportunity to
of La Grande, died July
show her love by off ering a
30, 2021, at her residence.
hearty meal.
A reception in her honor
Growing up during the
will be held at noon Aug. 7
Great Depression, Verna
at the Catherine
learned the value
Creek Community
of working hard,
Center in Union.
savoring every
Verna was born
blessing and
Nov. 3, 1930, in
appreciating the
her family’s farm-
little things in
house near Sylvan
life. These are
Grove, Kansas, to
values that she
Susan Persigehl
lived by, instilled
and Gerhart Per-
in her children,
sigehl. She was
and prayed for
Svaty
the oldest of three
her grandchildren
children and spent
and great-grand-
her childhood working with children to carry on.
her parents and siblings on
Verna’s favorite Bible
their farm.
verses include Psalm 118:24:
As a young adult Verna
“This is the day the Lord
worked her way through St. has made, we will rejoice
John’s College in Winfi eld,
and be glad in it.” Among
Kansas, to become a teacher her favorite hymns are “It
and afterward taught
Is Well with My Soul” and
second grade at Bethlehem
“Trust and Obey”, which
Lutheran School in Sylvan
she regularly sang to her
Grove. Verna loved her
children and to many of her
father and often shared sto-
grandchildren while rocking
ries of how he showed his
them to sleep at nap and
love for his family and his
bedtime.
faith in Jesus. She lost her
Surviving relatives
father suddenly when she
include her husband of
was just 24 years old.
66 years, Norman; chil-
In 1955 Verna married
dren and their spouses,
Norman Wayne Svaty in
Gayle and Dave Orcutt,
a small ceremony at Beth-
Ginger and Eric Pentz,
lehem Lutheran Church
Gina Munoz, Myron Svaty,
in Sylvan Grove, Kansas.
Max and Alita Svaty, and
She was a devoted wife
Mart and Diane Svaty; and
and nurtured her six chil-
12 grandchildren and 14
dren, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
great-grandchildren. She
Online condolences
was a trusted mother-in-law may be made to the family
and a loving friend. A fabu- at www.lovelandfuneral-
lous cook, she never turned
chapel.com.
Gerald “Jerry” Stanley
fed every day.
Sink, 77, of La Grande,
Jerry was known
died July 19, 2021, at his
around the neighborhood
home.
as the candy man. Chil-
Known as Jerry, he
dren would show up in a
was born Jan. 25, 1944,
group almost every day
to James Sink and Vir-
because they knew Jerry
ginia “Jan”
would have
(Dillworth)
some candy to
Sink. While
hand out. He
growing up, he
had just one rule
was educated
and would say,
throughout the
“Paper goes in
western states
the trash. Right,
while his father
kids?” He loved
worked on the
doing this, and
power lines
seeing the smiles
starting with
on their faces
Sink
Boulder Dam
made his day.
and going north,
Jerry was
fi nally set-
a friend to
tling in Sultan,
everyone. He
Washington.
always struck up
Once Jerry
a conversation
was of age, he
with, and some-
served a tour
times hugged,
in the U.S.
people he saw
Navy during
on the street. He
the Vietnam War. Upon
had hundreds of friends
his discharge, he made
but held a small group
his home in the Grande
close to his heart. Some
Ronde Valley, where he
days he would look around
worked and retired from
the room or table and say
Boise Cascade.
to his friends, “You know,
Those who knew Jerry
I am pretty choosy about
realized there was some-
the people I hang out with.
thing special about him.
I am really surprised that
He could take over a room some of you made the
with his unique charisma, cut” — and then he would
always saying his favorite smile.
line — “Hey, you got any
He was preceded in
extra money?” — then he
death by his parents and
would laugh and carry on. a brother, Lyle Thomas
He really thought he was a Sink.
comedian some days.
Surviving relatives
Jerry also had a soft
include his brother and
side that most people
sister-in-law, Jim and
didn’t see, like his love for Michelle Sink of Homer,
his brother Jim, and his
Alaska.
deep aff ection for all ani-
Online condolences
mals, especially his old
may be made to the family
dog, Buddy, and the stray
at www.lovelandfuneral-
cat he named Orangy and
chapel.com.
