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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2017)
2 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 OBITUARIES EKSTROM—Robert James Ekstrom, Sr., 93, of Florence, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2017, while sur- rounded by his four children. Bob (or Bobby as he was more commonly known) was Robert born Jan. Ekstrom 30, 1924, in the old rail- road hospital in Anchorage, the youngest child of Nancy Stephan Hedburg Ekstrom and the only child of James “Jim” Pete Ekstrom. His father raised him. Jim fished commercially at Granite Point during the summer and always took his little boy with him. They slept in a tent, continually tormented by curious black bears; a nightmare for Bobby. He often was awakened with a paw coming through the canvas or returning with his father to a destroyed camp. He never understood why his father had no fear of bears. Bobby, a bright child, was enrolled at age 5 in Central, located in downtown Anchorage, the only school at that time. He was bilingual as he had learned to speak Swedish and English simultaneously prior to attending school. He excelled scholastical- ly; played saxophone in the band and hockey on the city team (the school didn’t have a team). After Bobby graduated from ninth grade, his father forced him to quit school and go to work. During the winter, Jim traveled, working as a pile driv- er, constructing docks, bridges and buildings in various parts of Alaska. Bobby’s sisters, Lillie, Alice and Gladys, and his two broth- ers, John and Elmer, looked in on him but often he was left alone at the 2nd Avenue house his father owned in Anchorage. This was difficult enough, but at 8 years old Bobby was aban- doned by a caregiver during the winter. At the time, he was in a full body cast from a broken hip. He was found barely alive but survived. The rough times were instru- mental in developing Bobby’s strength of character and outlook on life. From that point forward he was known for his charisma, independence, personal pride, delightful sense of humor and endearing charm. Dunes City accepting input for public hearing Dunes City is accepting cit- izen input relating to marijua- na grow sites in Dunes City. Anyone interested in pro- viding comments that will be included in the record of a public hearing of the Dunes City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 13, is invited to submit comments in writing to Dunes City Hall. Written comments can be mailed or delivered to Dunes City Hall, 82877 Spruce St., Westlake, Ore., 97493, or emailed to recorder@dunesci- tyor.com. Comments should be sub- mitted by 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, to allow ample time for City Councilors to review them before the public hear- ing. Clarification He was a survivor in every way, always enjoying life in a lively and often somewhat noisy way. As a young man, Bobby worked with his dad during the winter. More than once he got fired by his dad just to get rehired the next day. When he got older, he worked on the Alaska Highway, but always left permanent employment to return to Granite Point for the fishing season. During WWII, Bobby enlisted in the U.S. Army with several of his lifelong friends, including Isam Hillary. He was initially transported to Seattle, then to several other bases in the South. It was then onto Attu and the Philippines. He loved recounting all the crazy jokes he and his Army buddies played on each other, including sneaking out of the barracks to go into town to party and chase girls. After the war, Bobby was working up in Folger when he met his first wife, Grace Konig. They married within a year and in time had five children: Roberta, Carol Ann, Robert Jr., Georgia and Pete. They lost Carol Ann when she was 2 years old. During those early years, Bobby worked for Arctic Oil Fuel delivering heating oil and fishing during the summer. When Grace and Bobby divorced, like his father he raised the children. It was quite unusual in those days. Catholic Charities and State of Alaska Social Services more than once tried to influence him to give up his children. In 1954, Shirley Rae Mack had relocated to Anchorage from Oregon, and was working at Fort Richardson when they met. She and Bobby hit it off but an emer- gency forced her to return to Oregon. Several years later, with a lame excuse, she called him. He asked her to come back to Anchorage and she did within three days. He was the love of her life. Within months they married and so their 45 years of life together began. The family continued to reside in Anchorage until the late 1960s, when Bobby and Shirley permanently relocated to Granite Point. This was an enormous change for Shirley, who was city girl. Without hesitation she accepted the challenge of living in the bush in a fish camp with almost nothing. There was no electricity, run- ning water, sewer or septic, tele- phone, roads or any borough services. At first, they just had an old undependable truck but no winter roads between Granite Point and Tyonek or any place else. In the 1970s, Bobby and Shirley established Trading Bay Catering. The first restaurant, the “Cook Shack,” was nothing more than a converted shed. Old ATCO trailers were purchased and upgraded for sleeping quar- ters for seismic crews. The business really took off when Bobby and Shirley built their home. Building materials were transported by dory from Anchorage. Bobby, Shirley and three friends constructed the 3,000-square-foot home all by themselves. They then built a restaurant better known as “Shirleyville.” Bobby had an astounding knack for drumming up business. Shirley, a bookkeeper, was a fan- tastic cook. Bobby was the breakfast chef with sleepy crews coming in at 6 a.m., ending up singing along with