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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2015)
www.hoodrivernews.com Hood River News, Wednesday, April 29, 2015 O BITS Continued from Page A5 Mary Covey Mary Martha (McAtee) Covey, 94, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015, at her home in Hood River, Ore. Services are planned for 2 p.m. T h u r s d a y, April 30, and friends are in- vited to join family during a time of visi- tation on We d n e s d ay, April 29 from 4-8 p.m. Both Mary’s ser- vice and time of viewing will be at An- derson’s Trib- Mary Covey ute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cre- mations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, Ore. Mary was born Sept. 26, 1920, on the family homestead in the beautiful Madison Val- ley of southwestern Montana near Ennis. She came as the third child and second daugh- ter of Edward Leonard and Dorothy (Doyle) McAtee. Mary was delivered by her fa- ther as the country doctor for the area was with another birth miles away. Two more brothers and another sister completed the family. She loved the out-of-doors and spent hours with her fam- ily and friends climbing the hills, riding her horse and searching for arrowheads and other treasures in her youth. In 1937 a man called “Okla- homa” arrived on the scene and captured her heart. Bur- ley Dow Covey and Mary Martha McAtee were married on her 17th birthday, Sept. 26, 1937, at the home of the Methodist minister in McAl- lister, Mont. Five children were born to this marriage; four daughters and a son. In the early years, they lived in various places in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oklahoma and back to Montana. She found her spot of Heaven, though, when they came to the Hood River Valley in 1956. With trees to trim, smudge posts to light, fruit to pick and pack and house to clean and paint, lawns to weed and mow, meals to nourish family and friends, and for a time, cook- ing for the Hood River Christ- ian School. For almost 60 years there was no stopping this en- ergetic woman. Mary was Grandma Covey to 15 grandchildren, 25 great- grandchildren, six great-great- grandchildren as well as many others who were nurtured by her care and hugs. Preceding her in death were her husband of 42 years; son Dean Covey; son-in-law Jim Edwards; two grandsons, Jimmy Bowlin and Jon Nor- man; her parents; three broth- ers: Leonard, Jim and Tom; and sister Alice Gecho. Mary is survived by her daughters, Jessie (Ted) Robert- son, of Provo, Utah, Dorothy (Chuck) Norman, of Parkdale, Ore., Mary Martha (Bob) Zeman, of Mt. Hood, Ore. and Becky (Don) Baldwin, of Hood River, Ore.; daughter-in-law Renee Covey Gaede, of Bend, Ore.; and sister Marjean Tezak, of Sheridan, Mont. The family would like to thank Mary’s caregivers: Katie Guzman and Teri Radliff, and all the others who gave such wonderful service. Please visit andersonstrib- utecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. Bette Benjamin Bette Ann Merz Benjamin’s vibrant and fruitful life began and was lived out in the beau- tiful Hood River Valley at the foot of Mount Hood. She passed gently from this life April 23, 2015, at her home in Parkdale, Ore., with her loving and dedicated hus- band Rick by her side, and is now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bette was bor n March 19, 1951, in the Hood River Hospital to Lewis and Janice Merz, Bette the youngest Benjamin of their seven children. The family lived at their fruit or- chard in view of beautiful Mount Hood where Bette had a wonderful childhood, grow- ing up as a country farm girl, surrounded by family, friends, and animals and developing a life-long appreciation of na- ture, birds and anything that could be grown. Bette’s exu- berant nature showed itself often through childhood ad- ventures such as the time she and her sisters brought a horse into the kitchen just to see what would happen; or since she was the youngest of seven, there was no big-girl bed available and at 7 years old she was still in the crib. Bette got tired of climbing in and out over the rails, so without asking, she got her dad’s saw and cut the side off the crib to make her own big-girl bed. She attended Parkdale Ele- mentary and Middle School and graduated from Wy’east High School in 1969. Through her school years, she partici- pated in numerous activities, including 4-H, Job’s Daugh- ters, cheerleading, gymnas- tics, tap and other forms of dance. After graduation, Bette left Parkdale to attend the Uni- versity of Oregon and gradu- ated with a degree in physical education and health in 1973. In the early 1980s she and Rick completed Master of the Arts degrees at Lewis and Clark College. Bette met Rick Benjamin in school in 1966 and they mar- ried in 1971. Bette’s love of col- ors was on full display during the wedding, with the rainbow spectrum on the bridesmaids’ gowns, each in their own bright color. They celebrated 43 years of marriage last Au- gust and were together as a couple 47 