RECORDS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
THE OBSERVER — A3
DEATH NOTICES
Darlene P. Bartlett
BRIEFS
FEB. 7-11
Monday: cheeseburger, steak fries,
fresh fruit, dessert.
Tuesday: shepherd’s pie, salad
greens, fresh fruit, cobbler.
Wednesday: fried chicken, mashed
potatoes and gravy, salad greens,
fresh fruit, dessert.
Thursday: beef cabbage rolls,
salad greens, fresh fruit, lemon bar.
Friday: mac and cheese with
bacon bits, spinach salad, baked
bread, fresh fruit.
Teens will make
paper fl owers at next iCraft
LA GRANDE — Teen iCraft
will be held at Cook Memorial
Library, 2006 Fourth St., La Grande
on Wednesday, Feb. 9, beginning at
4 p.m. In this month’s craft get-
together, teens will make paper
fl owers.
The free activity is open to anyone
in middle or high school. Supplies
are provided, and registration is not
needed. The activity will be held
in the library’s Community Room.
Masks are required while inside the
library.
The library off ers a variety of free
activities for teens. For information
on upcoming events, visit the library’s
web, Facebook, Instagram and Pin-
terest pages or call 541-962-1339.
EOU choir show postponed
to Feb. 25-26
LA GRANDE — The Eastern
Oregon University’s chamber choir is
postponing its weekend show, “We’ve
Got Your Number,” after some mem-
bers of the chorus tested positive
for COVID-19. The show has been
rescheduled for Feb. 25 and 26 at
McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall on
EOU’s campus.
Choir members have followed
EOU’s COVID-19 testing protocols
since returning to campus for winter
term and will continue to be tested.
“Students, faculty and guest cho-
reographers have been working care-
fully and diligently under challenging
rehearsal circumstances, but this is
the only practical and prudent way
to proceed in support of our commu-
nity’s health,” said Nate Lowe, dean
of the College of Arts, Humanities
and Social Sciences. “I am thankful
for our faculty’s and Student Aff airs’
MEETINGS
Cook Memorial Library/Contributed Photo
Teens are invited to make paper roses at
the next iCraft at Cook Memorial Library,
La Grande, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
careful and thoughtful approach
to working with these student per-
formers so that they have a public
stage to showcase their talents.”
The show will run at the same
times — 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb.
25, and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sat-
urday, Feb. 26 — and tickets that have
already been purchased will remain
valid. For more information or ques-
tions about already purchased tickets,
contact the choir director, Peter
Wordelman, at pwordelm@eou.edu.
MENUS
Union County Senior
Center lunch menu
Dine-in meals: Served from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; use
front entrance and observe social
distancing.
Takeout meals: Pick up from noon
to 1 p.m. at kitchen’s back door.
Cost: Age 60+, $4 suggested dona-
tion; all others, $7 (note 2022 price
increase).
• LA GRANDE — A regular ses-
sion of the La Grande Rural Fire
District Board will begin at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the fi re hall. For
more information, call 541-910-3114.
• LA GRANDE — The Union
County chapter of Health Care for
ALL Oregon will meet virtually on
Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. via Zoom
for part one of a messaging workshop
with Dave Alba, the Oregon coordi-
nator for the Progressive Democrats
of America. For access to the meeting,
email unioncounty@hcao.org.
• LA GRANDE — The city of
La Grande’s Planning Commission
will meet online for a regular session
Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. The meeting
can be viewed at www.facebook.com/
LaGrandeCityManager. Time per-
mitting, a work session will follow to
discuss 2022 land code development
changes.
• LA GRANDE — The Board of
Directors of the La Grande School
District will meet in the District
Offi ce Board Room, 1305 N. Willow,
on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m. for
a closed executive session and then
at 7 p.m. for a regular session. The
meeting will be available in person,
online and via phone. See the agenda
at www.lagrandesd.org for meeting
access information.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2
10:11 a.m. — A caller complained about a barking dog on the
2400 block of L Avenue, La Grande. An animal enforcement offi -
cer gave the dog’s owner a warning.
11:59 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint about van-
dalism on the 2500 block of Cove Avenue. An offi cer responded.
1:45 p.m. — La Grande police respponded to a complaint about
vandalism on the 2100 block of L Avenue.
1:55 p.m. — La Grande police received a report from Youth for
Christ, 1001 Second St., of an assault that occurred the previous
night. An offi cer responded and would follow up.
4:32 p.m. — A caller at Legacy Ford, 2906 Island Ave., La Grande,
reported the possible theft of a rental car. An offi cer took a report.
11:03 p.m. — Local law enforcement responded to Eastern Ore-
gon University, 1 University Blvd., La Grande, on a report of a distur-
bance but could not locate both people involved.
THURSDAY, FEB. 3
9:45 a.m. — La Grande police received a complaint from the
600 block of 12th Street about a subject needing to be trespassed.
An offi cer made contact and looked for people involved.
10:47 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the area of Spruce
Street and Monroe Avenue on a report of harassment and gave a
warning.