COMMUNITY
BULLETIN BOARD
Registration for youth
soccer closes Aug. 6
ENTERPRISE — Wal-
lowa Valley Youth Soccer
is now taking registrations
for children ages 5-13 who
want to play in the 2021
season. WVYS President
Jeff Yanke said 5-year-
olds must have had their
birthday by Sept. 1. Dead-
line to sign up is Friday,
Aug. 6.
Yanke said the season
was crippled last year
because of the coronavirus
pandemic, with soccer
workshops replacing the
usual competitive play.
There are typically a few
hundred kids playing, he
said.
Yanke said adult volun-
teers are needed, as well as
board members, as this is
his last year on the group’s
board.
To register or for more
information about volun-
teering, go to wallowaval-
leysoccer.org or email wal-
lowavalleysoccer@gmail.
com.
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Aug. 5 & Aug. 7 —
LEO “MAX” LANE:
Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m. viewing,
Loveland Funeral Chapel,
La Grande; Aug. 7,
10 a.m. graveside service,
Cove Cemetery.
Aug. 7 — VERNA
SVATY: noon reception,
Catherine Creek Commu-
nity Center, Union.
Aug. 14 — ALVIN
MONTGOMERY:
12:30 p.m. celebration
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, AUG. 2
9:15 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to the 2700
block of L Avenue on a report
of a fi ght.
11:05 a.m. — A caller
reported a domestic distur-
bance on the 1100 block of
First Street, La Grande. Offi cer
resolved the situation.
1:22 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to a traf-
fi c crash at Island Avenue and
Cherry Street and took a report.
4:27 p.m. — A caller
reported the theft of a motor
home from the 2300 block of Q
Avenue, La Grande. An offi cer
took a report.
6:16 p.m. — La Grande
police and medics responded
to the 2100 block of Adams
Avenue on a report of an
assault. Police took a report.
10:13 p.m. — A resident on
the 2000 block of Gekeler Lane,
La Grande, reported a problem
with a barking dog.
tic disturbance. Police cited a
34-year-old La Grande man for
harassment.
10:17 a.m. — The Union
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce arrested
Darlene Marie Ferguson, 47, for
theft by deception, second-de-
gree and fi rst-degree theft.
1:04 p.m. — La Grande
police responded to Washing-
ton Avenue and Fourth Street
on a report of an assault. Police
cited a 27-year-old man with no
fi xed address for harassment.
2:48 p.m. — A resident on
the 1000 block of Antles Lane,
Cove, complained about a
dog that keeps getting into
the trash. An animal enforce-
ment offi cer warned the dog’s
owner.
5:40 p.m. — A caller
reported animal abuse on the
700 block of Highland Drive, La
Grande.
with his daughter, Renee.
In his later years, Max
became very active in
community service, vol-
unteering much time at
the Union County
Senior Center,
where he also
enjoyed dancing
and playing cards.
Max was a
sports enthusiast,
cheering on the
Oregon Ducks
every fall and trav-
eling to games
with his wife. He
was also an avid
outdoorsman and
enjoyed visiting his
daughter and son-
in-law at the many
wildlife refuges
where they were
stationed. Max was
a great fi sherman
and bird and elk hunter,
and he loved white water
boating with his son,
Gary, and other family
members.
Max’s world revolved
around family. His bright
spirit and wonderful sense
of humor will live on
through them.
He was preceded in
death by his wife, Wythal,
and great-grandson,
Mason Sjostrom.
Surviving relatives
include his brother, Jack
of Portland; children
and their spouses, Gary
and Barb Lane of Rig-
gins, Idaho, and Renee
and Richard Sjostrom
of Pocatello, Idaho; two
grandchildren and fi ve
great-grandchildren; and
many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of fl owers,
memorial contributions
may be made to the Union
County Senior Center,
1504 N. Albany St., La
Grande 97850.
Online condolences
may be made to the family
at www.lovelandfuneral-
chapel.com.
DEATH NOTICES
Hershell R. Parker
Cove
Hershell R. Parker, 78, of Cove, died Aug. 3, 2021, at
Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Rosella I. Ngiraungil
La Grande
Rosella I. Ngiraungil, 41, of La Grande, died July 29,
2021, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by
Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
In Loving Memory
Norman D. “Don” Anson
“Real Food for
the People”
Open
Fri-Sun Take-out
Menu
5pm-8pm Updated
Weekly
www.tendepotstreet.com
541-963-8766
tendepotstreet@gmail.com
An Independent
Insurance Agency
TUESDAY, AUG. 3
1:34 a.m. — A caller
reported a person was looking
into vehicles at the La Grande
Rendezvous RV Resort, 2632
Bearco Loop, La Grande. An
offi cer trespassed the person
from the property.
