RECORDS
Thursday, March 3, 2022
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
house. There will be a pot-
• COVE — The Cove
Community Association
will meet Monday, March
7, at 6 p.m. at Founders
Hall on the Ascension
School campus. All res-
idents of the 97824 ZIP
code are welcome to join.
CCA is working on orga-
nizing the Cherry Fair,
developing a community
center and hosting fun
events and classes for the
Cove community.
Zoom participation
is also an option for the
meeting. Contact Nella
Mae Parks at 541-910-
4098 or nella.m.parks@
gmail.com for login
information.
• LA GRANDE — The
following La Grande City
Commissions are meeting
in March: The Community
Landscape and Forestry
Commission’s meeting is
on Tuesday, March 8. The
La Grande Arts Commis-
sion meets Wednesday,
March 9. And a meeting of
the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Commission is
on Thursday, March 10.
Each meeting begins at
5:30 p.m. and all are open
to the public. They will
be held online via Zoom.
To get a link, contact Stu
Spence, Parks and Recre-
ation director, at 541-962-
1348 or sspence@cityofla-
grande.org.
• LA GRANDE —
The La Grande Planning
Commission will meet at
6 p.m. Tuesday, March 8.
The agenda includes con-
sideration of an Airbnb
conditional use permit.
Community members may
attend the meeting through
electronic communication
via Zoom by request and
reservation only, and the
public hearing portion of
the meeting also will be
available via Zoom.
The meeting may be
viewed on Facebook Live
(go to www.facebook.
com/LaGrandeCityMan-
ager). Written comments
need to be received by
5 p.m. on the day of the
scheduled meeting and can
be emailed to mboquist@
cityoflagrande.org.
BRIEFS
Cove Sportsman Club
gathering includes
food, bingo
COVE — The Cove
Sportsman Club will meet
on Wednesday, March 9,
at 6:30 p.m. at the club-
after the live event. Visit
ThE OBsErVEr — A5
DEATH NOTICES
divide, responsibility,
FFA’s Laura Hendrickson wins laptop
from EOU SBDC
Floyd J. Canup
La Grande
Floyd J. Canup, 84, of La Grande, died March 2,
2022, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
Thomas R. Knowles
Union
Thomas R. Knowles, 78, of Union, died March 2,
2022, at a local care facility. Arrangements are by Love-
land Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande
Jacob D. Danforth
La Grande
Jacob Dewitt Danforth, 44, of La Grande, died Feb.
26, 2022, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Rich-
land, Washington. Arrangements are by Loveland
Funeral Chapel & Crematory, La Grande.
UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
EOu sBdc/Contributed Photo
Laura Hendrickson, a member of the La Grande FFA, won a laptop on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, at the
FFA district competition held at Eastern Oregon University, La Grande. The laptop was provided by
the EOU Small Business Development Center. “EOU SBDC is a strong supporter of youth, and this
includes members of the Future Farmers of America,” said Greg Smith, EOU SBDC director, in a press
release. “We want to congratulate all of the contest winners and the new officers which were elected
by their peers. We also thank the dedicated advisers who guide the future leaders of our country.”
luck supper followed by a
meeting and bingo.
Short film series
concludes 2022 Big
Read
UNION, WALLOWA
COUNTIES — Events
centered around The
Big Read continue this
month, with activities
related to this year’s fea-
tured book, “The House
on Mango Street” by
Sandra Cisneros. Many
events are online and can
be accessed from any-
where — and streamed
fishtrap.org and artcen-
tereast.org to experience
all the 2022 Big Read has
to offer.
As a finale, a free vir-
tual film series goes live
March 4-8. The films are
inspired by “The House
on Mango Street” and are
presented in partnership
with the Wichita Public
Library. Curated by
mama.film, the series of
virtual screenings of short
films explore subjects
including identity and
belonging, the immigrant
experience, generational
gender, family, faith and
home. Their main char-
acters add depth and per-
spective to the story and
life of Esperanza Cordero,
the book’s protagonist.
Streamed online at
fishtrap. org and avail-
able for viewing after-
ward, the films are “El
Carrito,” “The Train Sta-
tion,” “Are You Still
There?,” “Her Dance” and
“Mano Santa.” To register
for the films and more
details, go to fishtrap.org/
tbr2022-finale/.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, FEB. 28
9:09 a.m. — La Grande police responded to Cook Memorial
Library, 2006 Fourth St., on a report of a drug law violation. Officers
trespassed the subjects.