4:26 p.m. — A caller on the 2000 block of Fourth Street,
La Grande, reported a disturbance involving a juvenile.
An offi cer responded and referred the situation to the Cen-
Jane Hegele
Jane Hegele is in her eter-
nal home after 84 years on this
Earth. She lived through a lot
but always knew God was there
by her side. She was married to
Edward Hegele for 66 years.
When Jane was in high
school, her classmate, Danny, would walk past her and ask,
“Are you saved yet?” Well she did get saved at the age of
16, kneeling at the couch in her childhood home that had a
Last Supper tapestry hanging above it.
She grew up on a farm and so hard work was expected
every day starting with milking cows and then working in
the fields. School was optional depending on how much
she was needed on the farm. Over the summer of her junior
year, she went to a Seventh Day Adventist school and paid
her way by ironing clothes.
Her favorite place was the ocean but her longest desire
was to travel to Jerusalem but was never able to go. Ed and
Jane bought many videos about Israel and Jerusalem so
they had more of a virtual tour. Rick Steves Travel Adven-
tures allowed her to travel the world from her living room
and was one of her favorite shows.
Each Sunday she would get up early to watch Charles
Stanley preach and then watch the Brooklyn Tabernacle
Choir. Her most cherished time was with her husband
during their morning devotions and prayer time. She kept
a hymnal next to her chair and especially loved the song,
“It Is Well With my Soul.”
She loved to learn new things and took up stained glass,
macrame, ceramics and making rugs.
Horseback riding up into the mountains always gave
her such joy in her younger years and she had traversed
many miles with her horse, Ace. She always loved the Ara-
bian horses but only had one for a brief time.
She managed rentals and her husband came up with
the business name of “Jane’s Marvelous Rentals.” It was
always her desire to make a rental nice enough that she
would live there herself and eventually did in the late 90s.
The color green was a favorite, so if you ever stayed in one
of her rentals with emerald green carpet, now you know
why.
Jane became a lot like her high school classmate and
would often ask others, “Are you saved yet?” Having Je-
sus Christ as her personal Savior was her most cherished
gift and she wanted everyone around her to live in that
freedom. Her light will continue to shine through as we
remember all the love she shared with us.
ter for Human Development.
9:31 p.m. — The Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce received a com-
plaint about a suspicious vehicle on the 1100 block of Alder Street,
Elgin. A deputy responded, determined the driver was lost and
gave assistance.
10:35 p.m. — La Grande police received a complaint from the
2000 block of Third Street about a trespasser who may have been
experiencing mental illness. Local law enforcement responded and
the person left willingly.
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
Feb. 5 — ROSE MARIE REESE: 1 p.m. grave-
side service, Cove Cemetery.
March 26 — JUDY HUNT: 3 p.m. celebration of
life, La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Please follow guidelines regarding face coverings
and social distancing at gatherings. Calendar courtesy
of Loveland Funeral Chapel.
Donna Brooks
February 14, 1928 - January 28, 2022
Donna Brooks, 93, of Union,
Oregon, died at her home on Friday,
Jan. 28, 2022. A celebration of life
will be held at a later date, time and
place TBA.
Donna was born on Feb. 14, 1928,
in Hot Lake, Oregon. She was raised
in Union and graduated from Union
High School in 1946.
In 1950, she married Charles
Mitchell in Baker City and together
they had 3 children; Tanya, Bart and Sharon. They later
divorced. Donna married Dwight Brooks on March 10,
1967. He also had 3 children; Debbie, Larry and Dalton.
Their blended family drew no lines as both Dwight and
Donna graciously became “mom and dad” to each oth-
er’s children.
Prior to having her kids, Donna worked at the Union
High School in the office. She then worked at Ronde
Valley Lumber Company for 15 years before moving to
Idaho for Dwight’s job. She finished her working career
at a new golf course before retiring.
Donna liked all kinds of crafts, including working
with pine cones, Christmas trees and wreaths. She en-
joyed crocheting so much that she made 42 afghan blan-
kets and gave them all away. Donna also loved spring,
flowers, babies, animals, the mountains, camping at
Tamarack Campground, watching the hummingbirds at
the bird feeders and reading books.
Highlights during Donna’s life included the births of
her children and her marriage and life with Dwight. She
will be remembered for her love of all of her family.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 55
years, Dwight Brooks; brothers, Robert, Neal and Leon
Van Housen; and sister, Verle Green.
She is survived by her children Tanya Collier,
Sharon (Field) Paine, Bart (Karin) Mitchell, Larry (Prin-
ipa) Brooks, Dalton (Yulia) Brooks; 20 grandchildren,
24 great-grandchildren; one brand new great-great
grandson and one on the way.
For those who would like to make a memorial dona-
tion in honor of Donna, she specifically requested do-
nations be made to the Union High School Scholarship
Fund through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and
Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834.
Online condolences can be shared at www.tamipsineval-
leyfuneralhome.com.
La Grande
Darlene P. Bartlett, 72, of La Grande, died Feb. 3,
2022, at Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are
by Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory,
La Grande.
