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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2019)
2A | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS On The Record OBITUARIES NELSON—Keith L. Nel- son was born to Eleanor and Sidney Nelson on July 25, 1937, in DeSmet, S.D., and has passed away after a long and prosperous life. He grew up in the “Little Town on the Prairie,” where he and his brothers, Boyd and Dennis, had all sorts of fun and caused a little bit of mischief on the farm. It is from his youth that he became a true out- doorsman who loved to pheasant hunt and fish. Keith passed down his Keith fishing Nelson skills to his kids and grandkids. The love he had for the outdoors was his se- renity. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he served our country for several years. After leaving the Navy, he attended South Dakota State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in edu- cation. Later, he earned his master’s degree from Oregon State University. Keith’s life always focused on his wife (Joanne, who re- cently passed), his three chil- dren — Pegeen, Nancy and Darek — his daughter-in-law Rita, and his five grandkids: Matthew, Becky, Cree, Mitch- ell and Ellie. Keith began his career in Carlin, Nev., as a special education teacher. He then moved his family to Port Or- ford, where he taught shop and coached the high school boys’ basketball team. After living in Port Orford a few years, he moved his family north to Florence where he was Siuslaw High School’s counselor and head basket- ball coach. Other than hunting and fishing, Keith’s passion was coaching boys high school basketball, where he led Siu- slaw to its best state tourna- ment finish at third place. Keith retired from coach- ing in the late 70s, turning his attention to his family and construction. Along with his wife Jo- anne, they started Nelson and Nelson Construction. They built several customs homes in the Florence community and performed a countless number of remodels both in town and along all the sur- rounding lakes. His wood craftsmanship and eye for detail was exceptional. In addition, Keith spent years of dedicated service on the Florence Planning Com- mission as well as being a chair for Lane Community College-Florence Campus. After a long career with Siuslaw High School, he re- tired in 1994. Soon after that, he retired from construction all together. His passions after retirement were his grandkids, golfing, growing a beautiful vegetable garden, and the outdoors. His grand- kids brought picnics, fishing, fun and joy to his life. Keith will always be re- membered as a devoted hus- band, a fabulous father to his kids and the best “Gramps” the grandkids could ask for. His wonderful ability to lis- ten, his positive attitude and sense of humor will truly be missed. We know you are with Mom now, and may you rest in peace. There will be celebrating Keith’s life on June 7, begin- ning at 1 p.m. at Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Emergency Cold Weath- er Shelter at 3996 Hwy 101, Florence, Ore., 97439. GOULDING —John Goulding, 67, formerly of Deadwood was born Sept. 28, 1950 and died June 24, 2017. John grew up with his par- ents, two sisters and brother in Alturas Calif., where he knew his future wife Suzy as his youngest sister’s friend and his future in-laws as his high school teachers. John was an incredibly talented and hard-working man, capable of figuring out most things he set his mind to with a book and practice. From managing shoe stores in California to becoming the Capitan of the Miss Maria in Alas- ka, John worked his ass off. He was an artist, ultimately finding his medium John in wood. Goulding Throughout the North- west, the beautiful and func- tional furniture, cabinets and homes that he’s built will last generations. If you’ve ever visited Heceta Head Light- house or the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you’ve probably seen his work. The love that John’s wife and daughter felt from him was unparalleled. When Ce- leste was born John became a committed father and moved to Deadwood, Ore., with his small family. John and Suzy homesteaded in Deadwood for 13 years, raising their daughter. They moved to Terre- bonne, Ore., when Suzy was hired as the Special Educa- tion teacher for Culver El- ementary. John claimed to dislike people, yet he was a hilarious and reliable friend to many. Somehow, he always was available to help a neighbor or friend, however begrudg- ingly. His laugh and his jokes will live on in all that ever saw him having a