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News/Obituaries
wallowa.com
November 25, 2015
Wallowa County Chieftain
Historic Cemeteries Commission seeks new members
Wallowa County Chieftain
PENDLETON — The Or-
egon Commission on Historic
Cemeteries is seeking volun-
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resenting three regions across
the state, including northeast
Oregon.
The commission, com-
prised of seven members,
works to maintain a list of all
pioneer and historic cemeter-
ies in Oregon, make recom-
mendations for funding, obtain
grants and coordinate resto-
ration projects. Positions are
also open for southern Oregon
and the greater Portland area.
The group meets four times
per year in various locations
around the state. Anyone can
apply, though members should
have some knowledge related
to cemeteries, historic pres-
ervation, genealogy, cultural
and burial practices of ethnic
groups in Oregon, archaeolo-
gy, landscaping and history.
To apply, send a letter of
interest and résumé to com-
mission coordinator Kuri Gill
at Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov. Ap-
plicants should include their
reasons for wanting to serve
on the commission, skills they
will bring and goals for partic-
ipation. The deadline is Dec.
20.
For more information,
email Gill or call 503-986-
0685.
O BITUARIES
Donel ‘Roger’ Courtney
Jan. 13, 1949 to Nov. 12, 2015
Lester O. Ruud
July 17, 1913 to Nov. 12, 2015
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Elva Curtis
Sept. 28, 1927 to Oct. 19, 2015
Donel “Roger” Courtney
passed away in Portland on
Nov. 12, 2015. He was born in
the old hospital on the hill in
Enterprise on Jan. 13, 1949. It
was 20 degrees below zero and
his dad had trouble getting the
car started to get his mother to
the hospital. His parents were
Donel “Jick” Courtney and
Shirley “England” Courtney.
Roger spent most of his ear-
ly years growing up in Enter-
prise and graduated from Enterprise High School in 1967. He
worked in his uncle’s Texaco Service Station and then went to
the University of Washington and became a pharmacist and
lived and worked in Seattle for awhile.
Then he went on to school to become a medical doctor,
specializing in general practice, trauma, vascular and micro
surgery, metabolic physiology and critical care.
He practiced in the Portland area and worked in the emer-
gency room at Emmanuel Hospital for some time.
Roger and Neelima toured much of Europe and many other
parts of the world.
He enjoyed seeing the sights of the world and visiting with
the people.
He loved cars and motorcycles of any make and age, es-
pecially exotic and fast cars. Being gifted with his hands, he
enjoyed restoring cars and motorcycles. He also loved to build
computer systems from scratch.
Roger was preceded in death by his father Donel “Jick”
Courtney, sister Jill Courtney and uncle Richard Courtney. He
is survived by his wife Neelima, son Donel “Ajai” Courtney,
mother Shirley Steward, sister Diana Barney, brother Tyler
Courtney, uncle Mick and Sharon Courtney, and many rela-
tives and friends.
Celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday,
Dec. 3 at the Bollman Funeral Home with fellowship to fol-
low at the VFW Hall. Private Interment of Cremains will take
place at Enterprise Cemetery. Bollman Funeral Home will
handle arrangements.
Donations can be made in Roger’s name to the Enterprise
Cemetery.
Lester Ruud, 102, passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 at
Parkview at Wheatland Village in Walla Walla. A memorial service
will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 28 at Walla Walla City Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
Lester was born July 17, 1913 in Elgin, Ill., to Iver O. and Kar-
in (Nicolaison) Ruud. He graduated from Walla Walla Academy
in 1935 and attended Walla Walla College. He met Vera Grove at
Walla Walla College and waited for Vera to graduate from nursing
training before marrying her. They were married May 14, 1939 in
Portland. They were married 76 years.
He was taught watchmaking by his father in Oregon City, Ore-
gon. He started his own watchmaking business in downtown Port-
land, repairing watches by mail from jewelers along the Oregon
coast and from Portland. He settled in Enterprise in 1948 and oper-
ated a jewelry and gift shop until watches began to be run by bat-
teries. He moved to Pendleton and started a hearing-aid business
and became a hearing instrument specialist. In 1978, after 17 years
in Pendleton, he purchased a hearing-aid business in Walla Walla,
then retired in 1985.
Lester was a very active member of the Walla Walla City Sev-
enth-day Adventist church. He was the assistant director of the
Adventist Community Services Center in Walla Walla. He volun-
teered for Gospel Outreach in College Place. He and Vera volun-
teered on several Maranatha building projects throughout the U.S.
He was an amateur radio operator. He was a member of the Inter-
national Hearing Society and the Oregon and Washington Hearing
Societies. He is a past member of the Pendleton Round Up Lions.
Lester loved to ski from childhood until in his late 80s. He loved
to water ski and sail. He built grandfather clocks for each of his six
grandchildren’s weddings. After his retirement he repaired many of
the clocks in the Walla Walla Valley.
