Rodeo royalty a family aff air
A2
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
By BENNETT HALL
Blue Mountain Eagle
JOHN DAY — You could
say Laramie and Lavina Kiser
have royal blood in their veins.
The 16-year-old Mt. Ver-
non twins, both juniors at
Grant Union High School,
were crowned queen and prin-
cess, respectively, of the 2023
Grant County Fair and Rodeo
Court on Saturday, Nov. 19,
during the Cowboy Christ-
mas Coronation Dinner and
Auction at the Grant County
Fairgrounds.
For the Kiser family, Lara-
mie and Lavina are the latest
in a long line of Grant County
rodeo royalty that stretches
back fi ve generations.
“It feels good because it
feels like we’re carrying on the
tradition,” Queen Laramie said.
“There’s lots of support in our
family.”
She recited the royal lineage,
turning occasionally to her sis-
ter to help fi ll the odd gap in her
memory.
The twins’ older sister,
Kelsei Keiser, was the Grant
County rodeo queen in 2020,
and their mom, Jeanna Deist
Keiser, was a princess in 1993.
Their great-aunt Karen Offi -
cer Burton was queen in 1970,
the year after their grand-
mother Pattie Offi cer Deist was
a princess.
Going
back
further
still, Laramie and Lavina’s
great-grandmother
Janice
Moove Offi cer was a princess
on the 1947 court, and great-
Peter Wesley Van Komen
July 21, 1952 ~ November 2, 2022
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Bennett Hall/Blue Mountain Eagle
Laramie Kiser, left, is the queen of the 2023 Grant County Fair
and Rodeo Court and her twin sister, Lavina Kiser, is the 2023
princess.
great-grandmother Betty Offi -
cer was the 1941 fair and rodeo
queen.
“I think we have two grand
marshals in there somewhere,
but I don’t remember their
names,” Laramie added.
Even by Grant County stan-
dards, that’s quite a run.
“We have multi-generations
here in Grant County (but) this
is probably the longest I’ve
SALEM — Hosting a
Thanksgiving feast for a
party of 10 this month could
cost 20% more than last year,
according to a national sur-
vey from the American Farm
Bureau Federation.
Rheanna Cheyenne Cartner
August 7, 1998 ~ November 11, 2022
Rheanna Cheyenne Cartner, 24,
both of John Day and Seneca’s Be-
loved went to the Lord on November
11, 2022. A celebration of Rheanna’s
life will be held at a later date (date,
time and place) to be announced.
From an early age, Rheanna’s
strong personality showed. Before age
one she was walking. You could say
jump, and she would. She was smart.
By age two-and-a-half her cousin La-
nea taught her to tie her own shoes.
By age three she was sewing, painting,
and running the school classroom.
When Rheanna started playing vol-
leyball she found the absolute love of
her life; she was a good player. As a
sophomore in high school she was already on the varsity volley-
ball team. By senior year she was captain of the volleyball team.
Her team went to state a number of years in a row, placing sec-
ond and third. One year the bus was rear-ended and even though
everyone was all shook up, they still played and placed. Rheanna
also enjoyed and participated in track and basketball. She had
beauty and personality and was a princess on Senior Prom court.
Rheanna started working at a Seneca restaurant at age 16. She
was always a hard worker and later became assistant manager at
the 123 Store in John Day. She also worked at Old West Federal
Credit Union and loved the challenges of the job, her coworkers
and serving the public.
Rheanna traveled twice to Europe, seeing Germany, Pompeii,
Switzerland, Rome, and Paris. She loved these trips so much. She
also went to Washington DC, and at some time she dipped her
toes in the Caribbean. She loved adventure!
Rheanna lost her father when she was two years old. Her
brother Jeremy, who was 18 years older than Rheanna, moved
back home to help the family. They fought at times as siblings do,
but they really loved each other. Rheanna has two half-siblings on
her father’s side; Dustin and Tess Cartner.
Rick Saul came into her life when she was five. He helped raise
her. Rick taught her to hunt and to drive. He was the person she
called when she needed help. He was her rock and was always
involved in her life.
Her aunt, Pam Francis, was always there for her as well. Ev-
eryone in Seneca had a place in their heart for her. She was Renee
Nelson’s baby doll. She also had a large extended family, Katie
Saul, Wayne Saul, and Jeremy’s children Kyla and Carissa Parker.
Rheanna was proud to be a great aunt. Her cousin Pam’s children
Lanea and Kevin were also in her life.
There was so much good in Rheanna. So many things she
loved, so many people that she loved, and who loved her. Lit-
tle things, like loving deviled eggs. Bigger things like loving the
beach and watching the ocean. She loved every little thing about
Christmas including passing out the presents. She also liked to
cook and hang out with friends. She especially loved her two
close friends Keila and Emma Kate.
