RECORDS
Thursday, augusT 11, 2022
ThE OBsErVEr — A5
DEATH & SERVICE NOTICES
Gary L. Ainsworth
Formerly of La Grande
Gary Lynn Ainsworth, 67, of Rapid City, South
Dakota, and formerly of La Grande, died Aug. 7, 2022.
A graveside service will be held Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at Mt.
View Cemetery in Rapid City. Arrangements are by
Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City.
Daniel Aschenbrenner
Enterprise
Daniel Aschenbrenner, 73, of Enterprise, died Aug.
7, 2022. At this time no services are planned. Arrange-
ments are by Bollman Funeral Home, Enterprise.
Kenneth Webb
Union
Kenneth Webb, 90, of Union, died Aug. 8, 2022, at
Grande Ronde Hospital. Arrangements are by Dan-
iels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration
Center, La Grande.
City of La grande/Contributed Photo
The 2022 City of La Grande Summer Beautification Award for a residence went to Randal and Ila Rock, 708 S. 20th St.
Neighbors on 20th Street win
summer beautification awards
The Observer
MORE INFORMATION
LA GRANDE — Jen-
esis Salon was selected
for the 2022 City of La
Grande Summer Beauti-
fication Award for a com-
mercial property. The busi-
ness owner, Jodi Hafer, has
operated the salon at 710
20th St. since 2015.
The combination of
beautiful container plant-
ings, colorful awnings,
a decorative bench and
attractive signage creates a
welcoming entryway.
“My employee Jenny
Coles starts all the flowers
from seed,” said Hafer.
Coles also starts the
plants for the salon’s next-
door neighbors, Randal and
Ila Rock, winner of this
summer’s residential beau-
tification award. The Rocks
have lived in their home
City of La grande/Contributed Photo
Jenesis Salon, 710 S. 20th St., was selected for the 2022 City of La
Grande Summer Beautification Award for a commercial property.
near the corner of Adams
Avenue and 20th Street
since 1968.
The lovingly main-
tained home and front
yard, at 708 20th St., pro-
vide the backdrop for
lavish hanging baskets and
containers that create an
oasis of color.
“Chicken manure com-
post is the key” to beautiful
flowers, according to the
Rocks, “along with regular
watering and deadheading.
We enjoy the gardening.”
The purpose of the Beautifica-
tion Awards Program is to rec-
ognize residential and com-
mercial properties that add to
the beauty and diversity of La
Grande’s environment. Nomi-
nations for this award are made
by members of the La Grande
Landscape and Forestry Com-
mission, city employees, and
citizens. The awards are given
seasonally; spring, summer and
fall. The award criteria includes
landscaping that integrates
color, texture, seasonal diversity
and appropriate use of hard-
scapes and space; landscaping
that promotes resource conser-
vation, wildlife habitat and/or
food production; and owners
who have overcome special cir-
cumstances. To submit nom-
inations for the fall beautifi-
cation awards, email trees@
cityolagradnde.org or call the
Urban Forestry Division at
541-663-1952.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
MEETINGS
• LA GRANDE — The La
Grande Swim Club will hold
its annual general meeting on
Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at
Pioneer Park next to the pool.
Any questions can be directed to
the club president, Beth Koza, at
541-910-0625.
• UNION — The Union Rural
Fire Protection District Board will
have its monthly board meeting
on Tuesday, Aug. 16, beginning
at 7 p.m. at the fire hall. For more
information, call 541-910-3114 or
email union.rfpd@outlook.com.
BRIEFS
Community invited to end-of-
summer barbecue
LA GRANDE — Grande Ronde
Retirement, 1809 Gekeler Lane,
La Grande, is hosting an end-of-
summer barbecue for the commu-
nity on Saturday, Aug. 13, from
2-6 p.m. All are welcome to come
enjoy the food and games. There
will also be a beer garden and live
music.
