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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2015)
Polk County News 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 7, 2015 OBITUARIES David John Hunter May 23, 1945 – Sept. 27, 2015 David John Hunter, 70, of Dallas, died Sept. 27 in Dal- las. He was born in Spokane, Wash., to Don and Mary Hunter. He was raised with four siblings, Jim, Doug, Dale and Nancy. At an early age, he came to a new family in Dallas, Ralph and Lillian El- l i o t t . He gained a n e w brother and sister too, Judy and Bill El- l i o t t . D a v i d loved liv- ing on the farm, and some of his happiest memories came from the times he spent there. During that time he met his lifelong friend and “brother” Bob Meyers. At the age of 17, he signed up and went into the Navy in January of 1963, turning 18 in boot camp. In June of 1966, he re- turned to Dallas. Later that year, he met the love of his life, Michelle Regnier. He went home and told his mom he met the girl he was going to marry, after they had a Pepsi together at the Blue Garden. David and Michelle were married on June 29, 1968. After a few months in Dallas, they moved to Mentor on the Lake, Ohio. This is where their daughter Annette was born in 1970. David worked for Sears & Roebuck, and Meyers dairy. In 1972, they moved to Illinois where David worked for C&A Daw- son. In 1974, David and Michelle had a huge tragedy in their lives when their daughter Hope was still- born. This crashed David to the core. In 1982, they moved back to the Portland area, eventually returning to Dallas. David worked driving truck and in security for var- ious places. In 1989, David was forced to retire because of his multiple sclerosis (MS). Since that time he bat- tled to live his best with his loving wife Michelle by his side. Michelle worked as a nurse during the day and by night at home caring for her husband. In 2008, they moved into Michelle’s mom, Helen’s home to help care for her for six years. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy; daugh- ter, Hope; and lifelong friend, Bob. Survivors include his wife, Michelle; daughter, Annette (John); siblings, Jim, Doug, Dale, and Bill; three grand- children; and extended fam- ily. Service was Sept. 30 at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Interment was at Dallas Cemetery. Contributions are sug- gested to the MS Founda- tion, hospice or Dallas American Legion. To leave an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Michael David Gardner Aug. 29, 1948 – Sept. 26, 2015 Michael David Gardner, 67, of Dallas, died on Sept. 26. He was born in Greeley, Colo., to Claude and Shirley Gardner. Mike served in the Army 101st Air- borne as a paratroop- er during Vietnam. M i k e married Sandy Reed on Jan. 27, 1969, in Salem. They en- joyed traveling in their VW Bug and VW Bus. After his military service, Mike was a HiRISE steel- worker. He helped construct the KOIN Tower in Portland and the Bank of Tokyo in Seattle. Mike was featured in the Architect Digest Maga- zine for the highly technical construction of the Mirrored Ceiling at the Clackamas Ice Skating Rink. Mike also worked as a commercial car- penter in Salem and Alaska. Mike was severely injured, while working in late 1980’s and was unable to continue working. His sons were his whole life. He had enjoyed the out- doors and camping when the boys were young. Mike was an avid supporter of the Dallas Dragon Football Pro- gram. He always attended his sons’ football games. He continued to support and attend games as long as he could. He also was a mem- ber of the Dallas Quarter- back Club. Survivors include his wife, Sandy; sons, Kyle Gardner Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 and Brandon Gardner; sis- ter, Kathy; brothers, John and Patrick; and one grand- daughter. Family service was held under the care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Contributions are sug- gested to the Michael Gard- ner Memorial Fund in care of the mortuary. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Robert Bruce McAlpine Wilsonville; son, Harold Nees of Casablanca, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. G ra v e s i d e s e r v i c e i s Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Willamette National Ceme- tery in Portland. Contributions are sug- gested to the American Dia- betes Association. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. June 23, 1943 – Sept. 27, 2015 Robert Bruce McAlpine, 72, of Dallas, died Sept. 27 in Salem. He was born to James and Janice McAlpine in Pasade- na, Calif. Robert married Judith in July of 1971. They were best friends for 44 years. Bob was a talented and successful building designer, land developer and general contractor for 40 years and loved his work. He loved his family and enjoyed nearly every person he knew. Bob was a member and high priest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He dearly loved Jesus Christ and His gospel. He was preceded in death by his brother, Steve. Survivors include his wife, Judith; son, Geoffrey; daugh- ter, Lyssa; brother, James; and three grandchildren. Service was Monday at the Dallas Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment was at Dallas Cemetery. Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrange- ments. Darlene ‘Dolly’ M. Thielsen April 19, 1940 – Oct. 2, 2015 Darlene “Dolly” M. Thielsen, 75, of Dallas, died Friday in Dallas. She was born in Michigan City, Ind., to Leo and M a r y Spencer Block. S h e worked as a supervi- sor in housekeeping for the Rouse Company, retiring in 1998. Dolly came to Dallas to live in 2001. She married Jimmy Ray Thielsen in Dallas on Jan. 1, 2011. Dolly was a member of the Dallas Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gar- dening and bowling. She was preceded in death by a daughter, sister and brother. Survivors include her hus- band, Jim of Dallas; daugh- t e r, M a r y Ja c o b s o f Dannie ‘Dan’ Ray White Sept. 29, 2015 Dannie “Dan” Ray White, 61, of Dallas, died Sept. 29. He had a long battle with cardio vascular disease. He was born in Sacramen- to, Calif., to Jessie Lee and Shirley Ann White. D a n married the love of his life, Patricia Graves, 46 years ago. He had a tremendous love for his family and friends. Dan loved life. He was a social butterfly and would strike up a conversation with any- one. He always had a smile on his face. Survivors include his wife, Patricia of Dallas; daughters, Yvonne L. White of Dayland, Ariz., and Willie Mae Preston of Salem; sons, Dannie White Jr. of Dallas and Nicholas White of Junction City; brothers, Willie and Jessie; sister, Christine Fuller; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and a large extended family. Service was Tuesday at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Interment was at Restlawn Memory Gardens. To leave an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Kenneth W. Jacobson Sept. 19, 1921 – Sept. 29, 2015 Kenneth W. Jacobson, 94, of Dallas, died Sept. 29. He was born in Vancou- ver, Wash. Ken, also known as “Jake” by some, had lived in Dallas for 68 years. He married Velda Fettis of Van- couver on Sept. 11, 1942. Ken graduated from Fort Vancouver High School, then attended Willamette University where his studies were interrupted by World War II. Ken was a member of the Willamette football team that played against the Uni- versity of Hawaii in Oahu on Dec. 6, 1941. The team was stranded in Hawaii after the Pearl Har- bor bombing. Their experience has been highlighted in various news- paper articles, publications, ESPN and an NFL Films video including several in- terviews with Ken. He enlist- ed in the Army on May 9, 1942, and served until March 5, 1946. When his enlistment ended, he continued his studies, graduating f r o m Willamette University with a business degree. He was hired by D a l l a s S c h o o l District in 1 9 4 7 , where he was a teacher, coach, athlet- ic director and school ad- ministrator until his retire- ment in 1983. He received his master’s degree from Oregon State University. Ken had an amazing memory and loved to recall his life experiences begin- ning with his Vancouver childhood through present day. He was devoted to his family, students, players and community. He sincerely liked to see young people succeed in life. His children have fond memories of camping at the Metolius River and Scout Lake as well as time spent along the Oregon coast. Ken lived a great life and was a good sport in all things, playing by the rules and being a good role model. He had considerable appreciation for the simple things, such as hitting the golf ball straight down the fairway, catching a fish and spending time with his fam- ily and friends. He enjoyed traveling, his miniature schnauzers and his town, including both the Dallas Retirement Village and his family at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velda in 2010, and granddaughter, Kim in 2001. Survivors include his sons, Steve (Barb), and Eric (Cindy); daughter, Jill (Bill) Zatwarnicki; and two grand- daughters. Service is Thursday at 11 a.m. at Dallas Trinity Luther- an Church. Visitation is Wednesday (today) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dallas Mor- tuary Tribute Center. Private interment will be at the Dal- las Cemetery. Contributions are sug- gested to the Dallas High School Booster Club or to Trinity Lutheran Church in care of the mortuary. To send an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com. Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $550 Traditional Funeral $1,975 Introducing BrainHearing ™ technology. Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. Give your brain exactly what it needs to hear. Call now for your Free Trial. Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. Joyful Sound Hearing www.ANewTradition.com 312 Main Street 503-623-0290 I N D A L L A S ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes ~ Karen Klein- Moellenberndt Feb. 10, 1951 – Sept. 25, 2015 Karen Kelin-Moellen- berndt, 64, of Dallas, died Sept. 25 in Dallas following a long illness. She was born in Hen- n e p i n , Minn., to John and So p h i e Klein. The Kleins lived in Illinois w h e r e K a r e n spent most of her early childhood. Karen married David Moellenberndt on Dec. 12, 1986. After David retired from the state of California, they moved to Polk County in 2002, where they lived on a very rural, peaceful five acres in Cooper Hollow. They began an association with the Polk County Histo- ry Museum that lasted until her health began to fail. Karen was a shy person, but one who enjoyed social- izing with friends with whom she was comfortable. She was a multi-talented person who excelled at whatever task she attempt- ed. She was a talented and innovative cook, seamstress, gardener, artist, ceramist and jewelry designer. Before she became ill and retired on disability, she worked for Sacramento County Mental Health De- partment as an accountant. She had also been a long- haul trucker with her previ- ous husband and was later a horse trainer. She enjoyed traveling and visiting family in the Mid- west and East Coast. A major love was going to casinos and gambling. She almost always won, and several times made enough to seri- ously affect their taxes. She was preceded in death by her sister, Kath- leen. Surviving is her husband, David, of nearly 29 years. She was his best friend and will be so missed. Contributions are sug- gested to Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 Third St. NW, Salem, OR 97304 and/or to The Polk County History So- ciety P.O. Box 67, Mon- mouth, OR 97361. Harland Chester Buhler Oct. 16, 1928 – Aug. 13, 2015 Harland Chester Buhler, 86, of Honey Brook, Pa., died Aug. 13. He was born in Dallas to Cornelius and Martha Buh- ler. Harland graduated from Dallas High School in 1946 and then served two years in the Navy as an elec- tronics specialist. After the N a v y, h e enrolled at Oregon State Uni- versity and worked with Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship, The Navigators, and lettered in wrestling. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in fish and game in 1952. He also attended Multnomah School of the Bible, where he met Doug Coe with whom he lived and worked. That relationship and min- istry grew and continued on and off for the next 60 years. T h r o u g h Fe l l o w s h i p Foundation ministry, Har- land worked in Bermuda at Willowbank where he met Sheila, the love of his life and his wife of 50 years. To continue in his min- istry work, they moved to Pennsylvania and later to Maryland. In the early years to make ends meet, Harland worked on and off in con- struction, helping build the Metrorail subway and Wolf- trap Pavilion. Harland had a servant’s heart, which was not only displayed through his work but also through his interac- tions with friends and fami- ly. He was a man who dedi- cated his life to doing the Lord’s work and humbly lived his faith daily. His talent for being able to fix almost anything meant that sometimes he agreed to help others when it may not have been so convenient to him or Sheila. In 2011, after 45 years working with the Fellowship Foundation, Harland retired and he and Sheila moved to Honey Brook, Pa., to be near their daughter, Mary and husband, Colin and their three grandson. They quick- ly made friends and loved spending more time with the boys. Harland enjoyed his re- tirement years spending time in his garden plot, working in the woodworking shop and working out in the gym with a personal trainer. He enjoyed not having to cut grass, rake leaves or shovel snow and looked forward to their annual holiday to Phoenix, Ariz., each Christ- mas to enjoy the winter sun- shine with son and daughter in-law, David and Lesley. Continued on Page 9A