years. After completing studies at U of O, Bette and Rick re- turned to Hood River to work as teachers. In 1978, they ac- quired land and began farm- ing their orchard for pears. Bette taught middle school at Wy’east until 1977 when she and Rick started their family. Bette and Rick were blessed to have three daughters: Vanes- sa, Cecily and Lindsay. She was a busy mom to three ac- tive girls growing up on the farm and was always ready to play (while teaching them im- portant lessons at the same time). They were involved with 4-H — raising sheep, goats, dogs; and also sewing, photography and cooking — all projects that Bette loved doing, too. She was highly in- volved in The Hood River County Fair every year begin- ning from childhood and long into her adult years. In 1980, Bette combined her desire to teach, to promote physical fitness and to provide service to the community, all while still being available for her family, when she founded Rainbow Gymnastics School. She loved teaching in that ca- pacity for 21 years and many children in Hood River County — in addition to her own daughters and other family members — took lessons from Bette. In the later years, the classes included some second- generation students — chil- dren whose parents had gym- nastics classes with Bette when they were young. Music was a life-long de- light for Bette. She enjoyed music of many genres, espe- cially Christian music. She loved to find and use lively, joy- ful, upbeat music for the chil- dren in her gymnastics class- es. When she wasn’t teaching gymnastics, Bette still found an outlet for her love of music and dance. If a song she en- joyed came on the radio, she often gleefully started dancing with those in the room (line dancing, swing, tap, jazz – whatever fit the beat). It was one of the many ways that her spontaneous, positive spirit expressed itself and would in- fectiously build up all those around her. Along with raising Vanessa, Cecily and Lindsay and oper- ating Rainbow Gymnastics through these years, Bette was also a hard-working farm wife and partner in the orchard, working side by side with Rick as they enlarged and improved the orchard and raised high- quality fruit crops every grow- ing season. As the Benjamin girls grew older and moved onto college and into their adult years, Bette returned to teaching for Hood River Coun- ty School District and for sev- eral years was the PE teacher at Pine Grove Elementary School. She was such an en- couragement to her students and she led them to enjoy physical fitness so much that they tracked their running miles and received a national “Road Runner” award, which she and Rick went to New York to accept on behalf of the hardworking Pine Grove stu- dents of which she was so proud. Bette loved her family and friends. She and Rick were grateful to live near most of their siblings and friends. Bette was a devoted daughter, a treasured little sister, a cher- ished wife and a loving and dedicated mother and grand- mother. Bette’s greatest joy and happiness was being with Rick and her daughters, their husbands and the grandchil- dren. Whenever grandkids would visit, Bette was prompt- ly on the floor playing with the youngest ones or doing crafts and projects in her garden and kitchen with the older ones. She and her grandkids were inseparable and they loved their time with Grandma and Grandpa. She was also a special per- son to her many nieces and nephews. Her love for people and caring nature extended beyond family. Bette valued friends from all the eras of her life, maintaining many of those friendships throughout the years. But she didn’t just keep the old friends — Bette added deep friendships all her life with people of all ages. Bette and Rick warmly wel- comed the many young friends her daughters invited home and made them feel like family, it was very important to her that everyone felt wel- come and included. Bette’s many dear friends will miss the warmth and kindness of a cherished friend. Her family was her joy. Rick was a wonderful husband to grow with through the years and they have enjoyed a sweet, God-centered life together. Bette was proud of the women her daughters have become and the families they are growing. She welcomed the young men who would later marry Vanessa, Cecily and Lindsay, and loved them as her sons. As each grandchild was born and the group of Ben- jamin grandkids grew more numerous (eight and count- ing!), spending time with them had been a delight for Bette and will continue to be for Rick. A particular pleasure has been hosting these cher- ished little people from time to time — allowing their moms and dads a little time off from the busy job of parenting. And the grandchildren were blessed to spend time with their loving, playful, creative, energetic Grandma Bette. Her grandkids always loved the spontaneous opportunity to take a “Gator ride” with Grandma around the orchard, or to “help Grandma” by catching tadpoles, frogs and salamanders from her garden pond. Bette always used these