12:29 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 500 block of
Washington Avenue on a complaint about fraud. An officer took
a report.
2:26 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1000 block of
Jackson Avenue on a report of juvenile disturbance. Officers coun-
seled the parties.
4:11 p.m. — La Grande police conducted a follow-up at the
address on the 500 block of Washington Avenue and arrested Jack-
son Gregory Beach, 29, for fraudulent use of a credit card and five
counts of second-degree burglary.
5:56 p.m. — A caller reported gunshots on the 2400 block
of Riddle Road, La Grande. Police determined the source of the
sounds was fireworks.
8 p.m. — A caller reported a physical fight on the 2000 block of
Third Street, La Grande. Officers responded, the parties separated
and the matter did not rise the the level of a mandatory arrest.
10:31 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the 1400 block of
Madison Avenue on a report of a possible trespass situation. Police
arrested Terry Higgins, 45, for violating a restraining order.
11:47 p.m. — A caller complained about a noise disturbance at
a residence on the 1400 block of Fourth Street, La Grande. An offi-
cer responded and counseled the subject.
TUESDAY, MARCH 1
9:05 a.m. — A resident on the 600 block of Second Street, Cove,
reported fraud. A Union County sheriff’s deputy made contact and
explained options.
10:01 a.m. — A caller reported animal neglect on the 2500
block of Second Street, La Grande. An animal enforcement officer
attempted contact and left a message.
12:41 p.m. — A resident on the 500 block of Fourth Street,
North Powder, reported an ongoing issue with loose dogs. An ani-
mal enforcement officer made contact.
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3:53 p.m. — A resident at Catherine Creek Mobile Manor, Union,
reported telephonic harassment. A Union County sheriff’s deputy
made contact and explained options.
6:09 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a sex crime.
An officer made contact, took a report and referred the matter to
detectives.
6:54 p.m. — La Grande police responded to the area of Island
and Adams avenues on a report of a driver who went through two
red lights. Officers caught the driver and counseled him for his
driving.
8:10 p.m. — A resident on the 1600 block of Carolyn Terrace,
Elgin, reported a subject was peeping in windows and throwing
things at the trailers. A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded
and took a report.
9:51 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy on the 1500 block
of N Avenue, La Grande, saw someone enter a residence through a
window. The deputy determined the person lived there.
Don Bert Abel
March 25, 1929 – February 25, 2022
Don Bert Abel, 92, of Cove, died Friday, Feb. 25, at a
care facility in La Grande. A service will begin Monday,
March 7, at 1 p.m. at the Summerville Cemetery Chap-
el. Committal and interment will follow. Arrangements
are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation &
Life Celebration Center of La Grande.
Don was born on March 25, 1929, in La Grande, the
son of Bert Franklin and Elvira (Arnoldus) Abel. Don
was raised and educated in the Grande Ronde Valley,
graduating with the LHS class of 1947.
For a short time Don worked on The Dalles Dam
and briefly for the city of La Grande. He worked as a
ranch hand and later owned a ranch at Weston. He was a
cowboy at heart in the true sense of the word. He loved
tending to the cattle and horses. Don finished his career
with Boise Cascade particleboard plant from which he
was forced to retire at the age of 80. Though he traveled
elsewhere for work he always considered the Grande
Ronde Valley his home.
Don was a solitary person and not at all impressed
or appreciative of modern conveniences. In his most re-
cent years he most enjoyed mowing the lawn.
Surviving relatives include his niece and caregiver,
Carmen McElroy, of La Grande; his daughter, Mart
Ann Rogers, of Roseburg; five grandchildren; three
great-grandchildren; a sister, Beverly “Ann” Abel of
Portland; and other relatives.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a
sister, Jean Bird.
March 4 and March 5 — WAYNE WILLIAMS:
Friday, 4 p.m. celebration of life, Presbyterian Friend-
ship Center, La Grande; Saturday, “Wayne’s Last
Sweep,” Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.
March 5 — MARJORIE “MIDGE” MINK:
10 a.m. Rosary followed by 10:15 a.m. Mass of Chris-
tian Burial, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church,
La Grande.
