Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Chronicle : Creswell & Cottage Grove. (Creswell, Ore.) 2019-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 2020)
4 — THE CHRONICLE community Sidney Harry Cooke Jr. Dec. 29, 1947-March 23, 2020 Sid Cooke, Jr., of Creswell passed away March 23, 2020, at the age of 72. Sid was born Dec. 29, 1947, to Sidney Hellings Cooke, Sr. and Georgia B. Lytle, one of four children. Sid leaves behind his son Sid Cooke, III (Sheri) and his two grandchildren Blake and Kyleigh. He loved to come and watch Blake play baseball and supported Kyleigh in her volleyball games anytime he could. Sid also leaves behind his older sister, Nancy Cooke, and his nephews Shane Tennison (Jennifer) and James Tennison (Bambie). Sid’s mother Georgia, Father Sid, Sr., younger brother John Cooke and his younger sister Lorraine predeceased him. He will be missed dearly. Thank you for all the great memories -- to the one we call Dad, Grandpa, son, uncle, and brother!!! Lora Lee Jensen April 23, 1936 — March 21, 2020 Lora Lee Jensen, also known as “Lori”, of Cottage Grove, OR passed away peacefully in late afternoon on March 21, 2020 with her family nearby, and with the warmth of spring sunshine and fresh garden air at her opened patio door. She was 83 years old. The staff at Pete Moore Hospice House in Eugene provided care and comfort during her final days. She received visits from her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Mary Storaasli; grand-daugh- ters, Hannah and Amanda Storaasli; g reat-g ra ndd aug ht er s, Helen a nd Amelia; and their sweet labrador named Sage. All seven had just arrived via auto- mobile from Austin, Texas. Daughter, Jeri Carson, of Cottage Grove also got to spend precious final moments with her best friend that she called “mom.” Lora Lee was born April 23, 1936 in Kalispell, Mont. to parents Harry and Hazel Hoiland. She joined two older sisters, Shirley and Carol, complet- ing the Hoiland family of five. As the youngest in her family, she enjoyed a privileged and carefree childhood in a small town, attending public schools, and forming important early friendships that she nourished carefully and main- tained throughout her lifetime even after moving miles away in later years. Her capacity for loving others uncondition- ally, and for cherishing the uniqueness of every individual, was certainly a key trait. Devoutly Christian, her parents had shared with her their deep faith in God. Her mother was the pianist for the local Assembly of God church so this pretty much guaranteed Lora Lee would attend church and Sunday School on Sunday mornings, Sunday evening church, Wednesday prayer meetings, revival meetings, and church camps. She learned that the most important of all Jesus’ teachings was that we should “Love One Another.” Indeed, she exem- plified that ideal for her entire lifetime. Observant, sharp, and sensitive to those needing compassion or help with life struggles, Lora Lee always sought and found many opportunities to help ease others’ pain and suffering wherever she could. In 1952, Lora Lee Hoiland married her high-school sweetheart, a local boy named Dale Storaasli. Together they had a 1950s family of young “baby-boom- ers”, and they remained mostly in the THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 TRIBUTES town of Kalispell, in Montana’s Flathead Valley near Glacier National Park. Dale and Lora Lee were blessed with four children that they named Mark, Jeri, Victor and Harry. Her first marriage lasted over nineteen years. Then, she found herself facing new challenges as a single mom of teen- age children at Silver Strand Beach in Ventura County, Calif. It was a big change. She had loved being a stay-at- home-mom in Montana, but she had to accept the reality of being on her own for the first time in her life. Determination to succeed and a strong work ethic helped her to build a new life where she very capably supported her children. She went back to college, and she began a long career working for the State of California, initially as a Psychiatric Technician at Camarillo State Hospital. Later, she moved into higher manage- ment as a Nursing Coordinator at Agnews State Hospital in northern California where she worked until her retirement. A second brief marriage in the San Francisco Bay area to Samuel Brannen was happy but ended just a little over a year later when Sam died young, stricken by a heart attack. Her third marriage in 1982 to Phillip Jensen in Fremont, CA was much longer and a joyful endeavor for both. Since Phil had children previ- ously with his first wife during the same years that “Lori” had been having her own children, their children were almost all grown and gone. Over the next 33 years together until Phil’s death in 2015, they had adventures abroad, enjoyed museums, attended art and music events, acquired treasures at garage sales, and just generally enjoyed life