Wednesday,February24,2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
7
OBITUARIES
PA I D N O T I C E S
Butch Gehrig
Six years ago, Rudy “Butch” Gehrig was di-
agnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration.
It is a dementia that attacks the brain and the
body. He tried very hard to keep doing what
he loved and never complained. His body
finally wore out on Feb. 15, 2021.
Butch was born Nov. 28, 1956, and was
64 years of age at the time of his passing.
Butch Gehrig Butch may have been born at the Hood River
Memorial Hospital, but from there after, he
wanted it known he was from Odell. Butch was the sixth of
nine children born to Rudy and Margaret Gehrig. He was
right in the middle of six sisters, with his two brothers being
the eldest. He had a great childhood, playing with his siblings,
cousins and friends who became life-long buddies. He gradu-
ated in 1975 and enjoyed every reunion.
In 1976, a 16-year-old girl caught his eye. He and Patricia
Farley had their first date in a car they still own, Butch’s 1966
Chevelle Beaumont. He told her he thought he would scare
her off if he brought his ‘55 Chevy. May 22, 1982, Butch and
Patricia married surrounded by hundreds of family and
friends.
In 1981, his father retired and turned the reins of Gehrig’s
Chevron over to Butch. With Patricia as bookkeeper and
Butch doing what he loved best, they have had a great 40
years serving the community he loved.
Service to the community was very important to Butch.
He judged many Boy Scout cake contests. He served on the
Odell Sanitary District Board for 32 years. Butch also served
23 years on the Hood River Electric Co-op board, the last few
as the board president. He was on the Leadership Committee
at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a lifetime member of St.
Mary’s Catholic Church.
Butch is survived by his wife, Patricia Gehrig, sons Joe
Gehrig and Paco Salazar, brother, five sisters, nieces, neph-
ews, cousins and many, many friends. He loved them all
dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dan
and sister Jenni.
A viewing was held Sunday, Feb. 21 at Anderson's Tribute
Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River and a private Catholic
Funeral Mass was held Monday, Feb. 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church, 1501 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Butch’s service
was live streamed and the link can be accessed at www.
AndersonsTributeCenter.com; there is also an interactive
guestbook here for memories to be shared with family.
A public committal service will be at St. Mary’s Catholic
Cemetery Tuesday, Feb. 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery,
1501 Belmont Ave., Hood River.
Donations can be made to the Wy’East Fire District,
Hospice of the Gorge or The Association for Frontotemporal
Degeneration.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to access guest-
book and webcast links.
1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, Ore. Visit www.
AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence
for the family.
Ernest “Norman” Bennett
Ernest “Norman” Bennett of The Dalles,
Ore., died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at home, sur-
rounded by his family. Norman was born May
1, 1926, in Spennymoor, England, to Ernest
and Olive (Messenger) Bennett. He had two
siblings, an older sister Jean and a younger
brother Brian. Norman attended 14 years of
school prior to going to work full time to help
support his family during World War II.
Ernest
Norman immigrated to the United States
"Norman"
in 1952, settling in the Bay area. He married
Bennett
Edith Hildebrand in 1955 in Oakland, Calif.
They had three children, Pamela Jean, Carol Susan, and Bruce
Norman. Norman worked as the operations manager for
Radiant Chemical of Oakland for 24years. He retired in 1988
and he and Edith moved to Murdock, Wash., in 1990. Edith
passed away from breast cancer in March 2000.
Norman married Dorothy Sharpe of The Dalles on Jan. 5,
2002. They were active members of Gateway Church. Norman
served with Habitat for Humanity and also led and participat-
ed regularly in Al-Anon meetings in The Dalles.
Norman is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his sister Jean,
and brother Brian; his children, Pamela and her husband
Peter, Carol and her husband Graham, and his son Bruce; his
grandchildren, Andrea and Nolan; and great-grandchildren,
Chelsea and Maverick. He is also survived by his stepchildren,
Cheryl and her husband Scott, and Scott and his wife Sally;
and step-grandchildren Andrew and his wife Helen, and
Allison; and step great-grandchildren, Ashton and Natalie.