times for fun, but never missed a teachable moment to teach her grandchildren about God, how to treat others re- Service Announcements Ramón Tostado R a m ó n To s t a d o, 7 3 , passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehabilita- tion Center in Gresham, Ore. Ramon was born on June 20, 1941. A viewing and vigil are planned for Thursday, April 30, from noon to 8 p.m. with Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Mass will be Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Bel- mont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031. Ramón Tostado H. falle- cio el sábado 25 de Abril, 2015 en Prestige Post-Acute y Rehabilitación en Gre- sham, Ore gon. Ramon nacio el 20 de Junio, 1941 y tenia 73 anos de edad en el momento de su fallecimien- to. Ramón nació y creció en San Juan de los Lagos Jal. México. El tenía cinco hijos y cinco hijas. La mayor parte de su familia está en México, y su última volun- tad era ser enterrado en México. Sus donaciones ayudaran para que su deseo se haga realidad. Los arreg- los están bajo la dirección de Homenaje Centro de An- derson. Si gustan acom- pañar nos el cuerpo pre- sente de Ramón será el día Jueves 30 de Abril de las 12 de la tarde hasta las 8 de la tarde en la Iglesia Católica Santa María, y el Rosario a las 7 p.m. La misa de cuerpo presente será el día Viernes 1 de Mayo a las 7 p.m. en la Iglesia católica Santa María en Hood River, 1501 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386- 1000. Please visit anderson- stributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. Bernie Dittenhofer NMLS #2550 NMLS #114231 ML 832-21 Donald McClain Donald McClain, 87, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Oregon Veter- ans’ Home in The Dalles, Ore. Donald was born March 22, 1928. Graveside services are planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery, 2687 Van Horn Drive, Hood River. Arrangements are under William Logue Your Mortgage Lender A division of Mann Mortgage, LLC 509 Cascade Ave., Suite F, Hood River Apply at berniedittenhofer.westcorpmortgage.com the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit andersonstrib- utecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. Ellen Dodge Ellen L. Dodge passed away April 26, 2015, in Cul- ver, Ore. She was born Jan. 10, 1928, in Chapin, Idaho. Memorial services will be held May 2 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 12th and Oak streets, Madras, Ore. Remembrances may be made to the Culver Commu- nity Lunch Program, 200 1st Ave., Culver, OR 97734. Mission Chairs For Sale William K. Lo gue, 81, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015, at his home in Cas- cade Locks, Ore. William was born Jan. 1, 1934. Services are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, at the Cascade Locks Community Church, 5 S.W. Benson Ave., Cascade Locks, OR 97014. Call Bernie today 541-490-0167 Licensed Mortgage Banker Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386- 1000. Please visit anderson- stributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. 6 chairs total; 2 with arms $300 for all 6 Call 541-490-7529 or email mdogotch@gmail.com spectfully, and the value of a job well done. Bette was a woman of un- wavering Christian faith. In her young years she attended Parkdale Community Church. She and Rick have been in- volved in the Hood River Christian Missionary Alliance Church for many years now and have served as dea- con/deaconess for the church, led home Bible studies and taught Sunday school over the years. Bette’s faith walk was expressed not only in her ser- vice at church, but was evi- dent throughout her home, conversations and interac- tions with everyone she met. Bette would regularly spend time reading God’s Word and would post snippets of Scrip- ture around the house to pro- vide encouragement to her and others. If people asked questions about the Scripture, she would use this as an op- portunity to witness to others about what Jesus has done in her life. She was a fearless prayer warrior and she and Rick would diligently hold oth- ers up in their prayer time, they benefitted countless oth- ers through their loving and faithful efforts. Bette loved photography. She appreciated quality pic- tures of accomplished photog- raphers and always had a cam- era available to capture spe- cial moments around her. Bette’s love of wildflower hikes in the spring was some- thing she inherited from her mother, Janice. She loved get- ting out in the beautiful natur- al landscapes around Parkdale or anywhere in the beautiful state of Oregon at any time during the year. Her apprecia- tion of nature inspired her love of gardening and Bette created spectacular gardens around their home. She took great joy in the bounty, beauty and vibrant array of colors from her flower gardens and they were a centerpiece of many family events, and pro- vided visitors with a gorgeous eyeful as they arrived at Rick and Bette’s home. Bette could see the beauty of God’s cre- ation