RECORDS
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
DEATH & SERVICE NOTICES
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
FRIDAY, JAN. 28
8:35 a.m. — La Grande police received a report of a sex crime.
An officer responded and took a report.
3:24 p.m. — La Grande police during a traffic stop at Y Avenue
and Ash Street arrested Truman Joseph Bemis, 23, on an Idaho
warrant for original changes of unlawful discharge of a weapon
at a house, occupied building, vehicle, etc., and deadly weapon
enhancement.
5:27 p.m. — An Elgin resident on the 300 block of North 16th
Avenue reported telephonic harassment. A Union County sheriff’s
deputy made contact and explained options.
5:34 p.m. — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle on the 69500
block of Clark Creek Road, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s deputy
responded and recovered a stolen vehicle.
7:40 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about two
suspicious people at Clover Glen Apartments, 2212 Cove Ave. Local
law enforcement responded and arrested a 17-year-old male on a
warrant out of the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Woodburn,
charging assault on a public safety officer. Police also returned two
runaways to guardians.
7:44 p.m. — A La Grande resident on the 2400 block of Riddle
Road reported telephonic harassment. A Union County sheriff’s
deputy made contact and explained options.
SATURDAY, JAN. 29
8:29 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about a
restraining order violation on the 1000 block of Lake Avenue. An
officer made contact and took a report.
10:15 a.m. — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle on the 2500
block of Adams Avenue, La Grande. An officer responded and tres-
passed two people from the property.
4:59 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1700 block of
Spruce Street on a report of a domestic disturbance and separated
the parties.
5:35 p.m. — A caller reported a juvenile involved in a distur-
THe ObserVer — A3
bance at a residence on the 1900 block of Cove Avenue, La Grande.
An officer responded and resolved the situation.
6:08 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the
10200 block of South Valley Avenue, La Grande, on a report of a
domestic disturbance and separated the parties.
6:09 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the
500 block of North 13th Avenue, Elgin, on a report of a disturbance.
The deputy instead found children were playing,
7:10 p.m. — A caller reported a trespasser on the 69200 block
of Highway 237, Cove. Union County sheriff’s deputies responded
and determined this was a misunderstanding between neighbors.
11 p.m. — A caller complained about a loud party at a res-
idence on the 1600 block of Seventh Street, La Grande. A Union
County sheriff’s deputy responded because city police were busy.
The deputy found people were leaving the party.
11:59 p.m. — A caller complained about a loud party at a res-
idence on the 800 block of 16th Street, La Grande. An officer
responded and the occupants said they would keep down the
volume.
SUNDAY, JAN. 30
6:44 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 200 block of H
Avenue on a call about a domestic disturbance. Officers, however,
took a report for criminal mischief.
3:35 p.m. — A caller reported a restraining order violation on
the 1100 block of Alder Street, Elgin. A Union County sheriff’s dep-
uty made contact and provided options.
8:25 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a com-
plaint about child neglect at Walmart, 11619 Island Ave., Island
City. A deputy responded and took information.
10 p.m. — A resident on the 1500 block of 21st Street, La
Grande, reported harassment. An officer made contact and
explained options.
11:54 p.m. — A resident on the 1200 block of Benton Avenue,
La Grande, reported a theft but did not want to pursue charges.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
David J. Baxter
La Grande
David J Baxter, 77, of La Grande, died Jan. 30, 2022,
at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral
Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Dianna Bray
Cove
Dianna Bray, 62, of Cove, died Jan. 29, 2022, at her
home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel &
Crematory, La Grande.
Garret W. Crawford
La Grande
Garret W. Crawford, 68, of La Grande, died Jan.
25, 2022, at his home. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Phyllis M. Murphy
Island City
Phyllis M. Murphy, 86, of Island City, died Jan. 25,
2022, at her residence. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Rose Marie Reese
Formerly of Union
Rose Marie Ash Fallow Reese, 73, of Nampa, Idaho,
and formerly of Union, died Jan. 17, 2022, in Nampa. A
graveside service under the direction of the family will
be held Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Cove Cemetery. Arrange-
ments are by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory,
La Grande.
BRIEFS
UPCOMING LOCAL SERVICES
Online gardening class offered
COVE — Nella Mae Parks, of
Nella Mae’s Farm in Cove, is offering
an online gardening class on the first
Wednesday of the month this winter.
The next class, “Starting Seeds
Indoors & Transplanting,” is on Feb.