Bentz town hall happens today
at Eastern Oregon University
LA GRANDE — U.S. Rep. Cliff
Bentz, R-Ontario, will be in Union
County for a town hall meeting on
Thursday, Aug. 11. The town hall
will run from 1:30-
2:30 p.m. at Eastern
Oregon Universi-
ty’s Huber Audito-
rium in Badgley Hall.
The news release from
Bentz stated, “Town
Bentz
halls allow me to hear
what you are passionate about and
help me stay connected to you.”
Play pinochle in La Grande
on Fridays at senior center
Wallowa History Center
hires coordinator
LA GRANDE — A chaperoned
trip organized by La Grande Parks &
Rec to the Pendleton Aquatic Center is
slated for Saturday, Aug. 20. The day
trip is open to ages 7 and older, with
or without an adult. The bus leaves
at 11 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Cost
is $20 per person and includes entry
and transportation. Bring a lunch or
money for the concession stand. Reg-
istration opens Aug. 13 and concludes
Aug. 17. This will be the last trip of the
summer. For full details and to reserve
your seat, go to https://secure.rec1.
com/OR/la-grande-or/catalog or call
541-962-1352
WALLOWA — Sadie Kennedy
has been hired as the new devel-
opment and operations coordinator
for the Wallowa History Center,
according to a press release.
Kennedy comes after practicing
law in Wallowa and Union counties.
She will handle the
administrative duties
of the center and will
be available to greet
visitors there during its
open hours.
Starting Thursday,
Aug. 4, the hours for
Kennedy
the center are 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m., Thursday, Friday and
Saturday.
For more information, call Mar-
ilyn Hulse at 541-886-4701 or the
center at 541-886-8000, email wall-
histcenter@gmail.com or go online
to http://www.wallowahistory.org/
or the center’s Facebook page.
LA GRANDE — Pinochle games
happen every Friday at the Union
County Senior Center, 1504 N.
Albany St., La Grande, beginning
at 6 p.m. The games are open to the
public.
One more chance to go on trip
to Pendleton Aquatic Center
Bank of Eastern Oregon
organizes school supply drive
NORTHEASTERN OREGON —
Bank of Eastern Oregon is collecting
school supplies for area grade schools.
Drop off donations at BEO branches,
including in La Grande and Enterprise.
— The Observer
PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT
MONDAY, AUG. 8
9:42 a.m. — La Grande police responded to the 2200 block of Cove Avenue on a
call about a disturbance. Officers gave one person a ride from the scene.
2:53 p.m. — A caller reported someone left a dog in a vehicle on the 500 block of
M Avenue, La Grande. An animal enforcement officer made contact.
3:18 p.m. — La Grande police received a report of a person walking in the road at
Fourth Street and N Avenue, La Grande. Officers responded and counseled the
subject.
7:29 p.m. — A caller reported a indecent exposure on the 1100 block of Jefferson
Avenue, La Grande. An officer made contact and took a report.
8:04 p.m. — A Union County sheriff’s deputy responded to the Elgin Community
Center, 260 N. 10th Ave., Elgin, on a report of a disturbance. The deputy talked to
the people involved and will follow up.
10 p.m. — A caller reported loud music coming from a vehicle at Imbler High
School, Sixth Street and Esther Avenue, Imbler. A Union County sheriff’s deputy
responded and found youths were playing basketball and said they would keep
it down.
TUESDAY, AUG. 9
3:39 p.m. — A caller reported a burglary at Pinehurst Apartments, 1502 21st St.,
La Grande. An officer responded and took a report.
5:44 p.m. — La Grande police responded to a domestic disturbance on the 1300
block of Z Avenue. Police arrested a 29-year-old man for second-degree criminal
mischief and disorderly conduct.
6:03 p.m. — A caller reported a downed tree on Pumpkin Ridge Road and
Courtney Lane, Summerville.
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11:02 a.m. — La Grande police responded to Grande Woods Apartments, 2005
Gekeler Lane, on a call about a disturbance. The parties separated.