represented in the sim- ple artistry of a fresh blossom. Bette delighted in treasure- hunting trips to Goodwill and was famous for finding just the right item for whatever purpose, most often for her family and friends. Dogs were her beloved companions and she often had multiple dogs at a time. Bette was a bundle of ener- gy. There was always a project (usually three or four simulta- neously) going on at home in addition to the work of day to day, season to season life at the farmhouse. Bette loved family photos and had them prominently displayed around the house along with craft items from daughters, grandkids and other young friends. She loved to decorate the family home for holidays A6 with her many beautiful pieces of art, antiques and family heirlooms. Having family and friends for dinners in the house in winter or sum- mer, and barbecues outdoor on the deck with the spectacu- lar view of Mount Hood were a special treat. Bette was fa- mous for dinners of chili and cinnamon rolls at any time of the year. She used the gifts she had been given in life, for service to others. Bette always put others before herself, and de- liberately looked for ways to serve her family, friends, stu- dents and community. She sincerely believed the words of Jesus, that “it is better to give than to receive,” and “to treat others as you would have them treat you.” Bette viewed her first calling as ser- vice to God, through serving those around her and would often invite relatives, friends or students into her home in the hope of helping them through hard times by demonstrating what a posi- tive, Christ-centered life looked like. Travel was something Bette loved to do with Rick — especially to visit family and friends. The Oregon Coast was always a favorite destina- tion but an exciting trip to New York City a few years ago was a special event and among several they took around the U.S. Gardening, at- tending music concerts and theater, and watching sport- ing events — especially foot- ball, basketball and gymnas- tics — in person or on televi- sion — are some special activ- ities that Bette and Rick would enjoy together in their spare time. Bette is survived by her beloved husband of 41 years, Rick Benjamin; daughter Vanessa Rice and her hus- band Nathan and their chil- dren Hannah, Emily, Ben- jamin, Joseph and David of Parkdale, Ore.; daughter Ceci- ly Watrud and her husband Eric and their children Naomi and Samuel of Lakeview, Ore.; daughter Lindsay Holmson and her husband Andy and their son Lucas, of Bain- bridge, Wash. She is also sur- vived by her sisters Pat Camp- bell, Ruth McAlexander, Sue Donnelly, her brother Lewis Merz Jr. and their families. She was preceded to Heaven by her parents, Lewis and Jan- ice Merz; sister Judy Wyers and sister Mary Lou Tolbert. A memorial fund in Bette’s name benefitting The Great Commission, Pancreatic Can- cer Action Network, Hood River Rotary and Providence Hospice of the Gorge is held at Columbia Bank in Hood River. Bette will be g reatly missed, but we are all blessed for having known and loved her. A Celebration of Life ser- vice will be held at the Hood River Alliance Church Satur- day, May 2, at 11 a.m. Death Notices Marilyn Miller Marilyn Miller, 92, passed away Friday, April 25, 2015, at Parkhurst Place in Hood River, Ore. Marilyn was born Aug. 23, 1922. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Re- ceptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. David Shelton David A. Shelton, longtime resident of Hood River, Ore., passed away at his home on April, 23, 2015, at the age of 59. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Gardner Funeral Home handled cremation arrange- ments. Myrtle White Myrtle White, 95, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living in Hood River, Ore. Myrtle was born on Sept. 16, 1919. Services are pending with arrangements under the di- rection of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386- 1000. Please visit anderson- stributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family. 0URCHASE2ElNANCE #ALL THE ONLY /&&)#% THAT MATTERSç (OME 0URCHASES s 2ElNANCES s %QUITY ,INES JEFF SACRE 3R -ORTGAGE 3PECIALIST NMLS-140302, MLO-140302 /FFICE (541) #ELL This is not a committment to lend. Information deemed reliable but subject to change without notice. Consumer Loan License NMLS-3240, CL-3240 Serving Hood River Daily! Monday - Friday: The Dalles • Hood River Peace of mind is not just knowing what you want but also knowing who is going to help your family in their time of need and where it will happen. Stop by to meet our family, tour our facility that has Hood River’s only on-site crematory and pick up your free “My Final Wishes” organizer to keep your final wishes safe. 541-386-1000 Anderson’s TRIBUTE CENTER Funerals • Receptions • Cremations 1401 Belmont Ave. • Hood River WWW .A NDERSONS T RIBUTE C ENTER. COM WE HONOR PLANS & PRICES FROM OTHER CREMATION SOCIETIES Call 541-386-4202 Portland, too! Tue&Thur Service The Dalles Hood River • PDX