good time. He rarely told people goodbye, rather favoring the phrase “be good,” so we’ll do our best to be good and continue on. John died after being hos- pitalized five days in Bend, Ore., following a fall from the roof at his home of 14 years in Terrebonne. He is survived by his mother Betty Hough; his sib- lings Kathleen, Michael and Kristeen Goulding; his wife Suzy Tignor and daughter Celeste Goulding; along with his fourth female black lab with a three-letter name be- ginning with I: Isa. They will be collecting sto- ries and photos of John to go together in a memory book celebrating his life while coming up on the second an- niversary of his passing this June. If you would like to send something, or receive a copy of the book, please reach out at celeste97116@gmail.com. RANTA—Judith (Judy) Ranta was born Nov. 16, 1938, in Philadelphia, Penn. Her parents were Fredrick W. Brink and Doris Lippincott Brink. Having been a U.S. Navy junior and the wife of a U.S. Marine C o r p s a v i a t o r, she had lived on the East Coast, W e s t C o a s t Judith and Gulf Ranta Coast, as well as Mid-America, Japan and Hawaii before eventually in Oregon. During her long life, she reared eight children (five of whom were adopted); was a den mother; traveled 48 of the United States for a year with six little children while her husband served in Okinawa, Japan, as an of- ficer in the Marine Corps; was a volunteer director for the American Field Service student exchange program in Hawaii; placed more than 200 international children into adoptive homes, primar- ily in Hawaii; volunteered to prepare and serve soup at the Florence Free Lunch Pro- gram for many years; volun- teered at Florence Habitat for Humanity on the family se- lection committee for about 10 years; and was the office manager for her husband’s tax preparation business. She died May 15, 2019, of Alzheimer’s disease. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Roger Jr. She is survived by her hus- band of 59 years, Roger Ran- ta; her brother, Fredrick W. Brink, Jr.; her children: Heidi Fillo, Timothy Ranta, James Ranta, Peter Ranta, Margaret Ranta, Helena Fitzgerald, Ke- cia Classen and Cougar Lind; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 15, at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw in Florence. Any gifts given in her memory can be made to the Florence Habitat for Humanity or to the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw memorial fund. COOPER—Anola Beth Cooper, 85, beloved wife and friend to so many, went to be with our Lord on March 2, 2019. She was born Dec. 30, 1933, in Selma, Calif., the only child of Clara and Ewald Rasmussen. A graduate of Selma High School, Anola went on to earn her license in cosmetology. Anola and her husband, Bob, moved to Florence in 1991 upon their retirements. They both quick- ly made friends who be- c a m e family to them in their early Anola years of Cooper living in Florence. The couple split their time between Florence and Anola’s childhood home in Selma for many years. Anola enjoyed working during her early re- tirement years to help fulfill her love engaging with peo- ple. She knew everyone and was loved by everyone who knew her. Anola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Garry Clements; husband Robert Cooper; and her grandson. She is survived by two grandchildren and many family and friends in both Selma and Florence. A cele bration of her life will be held at the Florence Senior Center, 1570 Kingwood, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. In lieu of flowers, friends ask for contributions to be made to a favorite organiza- tion that helps support and better the community that Anola so loved. Fun STARTS HERE THREE RIVERS CASINO RESORT FLORENCE $50,000 ONE WINNER Grand Prize Drawing Friday, June 28 at 10:30PM Earn entries every Friday & Saturday. One entry for every 50 points earned. PLUS $100 CASH & 100 ENTRIES HOT SEATS GUARANTEED Every 20 Minutes from 7pm -10pm on Fridays and Saturdays Entries must be activated by inserting your players club card into any slot machin machine ne between 6pm and 10pm on Friday, June 28, 2019 to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing. Find BIGFOOT & win up to $2, 500 One entry for every 50 points earned Noon to 7:59pm THURSDAYS 6PM 7PM 8PM STARTS HERE Live Musi c FATHER’S DAY 7PM - 11PM Special SUNDAY, JUNE 16 • NOON-9PM BRET LUCICH & PAUL BIONDI EXPERIENCE JUNE 7 & 8 22oz Porterhouse Steak $25 HECKTIC WEEK JUNE 14 & 15 FLORENCE 8 7 7 - 3 7 4 - 8 3 7 7 | T H R E E R I V E R SC A S I N O . CO M