12:33 p.m. — A caller on the 1500 block of Baltimore Street, Elgin, called for help
with a stuck dog. An animal enforcement officer responded.
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UPCOMING
LOCAL
SERVICES
Aug. 12 — SCOTT CHARON: 1 p.m. graveside
service, Island City Cemetery.
Aug. 13 — BILLY NORMAN: 10 a.m. military
graveside service, Enterprise Cemetery.
Aug. 13 — ED BOTZ: 1 p.m. celebration of life
and potluck, Rockwall Grange, Elgin.
Aug. 20 — DORIAN ‘DORN’ COX: 2 p.m. grave-
side service, Union Cemetery (casual dress preferred);
a barbecue follows at Georgia Cox’s home.
Aug. 27 — DICK DECKERT: 2 p.m. memorial
service, Cove United Methodist Church.
Sept. 3 — NYLE ROLLINS: 1 p.m. celebration of
life, Fred Beeman Park, Island City.
Sept. 4 — JEFF BOND: 1 p.m. celebration of life,
Lone Hawk Ranch, 57899 Highway 237, Union.
Sept. 10 — THORVAL BURROWS: 2 p.m. cele-
bration of life, Wallowa Senior Center.
Sept. 10 — LELAND ‘LEE’ FRIES: 11 a.m.
graveside service, Summerville Cemetery (casual dress
preferred).
— Calendar courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande
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DEATH NOTICE • Free of charge • 150-word maximum in newspaper content style
Richard (Dick) Roy Deckert
October 24, 1941 - July 26, 2022
Richard (Dick) Roy Deckert,
80, of Union, passed away Tuesday,
July 26, 2022 at his residence.
Dick’s memorial service will be
at the United Methodist Church in
Cove, Oregon, on Saturday, Aug.
27, 2022 at 2 p.m.
Richard was born on Oct. 24,
1941 in Dubuque, Iowa, to Charles
and Alice Deckert. He lived in
many different places: Dubuque, Iowa; Minneapolis,
Minnesota; and La Crosse, Wisconsin, before settling
in Union, Oregon. Dick attended schools in Dubuque,
Iowa. After graduating from Dubuque High School he
attended the Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He married Bonigene
Johnson in 1963, and they had three children: Tim, Rick
and Sarah. They later divorced in 1977.
Dick later met and married Cathleen (Cathy)
Hostrawser in 1979, his loving wife of 43 years. They
had two daughters, Becky Arroyo and Jennifer McBride.
Dick was an orderly at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque,
Iowa, before attending nursing school. He was employed
at St. Joseph Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin, until
it closed. He served in the U.S. Army as a member of
the Nursing Corps in Vietnam from 1966-67; he was
then employed at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital until he
moved to La Grande. Dick worked for Grande Ronde
Hospital for 16 years; his nursing career was dedicated
to working in the operating room.
Dick enjoyed gardening, wood working, refinishing
furniture, singing, antiquing and playing euchre. He
was an avid reader and supporter of the Union Library.
He never met a tool he didn’t like! Dick was a member
of the Union/Cove Methodist Churches.
Dick is survived by his wife, Cathy; children, Becky
(José) Arroyo of Boise, Idaho, Jennifer (Kevin) McBride
of Union, Oregon, Tim Deckert of Aurora, Oregon,
and Rick and Sarah Deckert of La Crosse, Wisconsin;
his brother, Fred Deckert of Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina; Randi DeMeerleer (friend and companion);
13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He
was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Alice
Deckert, and brothers John and Jim Deckert.
Dick’s family would like to thank Dr. Bronstein and
oncology staff; Grande Ronde Hospital; Dr. Conklin
and Heart and Home Hospice; and all the doctors and
nurses who took care of Dick during his journey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be
made to Friends of Union Carnegie Library, 182 N
Main St., Union, OR 97883 or Cove United Methodist
Church, 1800 Jasper St., Cove, OR 97824.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.