Bobby instead of Mitch. Shirley and Bobby were quite the pair. In addition, he bought the Pelican, a WWII modified land- ing craft. Unknown to most of the fisherman, Bobby contacted fish processors year after year to insure the Cook Inlet Northern District setnettters had a buyer for their fish. The Pelican tendered salmon delivering the catch to Anchorage and/or Kenai proces- sors until he retired. Shirley passed away in 1999. Bobby had health issues of his own and, at age 76, sold Shirleyville to the Native Village of Tyonek and another partner. The patronage from Native Village of Tyonek (many friends and family) had greatly con- tributed to the financial success of Shirleyville. Bobby was glad to see the village buy the busi- ness with hopes it would contin- ue to be a place to gather for good food and good company. Bobby relocated to Washington State, residing with his daughter, Roberta, and her husband until his health failed. He then moved to a care facility. The Regency was only blocks from Roberta’s home, so he came home for visits during the day plus enjoyed visits from family and friends at the facility. The Regency staff loved him. His wit and humor never let him down. Caregivers never knew what he might come up with to challenge and entertain them. Bobby is survived by his four children: Roberta Hallam, Robert James Ekstrom Jr., Georgia Dieringer and Pete Ekstrom; eight grand- children and many great- grandchil- dren. B u r n s ’s Riverside C h a p e l Florence Funeral Eula Fish Home was in charge of arrangements. FISH—Eula Dixie Fish passed peacefully Aug. 8, 2017. She was born in Hot Springs, N.M., on Dec. 31, 1937. She is survived by her four children and their spouses; 12 grandchil- dren and 23 great-grandchildren. Eula moved to the state of Washington as a baby and then to Florence at age 10. She went through high school and then met her first husband, Ray Bishop, on the stage of the Florence Civic Theatre in a pro- duction of “You can't take it With You.” They married and raised four children: Angela, Desiree, Christian and Don. Eula volunteered in her chil- dren’s classrooms as an art instructor and teacher’s aid. After the children were teenagers, Eula went on to col- lege and received a nursing degree. She met her second hus- band, Robert Fish, during that time. They married in 1980 and enjoyed their time together until his death in 2010. Eula volunteered for the Florence Events Center, Meals on Wheels, as well as being a counselor for the Women’s Center. Eula was an artist who loved to paint and draw in many medi- ums. Animals, the outdoors and her family were her favorite sub- jects. She was prolific in jewelry making, clay sculpting, basket weaving and tiny bears. Eula had a huge green thumb and would beautify wherever she lived with amazing gardens. She could create a perfect oasis for everyone to enjoy, including for birds, squirrels, her cats and the neighbors. Eula was very spiritual and a good listener. She could make you feel so much better with a listen and a hug. If you wanted counsel she would give it, encouraging you to solve and work through your worries in your own time. She loved wildlife and had a great respect for nature. Eula had connection with animals which she shared with her children and grandchildren. Eula loved to dance, wear bright colors, laugh, read, walk in the woods, nurture and most of all, she loved her family. We will all miss her very much. JAMES—Gini M. James, 81, of Florence, passed away Sept. 5, 2017. Arrangements are being held through Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home. In the Wednesday, Sept. 6 edition of Siuslaw News, in the front-page story “Eye on the Future,” which reported on Siuslaw High School’s graduation rates, the 2015-16 rate of 74.83 “being the fourth worst” in the nation was referring to the state of Oregon, not Siuslaw High School. Siuslaw News regrets any confusion that may have resulted. R E-CORNER Dave’s Most people have heard of the 3Rs of environmentally friendly behavior- REDUCE is to use less of something. Use less water, turn off lights, use both sides of a paper. REUSE is to use an item again. Refi ll a water bottle, reuse a container and buy reusable bags. RECYCLE is to make new items from old ones; recycle bottles, glass, paper, cans, plastic, cardboard & more. T ip SEPARATE TRASH One of the main reasons people feel like they can’t recycle is because it’s an extra step in their already busy day. Keeping a cardboard box or large container right next to the trash can for all recyclable goods makes recycling a whole lot easier. Then, all your waste is ready when your disposal service comes to pick it up. Q uiz Answer to Previous Quiz: C: Recycling Health Care Town Hall Join us for the third in a series of town hall events for an update on provider recruitment and to hear more about upcoming healthcare initiatives within the community. If you make a new basket from an old ice cream bucket you are… A) reducing. B) reusing. C) recycling. Wednesday, Sept. 13 7 - 8 a.m. D id you Know? to 1:30 p.m. (Choose one of the two sessions to attend) Florence Events Center 715 Quince St., Florence, OR 97439 Come to the town hall for an opportunity to ask your questions in person. Or, share your questions in advance of the event: facebook.com/peaceharbor NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Visit us online for the latest information about the event and PeaceHealth’s provider recruiting efforts. IL E M RV SE IC 02-7 1) 9 55 4 (54 COAST DIS AL L SA PO CEN TR People in the U.S. make up 5% of the world’s population but use 25% of the world’s resources and generate 30% of its garbage.* noon GOT QUESTIONS? E W I TH A S peacehealth.org/WeCare Thanks to our partner, the City of Florence, for working with us to host this event.