Judy A. Pratt
Elgin
Judy A. Pratt, 75, of Elgin, died Feb. 2, 2022, at her
home. Arrangements are by Loveland Funeral Chapel &
Crematory, La Grande.
James L. Yankey
North Powder
James LeRoy Yankey, 72, of North Powder, died Feb.
2, 2022, at Oregon Health Science University Hospital,
Portland. Arrangements are by Gray’s West & Co.
Pioneer Chapel, Baker City.
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Wilmerth Dorene Bates
August 29, 1930 – January 26, 2022
Wilmerth Dorene Bates, 91, of Cove, passed away
on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at her residence. At her
request, there will be no service.
Wilmerth was born on Aug. 29, 1930, in Hot Lake,
Oregon, to Fred and Bessie (Horton) Bristow. She at-
tended Cove schools and married Floyd Bates when she
was 19. They were happily married for many years and
had three children and raised one grandson, Butch, and
one great-granddaughter, Kiauna.
Wilmerth worked as a cook for the Cove School Dis-
trict for many years. She was dearly loved and will be
greatly missed.
Wilmerth is survived by her children; son, Gene
Bates (Carla), of Union, Oregon, and their son, Eric;
daughter, Kathy Musick (Richard), of Cove, Oregon,
and their son, Allen, and his children; brother, Dean
Bristow (Betty), of Sacramento; grandson, Butch Fritz
(Jill) and their children and grandchildren of Pilot Rock,
Oregon; sister-in-law, Imie of Cove, Oregon, and her
children and grandchildren; many great- and great-great
grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by husband, Floyd;
daughter, Sylvia; grandchildren, Mark Anthony Fritz,
Amanda Schuldt and Caleb Musick; brothers, Elbert,
Briss, Oral and Wayne and sisters, Lena and Zina.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.
Michael Stevenson
July 27, 1967 - January 30, 2022
“Character comes out in adversi-
ty, and he was a beacon to everyone
as he bravely dealt with what would
have defeated a lesser soul.” - John
Stevenson
Michael Ray Stevenson entered
the world on July 27, 1967, in Es-
condido, California. He was the first
child born to his parents and first
grandson for both sides of the family.
He was joined by a brother, Daniel Robert, in 1970, and
sister, Sharon Rose, in 1974.
In 1976, the family packed up and moved to La Grande,
Oregon. Except for an occasional adventure, Mike would
spend most of his next 29 years there. The family lived in
a big, old farmhouse on 10 acres of land. There would be
a huge variety of animals around and Mike was always an
animal lover. He attended Greenwood Elementary School,
graduated from La Grande High School in 1985, and at-
tended EOSC part time.
He enjoyed fishing, bowling, softball and excelled in
racquetball. Football and baseball were also a passion
with favorite teams, including the Oregon Ducks and NFL
team, the Rams. There were many Cubs games attended
with Grandpa Kendall, his brother, and Uncle Joe at Wrig-
ley Field during visits to his mother’s hometown of Chica-
go. He loved music, with his favorite band being U2. He
finally got to attend one of their concerts with his brother
and son in 2011. Mike braved an Alaskan cruise in 2015
and delighted in seeing the glaciers and whales.
His two sons - Alex in 1992 and Garrett in 1998 - were
both born in La Grande. In November 2005 a life changing,
work-related accident occurred. Mike was left completely
and permanently disabled. After 1-1/2 years in hospitals
and rehab facilities, he would settle into a new home in
Gearhart, Oregon, to be nearer to family. There would be
many challenges over the next 16 years, which Mike faced
with extraordinary strength and courage. He never lost his
quick wit and sense of humor. In 2017, he welcomed a
grandson, Chevy Michael James Stevenson, in whom he
took great delight. He was loved deeply by his family and
cherished by many friends throughout the years. On Jan.
30, 2022, Mike’s body gave out, related to his ongoing
medical challenges; his spirit will live on forever.
Mike is survived by his parents, Stanley and Rosemary
Stevenson, Gearhart, Oregon; brother, Dan, Boise, Idaho;
sister, Sharon (Boty), Gearhart, Oregon; his son, Alex,
Seaside, Oregon; grandson, Chevy, Post Falls, Idaho. He
was a loving uncle to Noah, Springfield, Oregon; Gavin,
Gearhart, Oregon; and Vann, La Grande, Oregon. His
stepchildren, Kayla and Kyle, remember him fondly. He
is also survived by other family members and many loyal
friends. His family appreciated the dedicated caregivers
who provided help for Mike throughout the years. His lov-
ing yellow lab, Kirby, and felines, Dexter and Marley. He
was preceded in death by his son, Garrett Michael Steven-
son, on Jan. 9, 2022, and infant sister, Mary in 1968, and
his grandparents, Robert and Helen Kendall and John and
Lois Stevenson.
Donations can be made to the Providence Seaside
Hospital Foundation, or Columbia Memorial Hospice in
Mike’s memory. Please visit www.hughesransom.com to
sign our online guestbook and for direct links to make do-
nations in Michael’s honor.