A viewing was held Feb. 19 at Anderson’s Tribute Center
• Celilo Chapel, The Dalles. A graveside service will be held
at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Lyle-Balch Cemetery,
65-105 Balch Road, Lyle, Wash. The memorial service will
be private due to COVID restrictions; however, it will be live
streamed. To watch online, go to www.gatewaypc.org.
If interested, donations can be made to Heart of Hospice,
The Dalles, or Gateway Church in Norman's name, c/o
Anderson’s Tribute Center, 204 E. Fourth St., The Dalles, OR
97058.
Arrangements are under the direction of
Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel. Visit www.
AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence
for the family.
Kathryn Cogswell
Kathryn (Kathy) Louise Hammond
Cogswell passed away peacefully in Port
Townsend, Wash., on Wednesday, Feb. 10,
2021. She squeezed in maximum mileage
Patrick Wilson
during her 77 years. Kathy’s journey began
in Tucson, Ariz., born to Kathryn Louise and
Patrick Wilson was born on Dec. 5, 1952,
William Ira Hammond on May 28, 1943. She
and died of COVID-19 on Feb. 10, 2021. He
graduated from Tucson High, then attended
leaves his mother, Alice Wilson, and siblings
University of Arizona, where she majored
Nancy Wilson Waters of Hood River, Ore., and
Kathryn
in English, and pledged Kappa Alpha Theta.
Robert Wilson of Goldendale, Wash.; and a
Cogswell
During these years, Kathy modeled and
niece, nephews, aunts and cousins. He leaves
served on the Queen’s Court in the 1963 El Paso Texas Sun
a special friend Tad, with whom he spent
Bowl.
53 years. Adult Learning Systems of Oregon
That year, she began dating and soon married Jim Cogswell.
cared for both of them and also mourn his
Patrick Wilson loss. Services will be private.
They left Tucson for Denver, Colo., where daughters Carrie
and Kathleen (Kat) were born. The family later returned to
Denver after a two-year interlude in Port Hueneme, Calif.
Norma Baskins
(where Kathy began the first U.S. Naval Base’s recycling
program).
Norma Jean Baskins, age 94, passed away
In 1973, the Cogswells, three pets, and a U-Haul full of
of natural causes at Flagstone Assisted Living
plants landed in The Dalles, Ore., for Jim’s radiology practice.
in The Dalles, Ore., on Feb. 18, 2021. Norma
Kathy filled her decades in the Columbia River Gorge with
was born Dec. 30, 1926, in Wichita, Kan., to
deep friendships, family, and style. Kathy not only saw beauty
William and Virginia (Vergie) Himes.
in fine works of art, but also in patterns of leaves, pinecones,
When Norma was 13, her family moved
and stacked firewood. She and Jim designed and built “Quail
to the Hood River Valley. Her father was a
Acre” at 1420 E. 16th St., then moved to “Larkspar Mountain”
mechanic and he found lots of work in Hood
in Rowena, once the girls graduated high school.
River,
and
they
bought
a
farm
on
York
Hill
Norma
Kathy impressed all she met with her intellect, wit and
Road. She met Floyd (Tiny) Baskins after he
Baskins
beauty — her uncanny ability to see and seek good in the
came back from service in the Navy during
world. A true Gemini, she fought fiercely to defend her truth
World War II, and they were married on Nov. 23, 1947. Floyd
and Norma made their home in Odell and had four children, and ideals. She saw the ludicrous in the mundane, sharing
Floyd Jr., twins Connie and Ronnie, and Bill. They purchased those insights with her infectious laugh. Generous to a fault,
a gas station in Odell that they ran together while raising their she gifted personal treasurers at the hint of need — leaving
material items in her wake.
four children. In 1971, they bought an orchard, “the ranch”
Kathy loved all animals and children. She served as one
Norma called it. While helping in the orchard — thinning,
of the original “story ladies” at The Wasco County Library.
driving tractor, and bookkeeping — she also packed pears at
She volunteered her vision and artistry to create extravagant
Stadelman Fruit Company.