Lester is survived by his loving wife Vera of 76 years. They
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(Diana) Ruud of Chesapeake, Va. Other relatives include brother
Nils (Jo) Ruud of Oregon City; sister Shirley (Calvin) Hartnell of
Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grand-
children. He was preceded in death by both parents, sisters Emily,
Lilly, Ruth and Helen, and brother Leslie.
Contributions may be made in Lester’s name to Gospel Out-
reach, Adventist Community Services or Walla Walla Hospice.
Friends and family may share memories and sign the online guest-
book at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Elva Curtis slipped away Monday, Oct.
19, 2015 at Angeline Senior Living in La Grande — into the
hands of her Lord, husband Melvin and daughter Lorraine.
Betty was born in Everson, Wash., to Alexander and Elva
(Bates) Walter. She was an only child, which she loved. She
was spoiled and stayed that way all of her life.
Betty lived in many parts of Oregon but Wallowa County
was her favorite and she lived here over 30 years. She didn’t
feel the need to go anywhere else when she already lived in
“God’s country”. She enjoyed taking the bus to the senior
meal site. The drivers usually took the long way home, and
she thought it was wonderful to see “places she had never seen
before”.
Her hobbies were sewing, making quilts, knitting, crochet-
ing and counted cross stitch. She earned many blue ribbons at
county fairs. She give away the many things she made to ones
she loved, those who appreciated her work.
She attended the Church of the Nazarene in Enterprise. She
enjoyed the music and the friendly people. It became home
to her.
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Anne, Lorraine and Shirley. She has several grandchildren and
great-grand children. Her big black cat, “Darlin’ Big Guy,”
was her constant companion.
Betty is survived by Diana Bolin, Elaine Winnie, Anne
Freiberg and Shirley Curtis. She was preceded in death by her
husband Melvin, daughter Lorraine and grand-daughter Co-
rina.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
About Obituaries
Correction
Our Nov. 18 Biz Buzz column listed an incorrect artist name
for the works being displayed at Missy’s Uptown Art. The gal-
lery has work by Robert Dawson, Dean Crouser and many
more local artists.
News obituaries are a free service of the Wallowa County
Chieftain. The paper accepts obituaries from the family or fu-
neral home. Information submitted is subject to editing. Send
obituaries by e-mail, obits@wallowa.com; fax, 541-426-3921;
or mail, PO Box 338, Enterprise, OR 97828. The deadline to
submit an obituary is 2 p.m. Monday for the Wednesday paper.
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Todd Ebsen Boston
Aug. 29, 1963 to Nov. 8, 2015
Todd Ebsen Boston
passed away suddenly
on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015
at his favorite place on
earth, where his family
ties run for over a centu-
ry, at Grouse Flat, Ore.,
while doing one of his
most beloved activities
— hunting for elk.
Todd was born in
Lewiston, Idaho, on Aug.
29, 1963. Todd lived
for the most part of his
life in Clarkston, Wash.,
and Troy. He attended
grade school through
high school in Clarkston,
graduating in 1981. He
also attended Wenatchee
Valley Community Col-
lege, where he played football.
Todd worked in farming and ranching, construction, elec-
tronics manufacturing and most recently at Costco in Clark-
ston.
A true outdoorsman, Todd spent his spare time on Grouse
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He cherished his time with family in participating in these ac-
tivities and the wonders of the great outdoors. His heart was
open to all and his infectious joy for family and friends im-
pacted the lives of many.
Todd is survived by his parents, Paula Ebsen of Clarkston
and Clarence Boston of Terrebone, Ore.; brother Terry Boston
(Tammey) of Pullman; nephews Chase Boston of Madison,
Wis., and Drew Boston of Kennewick; aunts Norma Lovelady
of Asotin and Pam (Rich) Earp of Lenore; and many cousins
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him in death in 1976. He also was preceded in death by grand-
parents Joe and Ellen Ebsen of Asotin, and Dewey and Anna
Boston of Troy.
Graveside services were held at Vineland Cemetery in
Clarkston, and a celebration of life for Todd was held Nov. 13
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gifts to your favorite charity.
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Nov. 26
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Nov. 28
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A Youth Art
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Thursday, December 3
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Phases of the moon
Nov. 25
Dec. 2
Dec. 11
Dec. 18
Full Moon
Last Quarter
New Moon
1st Quarter
WALLOWA COUNTY SUNRISE, SUNSET NOV. 25-DEC. 1
(from the U.S. Naval Observatory)
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Rise: 7:01 Rise: 7:02 Rise: 7:04 Rise: 7:05 Rise: 7:06 Rise: 7:07 Rise: 7:08
Set: 4:11 Set: 4:10 Set: 4:10 Set: 4:09 Set: 4:08, Set: 4:08 Set: 4:08