March 5 — DAVID KENNEDY: noon celebration
of life, Elgin Community Center.
March 7 — DON ABEL: 1 p.m. memorial service,
Summerville Cemetery Chapel; committal and inter-
ment follow.
March 11 — GEORGE RUSH: 10:30 a.m. memo-
rial service, Catherine Creek Community Center,
Union.
March 12 — DALTON JONES: 2 p.m. memorial
service, former Valley Fellowship Church building,
507 Palmer St., La Grande.
March 26 — JUDY HUNT: 3 p.m. celebration of
life, La Grande Seventh-day Adventist Church.
May 19 — ORVA MURRILL: 2 p.m. graveside
service, Union Victorian Cemetery.
Please follow guidelines regarding face coverings
and social distancing at gatherings. Calendar courtesy
of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande.
lagrandeobserver.com
Marjorie ‘Midge’ (Anderson) Mink
September 26, 1931 - February 25, 2022
Marjorie “Midge” (Anderson)
Mink, 90, of Ontario, Oregon,
passed away on Friday, Feb. 25,
2022, at her residence. A Rosary
will be held at Our Lady of the Val-
ley Catholic Church, La Grande, on
Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 10 a.m.
and the Mass of Christian Burial will
begin at 10:15 a.m. A Viewing will
be held at Loveland Funeral Chapel
on Friday, March 4, 2022, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Midge entered this world on Sept. 26, 1931, at home
in Galva, Iowa, the daughter of Pearl (Kasper) Zaklan
Anderson. The family moved to La Grande, Oregon, in
1938. Following her mother’s death in 1947, the children
were divided between the older siblings, and Midge went
to live with her older brothers, who had just come home
from the Navy. Under her brothers’ supervision, she often
found herself at the clubs. Midge was not a drinker, but it
was there she found her love for dancing.
Midge married the love of her life, Jim Mink, on Octo-
ber 14, 1950, after finishing high school. They welcomed
their only daughter, Merry Ann, on May 10, 1956. Jim’s
career with the Oregon State Police moved them to Asto-
ria, Oregon, where many memories were made with the
Fosters and Olstedts.
Midge and Jim found themselves back in La Grande,
Oregon, for the start of Merry’s junior year of high school.
Midge retired from Riveria School as a secretary. She
loved her career and children there, but she mostly loved
her dear friend Linda Kuchler. They called each other un-
biological sisters.
Midge loved life, and her greatest joy was being a
grandma. She went to all awards assemblies, sporting
events, graduations and made herself present in all family
activities. Midge always thought her grandchildren were
something to celebrate, and no one could tell her any dif-
ferent. She would come with baked goods to everything
she attended.
In 2003, Midge gained the title of GG by welcoming
her first two great-grandchildren just days apart. The title
of GG was probably her most favorite and she enjoyed ev-
ery minute with them. In total, Midge had six great-grand-
children. She was just as active in their lives as she was for
her grandchildren. She didn’t miss any event and was able
to see two graduate and help celebrate a wedding from
afar.
Midge talked daily to her sisters. Everyone knew what
everyone had going on because family was most import-
ant to her. Midge’s phone number was programmed to the
name of “Rocket” on her sister Charlotte’s phone, because
they talked so often to each other even though miles apart.
Midge was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl
Anderson; her husband, Jim Mink; her daughter, Merry
Ann McLean; and her seven brothers and sisters, Steven
(Jane) Zaklan, Mary (Floyd) Dominick, Jo (Jim) Waley,
Art (Ginger) Zaklan, Bob (Shirly) Zaklan, Chuck (Vel-
ma) Anderson and Janie (Jim) Carter; and brother-in-law,
Rienhold Hillner.
Midge leaves behind her sister, Charlotte Hillner; her
three grandchildren, Lucky (Breanna) McLean, Joy (Al-
vie) Barton and Melody McLean (Michael) Wigley; six
great-grandchildren, Brandon Barton, Reilly McLean,
Joycelyn (Derrick) Rothenberger, Chelsey McLean,
Lauchlan McLean and Hunter Wigley; and her sister at
heart, Linda Kuchler.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to
Joe’s Walk for Change, and Blue Mountain Humane As-
sociation, 3212 Hwy 30, La Grande, OR 97850.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.