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Polk County News 6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • November 16, 2016 Evans to serve second term Nearman overcomes challengers for HD 23 Democrat incumbent beats Morett, re-elected to House District 20 By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer SALEM — Rep. Paul Evans (D) will serve another two-year term representing District 20 in the Capitol. He won the election against challenger Laura Morett (R) on Nov. 8, 52 to 47 percent statewide and countywide. In Polk County, Evans garnered 10,889 votes to Morett’s 9,715. “I’m feeling very grate- ful,” Evans said on Nov. 9. “I think most people watching the national returns last night, and certainly trying to make sense of what we thought we knew based on scientific data, and what turned out to be the results, I’m just grateful for the op- portunity that our volun- teer team put us in.” Evans said more than where things can suddenly be talked about. You can look at a tight, long, hard campaign from two sides. We learned some things, and find out how we can find a few projects on how to make Oregon better and stronger.” Morett said she was dis- appointed at the loss. “But you know, I honestly feel like I still won,” she said. “The people that I met, the generosity that I came across during the full-year process completely impact- ed and changed my life.” Morett said she met life- time friends and people in the community doing silent service, and will cherish those connections made during the campaign. “How could you not love these people?” she said. “These are people I want to be around and be part of.” 60,000 volunteers spent more than 5,000 hours spreading Evans’ message. “The last week or so, the opposition really put some harsh, negative ads out there, and we tried to out- work them and kept focus- ing on our message,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re just grateful that we were able to win despite an uptick in negativity in the end.” Evans plans to build on what he called “lessons learned” in the last session. Among his top priorities is promoting a civics profi- ciency test for high school students. “I know this election was frustrating for many, but a lot of people are paying at- tention to civic affairs be- cause of it,” he said. “Some- times light and heat both provides an environment Morett hadn’t decided as of Monday whether she would give it another go in two years, but did say she plans to get involved some- how, encouraging others to do the same. “I never thought I was going to run for office in the first place,” she said. “It was an amazing experience. I wish everybody would run for some type of office so they could see how many great people who are out there who support you. It was very humbling.” Morett said that while she hates to lose, she feels like she did everything pos- sible to win. “At the end, you can say there’s nothing more I could have done,” she said. “The voters decided they want to give him (Evans) another shot at it.” By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer POLK COUNTY — Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) won a second term serving in Oregon House District’s 23 in the Nov. 8 general election. Nearman prevailed in the four-way race with 17,117 votes (52 percent) to Independent Jim Thompson’s 12,117 (37 per- cent). Pacific Green candidate Alex Polikoff had 1,821 (5 per- cent) and Libertarian Garrett Leeds took 1,335 (4 percent). Polk County’s tally in the race was: Nearman (7,829, 52 percent), Thompson (5,871, 39 percent), Polikoff (622, 4) and Leeds (571, 3 percent). Nearman’s win had him defeating challenger Thompson for a second time. The first came in the 2014 primary in which he unseated Thompson, who was then with the Re- publican Party. Nearman could not be reached for comment following the election, but did post a message to his supporters on his campaign Facebook page, Nearman4Oregon. “This is the fourth contested election that I have run since spring of 2014, and I could not have done it without the sup- port of all the people who put up a lawn sign, made a dona- tion, held a coffee, called me to tell me they were voting for me and, not least, prayed for me,” he wrote. “I am very grate- ful for how each of you impacted my campaign. We, the citi- zens of House District 23, deserve representation that is eth- ical, honest, and fights constantly for your values in Salem.” OBITUARIES Larry Lester Oct. 14, 1936 – Nov. 12, 2016 Larry Lester passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at his home after a long bat- tle with cancer. He was sur- rounded by his family