keeping busy with multiple interests and hobbies at home, particularly after moving to Cottage Grove in 1999. Lora Lee is survived by her son Mark and his family, her daughter Jeri, and many nieces and nephews in addition to the much-loved and large blended-ex- tended family she acquired during her marriage to Phillip Jensen. Lora Lee was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, her son Victor, her son Harry, and her late-husband Phil. A memorial gathering has not been planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of flowers, Lora Lee’s family suggests that perhaps a donation to NAMI Lane County, or to South Lane Mental Health, or to any worthy charity of one’s choice would be appropriate in honor of this wonderful woman. Lora Lee Jensen will be remembered fondly and missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Richard V. Vargas Jan. 15, 1931 - March 23, 2020 Our father, Richard V. Vargas, age 89, went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2020. He was born on a sugarcane plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii on Jan. 15, 1931, the sixth of eight children born to John and Tomacia Vargas. He gradu- ated from Pittsburgh High School in 1949 and imme- diately joined the United States Navy. He served as an Electrician’s Mate P Second Class aboard the U.S.S. Jason during the Korean confl ict, and loved his time traveling Japan. He ma r r ied Ma r y Rodrigues on April 10, 1954. The couple were together for almost 66 years. For 30 he worked as a tele- communications installer for AT&T and was proud of his crew’s record for earning high effi ciency marks. The job combined physical and mental work, building the phone system when cables, switches, and relays were housed in a physical plant. Many of his colleagues became life-long friends. He divided his life between Hayward, California and Cottage Grove. As a Hawaiian-born Puerto Rican, he was very proud of his heritage. The unique music, food, and customs of Puerto Rico blended beautifully with Hawaiian culture. Richard was a believer in the King James Bible, a proud member of The American Legion, and an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Vargas; four chil- dren Jamie Vargas (Diane), David Vargas (Richelle), Marita Vargas, and Laurie Hammond (Scott); 13 grand- children; 1 great-grand- child; three sisters, Priscilla Maschek, Libby Luxemberg and Marilyn Sanchez; a large number of nieces and nephews. Details for a memorial service at Cottage Grove Bible Church will be announced later. Glendon Geil Donald R. Stacey May 14, 1933 - March 22, 2020 April 15, 1941 - April 2, 2020 Glendon Geil passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home on the beau- tiful McKenzie River on March 22, 2020. Glen was born May 14, 1933, in Albany to Paul and Beryl (Nordyke) Geil. He was raised in the Salem-Keizer area and lived in Springfield for many years. His career as a banker spanned 39 years. Glendon was married to Sidney Knox for 52 years until her death in 2003 and in 2006 married Jan Wellette. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one sister, three children, one stepson, six grandchildren, three step grandchildren and a total of sixteen great grandchildren. The family is thankful the Lord allowed Glen time to say goodbye to friends, neighbors and family. He welcomed then all and shared his special style of humor and love of Jesus until God called him home. Jeremiah 17:7, 8. A memorial is planned at a later time. Donald Robert Stacey passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 2, 2020 at his home in Albany at the age of 78 following a four-year strug- gle with lung cancer. Don was born April 15, 1941 in Cottage Grove. He graduated from Cottage Grove High, worked for the American Plywood Association for 35 years and retired in 2003. Don married his wife and best friend, Shirley, on Dec. 10, 2001. They enjoyed hunting, fi shing and trav- eling to Arizona in their motorhome where they spent time riding their ATV. Don is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Cindy Abbott (Mark); step- children George Nylen, Kim Nylen, Michelle Nylen and Dusten Slocum; grand- sons Luke Abbott (McKell) and Jake Abbott (Cody); and great grandson, Boone Abbott. He was expecting a second great grandson, Bruer Abbott, in May 2020. A private service will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Eugene. The Columbarium at Creswell Pioneer Cemetery is located just west of town. Situated in a beautiful historic cemetery surrounded by Pacific Madrone and towering old growth Douglas Fir. Constructed of solid granite, each private compartment fits up to two urns and is complimented by a solid-cast name plate and optional vase. The Columbarium provides a simple, lasting tribute for family, friends and generations to come. Creswellcolumbarium.com 123 S. 7th St. | Cottage Grove, OR 97424 541-942-0185 • smithlundmills.com