Norma and Tiny enjoyed many years camping, fishing and sets for The Ballet House productions. Her grandchildren
remember “Mamama” reading them her favorites (e.g., “The
hunting with family and friends. She loved life on the “the
Snowy Day”), making turkey table settings for Thanksgiving,
ranch” and spending time with her family.
polishing nails, learning games, and solving puzzle challenges
She was preceded in death by her sister, Lauretta, her par-
faster than they could invent them.
ents, her husband and her sisters-in-law, Nancy and Velma.
A student of the world, from 1996 on, Kathy’s wander-
She is survived by her older brother, Harvey, and her
younger brother, Billie; her sons Floyd (Janet) Baskins Jr., Ron ing spirit carried her to Astoria, Ashland, Boston, Carmel,
(Louella) Baskins, Bill (Debi) Baskins, and daughter Connie
Camino Island, Santa Fe, Nordland and finally to Port
(Frank) Rose; grandchildren Kathi (Jody) Sparks, Bobbi Lynn Townsend, Wash. She devoured volumes — exploring philos-
Baskins (Mary Brennock), Larry Baskins, Mark (Melanie)
ophy, Christianity, art, and history — and could quote each
Baskins, Ronnie (Natalie) Baskins, Hydie (Lenny) Kazel,
at length after one reading. Her thirst for knowledge led her
Brandi Baskins, Jerry Baskins, Jennifer (Kenneth) Rober,
to Dartmouth College and Harvard University for courses in
Christine (Charles) Heisler, Kellie (Scott) Hughes, Trish
writing and design. She loved movies and musicals, and the
(Mark) Preston, and Brian (Julie) Baskins; 18 great-grandchil- spirit of Christmas the most.
Kathy ended her journey looking out over the Port
dren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Townsend Harbor and her beloved Puget Sound. She finally
The family wishes to thank the staff at Flagstone Assisted
Living, Hospice of the Gorge and Dr. Buser at Summit Family found the peace she always sought. Kathy will be close in
the hearts of those who love her, despite the distance, just as
Medicine for taking care of Norma.
always.
Per Norma’s wishes, there will be no service.
She is survived by one brother; daughters, Carrie and Kat;
Donations can be made in her name to the Wy’East Fire
Department. Norma always appreciated the men and women and four grandchildren. No service is scheduled. Please send
who would come and help when they were called. She would memories and condolences to 1897 Riverview St, Eugene OR,
97403. Donations in Kathy’s memory can be made to Friends
say she had known most of them since they were kids.
of the Columbia River Gorge.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's
Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations),
EVOLUTION: BIOLOGICALLY IMPOSSIBLE #22
Blood. It is called the life of the flesh because of the many necessary
functions it performs in the body. Blood and the many organs in the
body that contain the blood are one biological system known as the
circulatory system. As stated before we must actually choke down the
very challenging idea that the many organs in the body that include this
circulatory system evolved in a convenient organized order. Did the first
animal without blood just have a heart evolve in its body waiting for the
blood to evolve? Or are we to “believe” that the very first creature that did
not have blood or a heart gave birth to offspring that had both? The other
difficulty we see about biological systems is that they work together in
the body. We have a respiration system to which is the means of how we
breathe. Now take this system on its own and there are many organs here
also. The difficulty is that the two systems work together so we can exist.
The oxygen we need is brought into the body by the respiration system,
the nose or mouth then into the lungs. In the lungs the blood picks up the
oxygen and sends it throughout the body to energize it. The two systems
work together. Is it possible that these two systems could evolve over
millions of years by chance random mutations in order for both to allow a
living body to function? It would almost seem as if these mutations had
to occur with much convenience and coordination. Very strange.
g.d. fischer | zionman@netcnct.net | 541-296-8578
Home is where
you
feel it.