and his wife of 61 years, Deloris. Larry was born to Stanley and Vivian Lester on Oct. 14, 1936, in Loyalton, S.D. He at- tended g r a d e school in Loyalton and later moved to Brookings, S.D., where he graduated from Agricultural School in 1955. While in Brookings, he met his other half and future wife, Deloris, when he became friends with her brother. They were married on June 30, 1955, at the Lutheran Church in White, S.D. In 1956, Larry and Deloris moved to Hawthorne, Calif., where Larry worked for Air Research building hand tools for airplanes. They lived in California until 1959, when Larry was asked to move to Sweet Home to help a relative build the Lester Cedar Board Plant. In March of 1960, Larry and Deloris welcomed their first daughter, Vickie. In 1964, Larry and his brother-in-law, Mar vin Kracke, started Pee Wee Log- ging and contracted with Boise Cascade. Larry and Deloris wel- comed their second daugh- ter, Diane, in December of 1966. In 1967, they moved to Dallas and bought the home on Ellendale, where Larry would spend the rest of his life. Pee Wee Logging was sold in 1981 when Larry and Marvin decided to buy a cat- tle ranch in Baker City. They owned the ranch until 1984, when they were asked to contract with Boise Cascade for road maintenance. This is when LesKrack Inc. was born, and Larry worked in road maintenance until he retired in December 2003. After his retirement, Larry started restoring Farmall tractors in his shop. He fully restored 126 tractors, his fa- vorite being the Super M. His daughter, Diane, made him his own website where he could sell his tractors to people all over the country. His last tractor was finished just weeks before he passed away. Larry enjoyed fishing trips in the ocean and hunting with his grandson, Scott. He took several road trips in recent years to visit his brother, Richard, in South Dakota, and his grand- daughter, Shandi, in Ten- nessee. He loved to watch Larry’s Diner on Saturday nights and take sponta- neous trips to the casino with Deloris. He enjoyed spending time in the woods and knew all the logging roads like the back of his hand. He loved working in his shop and spent many hours there fix- ing tractors and visiting with friends. His friends always knew that when the shop door was open, he was out working on a tractor, and they could stop in for a visit. If you ever called his cell- phone, he might have an- swered with, “It’s your nick- el!” and if you asked him how he was, he probably said, “Still perkin’!” Larry never met a stranger and could strike up a con- versation with anyone he met in any situation. He had a way of making everyone feel like they were a long- lost friend or family member of his. He was known for being hard working and in- credibly generous. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Deloris; daughters, Vickie Brandt and Diane Sigler; granddaughters, Katie Warthen and Shandi Hill; grandson, Scott Brandt; brother, Richard Lester and six great-grandchildren. There will be a celebra- tion of life at the Nesmith Readiness Center on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, at 4 p.m. Please come prepared to laugh and share stories about Larry. He loved a good party. While flowers are wel- come, the family invites mourners to consider a do- nation to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in his honor. Larry Daniel Southwick March 21, 1938-Nov. 3, 2016 Larry Southwick of Brook- i n g s passed away Nov. 3, 2016. He was 78 years old. Larry was b o r n March 21, 1938, in Crofton, Neb., to Herbert and Martha South- wick. He loved the sunshine the great outdoors and was an excellent gardener. Larry was preceded in death by daughter, Cindy Southwick; grandson, Gable Southwick; and great-grand- son, Bailee Candello-South- wick. He is survived by brother, Willard Southwick, of Grants Pass; son, Gordon South- wick, of Dallas; and daugh- ter, Victoria Southwick, of Central Point; as well as sev- eral grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren. Othy T. Sullenger June 4, 1943 – Oct. 21, 2016 Othy T. Sullenger went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 21. He was born to Charles and Lahoma Sullenger. Othy grew up in Dallas and joined the Navy in 1960. He became an auto body re- pairman. He decided to travel, ending up in Michi- gan, where he met and married L o r n a F i n n e y. They had four chil- dren, and moved back to Dallas, where they raised their children. Othy met his best friend and partner, Kathy. They shared 13 years together. Othy was preceded in death by his daughter, Leona, and his parents. He is survived by his part- n e r, Ka t h y T h o m p s o n ; daughter Patricia (Davin) Muller; sons Timothy and Charles (Michelle); Lorna; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Jamie Lee Souter March 23, 1959 – Nov. 7, 2016 Jamie Lee Souter, 57, of Dallas, died on Nov. 7. He is survived by his fa- ther, Jim Souter; and broth- ers, Guy Souter and Rob Souter. Ronald Lynn Ossenkop June 21, 1969 – Nov. 6, 2016 Ronald Lynn Ossenkop, 47, of Monmouth, died Nov. 6 at Salem Hospital. He was born in Emmett, Idaho, to Carl and Sherrill Abercrom- bie. Ronald’s life will be cele- brated privately at a later date. Farnstrom Mortuary han- dled arrangements. Memo- ries and condolences at farnstromMortuary.com. Jean Davids April 9, 1927 – Nov. 10, 2016 Jean Davids, 89, of Dallas, died Thursday in the Dallas Retirement Village. She is survived by hus- band, Hank, of Dallas; daughter, Shirley (Chuck) Blackman, of Dallas, and Susan (Russ) Bergerson, of Washougal, Wash.; along with nine grandchildren: and 19 great-grandchildren; and sister Gladys Zuidema, of California. She was preceded in death by a son Henry Davids Jr. in 2014; brothers John Zuidema and George Richard Zuidema; and a sis- ter Connie Malichuk. Funeral services were held. To leave a message or memory for the family please go to www.dallastrib- ute.com. Mary Eason Joyful Sound Hearing 312 Main Street • Dallas • Hearing Testing • Hearing Aids • Service Call today for your FREE Consultation Mark Sturtevant 503-623-0290 Personally involved and invested in the Dallas community Nov. 26, 1926 – Nov. 12, 2016 Mary Eason, 89, of Dallas, died Saturday at the Dallas Retirement Village. She was born in Los Angeles. She is Welcoming new patients. Most insurance health plans accepted. Also a Moda preferred provider. Sometimes, it’s nice to know that Salem 412 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 581-6265 Low Cost Cremation & Burial Funerals & Memorials No name changes, no staff changes, no buyouts. Plain and simple, we prefer to focus on the things that truly matter: our knowledgeable funeral directors, our affordability, and our values. No surprises, no worries. The service you’ve trusted year after year will be the service you receive for years to come. Discount priced Caskets, Urns and other Memorial items. ©adfinity ~ Polk County’s ONLY Family Owned Funeral Homes and Crematory ~ Simple Direct Cremation $495 Simple Direct Burial $610 Traditional Funeral $2,175 Privately owned cremation facility. Locally owned and operated by Oregon families. www.ANewTradition.com survived by a daughter Deb- orah Burnham, of Dallas. Services are pending with the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. To leave an online tribute: www.dallastribute.com Zita Andrea Locke Aug. 21, 1926 – Nov. 9, 2016 Zita Andrea Locke, 90, died on Nov. 9 in Salem. She is survived by hus- band of 70 years, James L. Locke Sr., of Salem; and son, James L. Locke Jr. (Nancy), of Burlingame, Calif.; and extended family. She was preceded by sibling, Leona Hicks, of Livermore, Calif. Visitation will be Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Funeral service will be Nov. 29 at 1 p.m., both at Farnstrom Mortuary, 410 Monmouth St., Independence. Private interment will be at Hilltop Cemetery. To leave an online tribute: FarnstromMortu- ary.com. Maria Elida Villa Sept. 3, 1934 – Nov. 3, 2016 Maria E. Villa, 82, died on Nov. 3. She is survived by sons, Jose Gloria and Mano Villa; daughters, Marisela Glona, Letty Villa, Elsa M., Rose S., Monica Villa; and nine grandchildren. Viewing will be on Thurs- day from 4 to 8 p.m. at Farn- strom Mortuary in Inde- pendence. Services will be on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Salem Conference Center. Obituary Information Obituary information must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the Monday before publication to be included in the newspaper. Most funeral homes handle obituary information and pro- vide it to the newspaper. How- ever, information can also be submitted directly from family members. Obituaries cost $8 per 25 words (column inch) and in- clude a photo and a flag (for veterans). Obits placed by fam- ily members must be prepaid. Color and black-and-white photos can be submitted, but photos will only be published in black and white. The Itemiz- er-Observer uses a flag logo in the obituaries of people who served in the armed forces. Obituaries — like all infor- mation submitted to the news department — are subject to editing for style, content and length. Information can be brought or mailed to the Itemizer-Ob- server, 147 SE Court St., Dallas, OR 97338, or emailed to ionews@polkio.com. For more information: Emily Mentzer, 503-623-2373.