5:50 a.m. — A caller on
the 300 block of 20th Street,
La Grande, reported an issue
between tenants and dogs. An
offi cer resolved the situation.
9:59 a.m. — La Grande
police responded to the
800 block of Grandy Ave-
nue on a report of a domes-
of life, Zion Lutheran
Church, La Grande.
Aug. 21 — MARY
BROWN: 11 a.m. cele-
bration of life, St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church, La
Grande.
Sept. 18 — JAMES
YOST: 2 p.m. celebration
of life, Cloverleaf Hall,
Enterprise.
Oct. 16 — MEL
ELDER: 10 a.m. memo-
rial service, La Grande
First Christian Church.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel, La Grande
Leo “Max” Lane, 95,
of Cove, died Aug. 2,
2021, at his residence. A
viewing will be held from
6-8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Love-
land Funeral
Chapel, La
Grande.
A grave-
side service
will begin at
10 a.m. Aug.
7 at Cove
Cemetery.
Known as
Max, he was
Lane
born Dec.
14, 1925, to
Francis Lane
and Nona
Lane. As a
kid, he fol-
lowed the
migrant fruit
circuit with
his parents
during the Great Depres-
sion. They eventually
landed in Cove, where
Max graduated from Cove
High School in 1943.
After high school, Max
joined the U.S. Navy and
was stationed in Guam,
where he piloted an LCVP
during Word War II. He
also boxed in the Navy
and won every match.
When he was honorably
discharged he returned to
Cove and married his high
school sweetheart, Wythal
Puckett. They made their
home in Portland and
were happily married for
61 years.
Max attended the Uni-
versity of Oregon where
he received a bachelor’s
degree in physical edu-
cation. He touched many
lives as a math teacher
and coach.
After 30 years of
teaching, he started a
fence and deck business
in Portland. Additionally,
he spent much time cul-
tivating a 22-acre cherry
orchard, where he fi nally
retired and operated it
February 13, 1935 - July 18, 2021
Graveside Services
Saturday
August 7, 2021
1:00 P.M.
Elgin Cemetery
Elgin (Union County), Oregon.
Please join the family at the Elgin Community Center
Pavillion for refreshments.
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NORMAN DONALD ANSON was born February 13, 1935, in Walla Walla, Washing-
ton, the son of the late Charlie Anson and Carolyn (Gray) Anson. He was raised and re-
ceived his education in the communities of Elgin and Hermiston, having been a graduate
of the Elgin High School Class of 1953. Upon his high school graduation, Don attended
Eastern Oregon State University in La Grande, having received a bachelor’s degree in
education. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Arloa “Fig” Buschke on April 30, 1954,
in Elgin, Oregon. Following their marriage they moved to the Forest Grove community,
where they both started their teaching careers. They taught in Forest Grove for twenty-five
years, Don having taught at Tom McCall Middle School and Kwajalein Jr/Sr High in the
Marshall Islands from 1969 to 1976. Then returned to Forest Grove to finish their teaching
careers.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, “Fig”, on March 16, 2013, after celebrating over
fifty-eight years of marriage together.
Among his special interests, he loved to travel, and he and “Fig” went on 25 cruises
and visited 6 continents, just missing Antarctica which they planned to visit when she
was diagnosed with PSP, which ended their long travels. He was preceded in death by his
parents, Charlie and Carolyn Anson.
Survivors include his three children, Dale Anson and his wife, Lisa, of Boise, Idaho:
Kay Clayton and her partner Fred Timberlake, of Aloha, Oregon and Kelly Anson and his
wife, Erica, of Vancouver, Washington. Also surviving are his six grandchildren, his six
great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions the American Heart Asso-
ciation, Oregon Chapter, 4380 S. Macadam Avenue, #480, Portland, Oregon 97239, in his
memory.
To sign the online guest book or to send a condolence to the family go to www.
fuitenrosehoyt.com.