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Respite Care
541-298-5656
3325 Columbia View Dr., The Dalles
FlagstoneSeniorLiving.com
Thomas Foley
Thomas Edward Foley passed away at his
home Feb. 13, 2021, with his four children
by his side. He was born on Feb. 12, 1928,
in the Foley House on Fourth Street in The
Dalles, Ore., formerly known as The Colonial
Building. He was the youngest of five children
to parents Pat and Mercedes Foley. His father
had moved the family from La Grande to The
Thomas Foley Dalles in 1920 and purchased Hotel Dalles,
where The Dalles Inn is located today.
Some of Tom’s early work experience started at the family’s
Foley Lakes Dairy at the age of 13 or 14. He started his own
business career in the restaurant industry, launching the
original Dairy Queen at Fourth and Union Streets in 1953.
Through his career, he owned a number of burger and ice
cream places, including the Irish Treat, where Big Jim’s is
today, and the Hand-Out, now the home of Holstein’s Coffee.
He also owned restaurants in Hood River. He enjoyed feeding
people and frequently brought his grill to local parades,
rodeos, fairs and livestock shows, where he served the famous
“Hefty Henry” sandwich.
In 1966, Tom built Spooky’s Pizza, which he and his family
owned and operated until 1984. He leased the restaurant
to other pizza companies until 1999, when Bob and Joana
Stanek leased the business, revived the original name, and
brought back many of Spooky’s original menu items, includ-
ing the “Hefty Henry.”
In 1954, Tom met Marjory Claire Bush, a junior high and
high school English teacher, whom he married on Oct. 3,
1954. Tom and Marjory raised four children while being
actively involved in many civic organizations. Tom was
president of the local chamber of commerce when he helped
convince the board to change the name from The Dalles to
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the
role of rural agriculture in the community’s economy. He
was a longtime Kiwanis member and to this day, they hold
weekly meetings at Spooky’s. He also coached Little League,
and served on the city planning commission and the school
board.
Tom was an active member of the Catholic Church in The
Dalles. He was one of the original individuals who helped
save Old St. Peter’s Landmark, serving as vice president on
that board for a number of years. He was a board member
of the local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which
seeks to help people in need.
Tom and Marjory purchased a cherry orchard in The Dalles
in 1981 and expanded the orchard to Dallesport, Wash., in
1984. In the orchard off season, he and Marjory enjoyed travel
and took many cruises around the world.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Marjory who died
Jan. 14, 2021. He is survived by sons, Tim (Wendy) of Hood
River, Bill of White Salmon, John (Sheri) of Dallesport, and
Annette Byers of The Dalles; three grandsons, Clint Foley
(Kelley) of Eugene, Grayson Byers (Shelby) of Stanfield and
Tanner Byers of Bend; and three great-grandchildren, Dylan
and Ruby Foley of Eugene and Hays Byers of Stanfield.
The family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to
Heart of Hospice and Bobbi’s Way for the great care and
compassion they extended to Tom and his family. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggest donations be sent to Old St. Peter’s
Landmark or St. Vincent de Paul. A celebration of life will be
held for Tom and Marjory Foley at a future time.
A Rosary will be held 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at Spencer,
Libby & Powell Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held
for Tom Foley at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at St. Peter’s Catholic
Church in The Dalles.
Helen Kochel
Helen Kochel
Helen Dickie (Clow) Kochel passed away
quietly on Jan. 22, 2021, on Bainbridge Island,
Wash., just a few weeks after celebrating
her 100th birthday. Helen was born Dec. 1,
1920, in Lyonsbrook, Nova Scotia, Canada.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's
Episcopal Church in The Dalles, Ore., at a
later date.
Obituaries continued on page 8.
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