2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and will be held
via Zoom.
Parks will cover topics such as:
• Best tips for successful, robust
starts
• How to increase germination
rates and avoid disease
• Making a plan and schedule
• The best time to start and
transplant
• Best practices for transplanting
The class includes time for asking
questions. Pre-register at www.
nellamaesfarm.com. If you can afford
it, the class is $8 per person. If you
can’t, come anyway. Payment options
and process, as well as the Zoom link
and other offerings at the farm, are
also available on Nella Mae’s website.
The next classes will be “Growing
Nut Trees” on March 2 and “No/Low-
till Gardening” on April 6.
Cove senior lunch served
twice a month
COVE — Cove senior lunches are
served at Founders Hall on the Ascen-
sion School grounds on the first and
Please follow guide-
lines regarding face
coverings and social
distancing at gatherings.
Feb. 4 — CECILIA
CAMPBELL: 10 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial,
Our Lady of the Valley
Catholic Church, La
Grande.
Feb. 4 — DONNA
dick Mason/The Observer, File
Nella Mae Parks, owner of Nella Mae’s Farm in Cove, poses for a photo on March 3, 2021. Parks
teaches gardening classes online and, when the pandemic and weather allows, in person at
her farm.
third Tuesdays of the month. Coffee
and tea are available at 11:30 a.m., and
lunch is at noon.
The menu for the next meal, on
Tuesday, Feb. 15, is chicken fettuc-
cine alfredo, roasted vegetables, salad
bar, French bread and molasses ginger
cookies.
The price is $5 per meal and reser-
vations are requested. If you haven’t
been contacted or wish to participate,
call Betsy Arnson at 541-568-4902 or
Virginia Fischer at 1-907-299-6072 by
Feb. 8.
Senior center resumes
chair exercise classes
LA GRANDE — The Union
County Senior Center, which is now
open for weekday in-person dining as
well as pinochle and bingo games on
Tuesdays, is again offering its Chair
Exercise Class. The class is free and
open to all ages. It is held on Mon-
days, Wednesdays and Fridays from
10-11 a.m. at the senior center, 1504
N. Albany St., La Grande.
— The Observer
Song and dance show has ‘Got Your Number’
The Observer
LA GRANDE — An
upcoming performance on
the Eastern Oregon Uni-
versity campus features “a
cacophony of choreography
and classic popular music
tracks from all over the
musical map,” according to
a press release.
“We’ve Got Your
Number,” a multi-genre
musical performance and
EOU Chamber Choir’s first
live show of 2022, runs
Friday and Saturday, Feb.
4 and Feb. 5, in McKenzie
Theatre in EOU’s Loso
Hall, under the direction
of Peter Wordelman, music
professor and chamber
choir director. The show
features 22 songs.
This one-of-a-kind pro-
duction is sponsored by Red
Cross Drug.
Performances are at
7:30 p.m. on Friday, and
at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
on Saturday. Admission
alex Wittwer/EO Media Group
The cast of “We’ve Got Your Number” rehearses on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Tickets are on sale now for the
Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 shows.
is $8 for adults and $7
for students and seniors.
Tickets are available at
Red Cross Drug, in the
EOU Bookstore and
online at eou.edu/music/
weve-got-your-number.
Explore Wallowology on
Fridays and Saturdays
JOSEPH — The Wal-
lowology Discovery
Center is open this winter,
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays.
The center, 508 N. Main
St., Joseph, offers hands-on
exhibits and activities about
ecosystems and landscapes.
Exhibits include Ecosys-
tems of Northeast Oregon,
Ancient Forests in the Blue
Mountains, Moraines and
Geology of the Wallowas,
The Pollinator Room, The
BROWN: noon cel-
ebration of life, Dan-
iels-Knopp Funeral,
Cremation & Life Cel-
ebration Center, La
Grande; graveside service
follows at 2 p.m. at Hill-
crest East Cemetery.
Feb. 5 — ROSE
MARIE REESE: 1 p.m.
graveside service, Cove
Cemetery.
— calendar cour-
tesy of Loveland Funeral
Chapel
Discovery Room and Birds
of Prey Exhibit. All guests
age 5 and older must wear a
mask while in the center.
Wallowology is also
offering free winter hikes
in the Wallowa Valley with
a naturalist. These fami-
ly-friendly light hikes are
available Friday-Sunday by
appointment only. Call 509-
923-1965 to book a walk.
For more information
about the center, visit www.
wallowology.org.
Donna Jean (Hurd) Brown
February 19, 1932 - January 12, 2022
Donna Jean Brown, age 89, of La Grande and for-
merly of Elgin, Pendleton and Seal Rock, died Jan. 12,
2022, at her home. A celebration of her life will be held
on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at noon at Daniels-Knopp Fu-
neral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. A viewing
will be held prior to the service starting at 10 a.m. A
graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Hillcrest
East Cemetery.
Donna was born on Feb. 19, 1932, the daughter of
Charles and Helen (Wendell) Hurd in Greentown, Ohio.
Donna stayed at home and raised four children. She did
a lot of babysitting, was a leader of 4-H clubs and Girl
Scouts.
On Aug. 14, 1948, she married Kermit Robert
Brown. They were married 68 years until his death
on Jan. 11, 2017. She enjoyed her family and friends,
camping, fishing and her large flower and vegetable
garden.
Survivors include her children, Charlie and Bill;
16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; many
nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. In
addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by
daughter, Sherrie; son, Fred; parents; and three sisters.
Those who wish may make contributions in her
memory to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, La
Grande.
Kaye R. (Abbott) Rogers
May 10, 1934 - January 13, 2022
Kaye R. Rogers, age 87, passed
away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 13,
2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital in
La Grande. A private family service
will take place at a later time.
Kaye was born May 10, 1934,
to Robert Wade and Muriel Ruth
(Greenslade) Abbott in Hunting-
ton. She moved with her family to
La Grande in 1948 where her father
worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. She graduated
from La Grande High School with the class of 1952. She
remained in contact with many classmates through the
years, attending monthly lunch dates with those still liv-
ing in La Grande until 2020.
Kaye married Harold Mahlon Rogers on Feb. 18,
1954, in her parents’ home in La Grande.
As a child Kaye roamed the hills around Huntington
where she developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. Af-
ter moving to La Grande she continued her exploration of
the world around her.
Kaye had a sense of humor and dry wit that frequently
brought smiles to those around her. She was a lifelong
learner who enjoyed reading, solving puzzles of many
kinds and studying maps. As an employee of Radio Shack
she expanded her knowledge of electronics to provide
service to her customers.
For several years Kaye played volleyball in the winter
and softball in the summer on a community league team,
forging many close friendships. The softball team helped
construct a cabin that is popular with friends and family
to this day.
She enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter, and looking
for mushrooms, four-wheeling, camping and hiking in
the warmer months.
Family was always important to Kaye. Visits from her
oldest child to her youngest great-great-grandchild would
bring a smile to her face. She would take the time to listen
to their opinions and encourage them in their dreams.
Charter members of Union County Search and Res-
cue, Harold and Kaye were granted lifetime membership
for their many years of volunteer service.
She is survived by her husband, Harold Rogers of
La Grande; sons, Steven (Shelly) Rogers of Joseph and
Kevin (Jean) Rogers of La Grande; daughter, Kristine
Rogers (Cliff) Scott of Kuna, Idaho; grandchildren, Lin-
da Rogers (Jerimiah) Perkins of Middleton, Idaho, Lisa
Rogers (Craig) Roberts of Lewiston, Idaho, Tai Rogers
of The Dalles, Oregon, Heath (Sarah) Curtis of Silverton,
Oregon, Amber Perkowski and Shawn Poole of Joseph,
Oregon, Heather Rogers (Peirce) Richardson of Mari-
on, Iowa, Jennifer Rogers (Aaron) Lutke and Stephanie
Rogers of Meridian, Idaho, Timothy (Brittney) Rogers
of Portland, Oregon, Jeanette Rogers Schmidt of Jack-
son, Georgia, Tanner (Holly) Scott of Nampa, Idaho, and
Nathan Scott of Kuna, Idaho; 16 great-grandchildren and
one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Nancy Sergeant of
Baker City, Oregon, and James (Mary) Abbott of Hanah-
an, South Carolina; and numerous nieces, nephews, cous-
ins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings,
Wade Abbott, Victor Abbott and Karol Abbott.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contri-
butions be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital (online
at www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) or a
charity of your choice.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the
staff of the intensive care unit at Grande Ronde Hospital
for their exceptional care of Kaye during her stay there.
Your kindness to the family and Kaye will always be re-
membered.