Rheanna, like her grandma Patty, loved, loved, loved jewelry
and bling. Her aged 1950s vanity was full of her jewelry and her
makeup. She loved all animals, especially her dogs Kenai, Pitch
and Flippy. She loved octopuses, snakes and quail, marbles and
rocks.
Rheanna was fearless and funny, loving, honest, and wild. She
was occasionally mean. She had piercings and tattoos and loved
with her whole heart.
Rheanna is survived by her mother, Tammy Cartner, father
Rick Saul; siblings, Jeremy, Katie, Wayne, Tess, Dustin, Billie Hol-
liday; aunties Pamela, Jodi, Cindy, Cody, Shawna; uncles Curtis,
Jerry, Dale, Bill, Duke, Randy, George; godparent Barb Northing-
ton; honorary godparents Steve and Shannon Harvey; special
friends Nancy, Suzie, the Holliday family and many, many more.
For all the loves in her life, from birth until now, you will always
be loved by her and forever in her heart. Rest in eternal peace, our
beautiful love. We will all miss you.
Those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory
of Rheanna may do so to help defray funeral services either on the
Go Fund Me page or through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home &
Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online
condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.
com. Paid for by the family of Rheanna Cartner.
Last Week’s Temps
John Day ...........................................................HI/LO
Wednesday ..................................................... 47/22
Thursday .......................................................... 38/18
Friday ............................................................... 39/17
Saturday .......................................................... 42/18
Sunday ............................................................. 45/23
Monday............................................................ 45/28
Tuesday ........................................................... 43/29
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Dinner and Auction drew 165
people and raised $16,406 to
help cover travel, clothing and
other expenses for the Kiser sis-
ters as they represent the county
at appearances throughout the
state and the Northwest.
St. Helens Beef donated the
meat for the tri-tip dinner, with
other food items donated by
Chester’s Market and The Out-
post Pizza Pub & Grill. Toni
Clark did the cooking, and the
Snaffl e Bit staff ed the no-host
bar.
Table sponsors were 1st
Choice Auto Body, John Day
River Veterinary Center, Blue
Mountain Hospital, Long Creek
Mercantile, Solutions CPAs,
Loop Ranch, Grant Union
Future Business Leaders of
America, Frontier Equipment,
Grant County Stockgrowers,
Iron Triangle and Ed Staub &
Sons.
Thanksgiving feast costs 20% more
By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN
Capital Press
It is with deep sadness we announce
the loss of our father Peter Wesley Van
Komen, age 70, of Ellensburg, Washing-
ton. He died unexpectedly on November
2, 2022 after suffering a major heart
attack and spending a week in the ICU
at Yakima Memorial Hospital. He was
surrounded by family and showered in
love, as he peacefully passed away into
the next life.
He was known to his family and
friends as Pete and was the oldest of three children. He was born
on July 21st, 1952, in Soap Lake, Washington, to Lyle Van Komen
and Allene “Tiny” Van Komen. Growing up, he lived in Nevada and
Idaho, before moving back to Washington during his high school
years. Pete attended Quincy High School and graduated with the
class of 1971. He went on to earn an associate’s degree from a
community college in Spokane, where he studied mechanics.
In 1983 Pete married Julie Bowman Van Komen, in Winnemuc-
ca, Nevada, and it wasn’t long before they moved to the small
town of George, Washington. While working to support his young
family, Pete was actively involved in the George City Council and
George Jaycees, a volunteer organization responsible for acts of
charity such as building a fence to increase safety at the local
school. Pete was later elected mayor of George where he dedicat-
ed four years, two consecutive terms, to running the city.
Pete was known as leader, entrepreneur, and community
builder. His exceptional talent for communication and negotia-
tion eventually led him to move into sales and hay brokering. He
made a name for himself in the Columbia Basin as he built out his
network of farmers and ranchers across the Pacific Northwest.
In 1993 he took his expertise and love for the hay business and
moved his family to the Kittitas Valley. In Ellensburg he continued
to grow his hay business, making new connections, developing
life-long friendships, and discovering new business opportuni-
ties.
If you knew Pete, you know he was one of the hardest workers
you will ever meet. Pete survived a plane crash in 1993, leaving
him with a laundry-list of injuries that he carried for the rest of his
life. Despite his injuries, he would not keep away from his work
for too long. Even after his battle with diabetes and ultimately
losing his leg and both feet, he still worked every day he could.
Pete was always determined and known to be a “fighter” by his
friends and family. He refused to give up, even when the odds
were stacked against him. This “fighter spirit” served him well
throughout his life.
Pete watched over his family and those around him, serving
as a protector and provider for all of his loved ones. Pete was
known to play the “sugarloaf claw machines” and often gave away
his winnings. Pete would give the shirt off his back to those in
need, then claim he was too warm anyways. Pete was there for
anyone that needed help and wanted work, especially those that
were down on their luck. He is going to be missed by his family,
friends, and community. Pete truly touched the lives of so many
individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life.
Pete was predeceased by his father, Lyle Van Komen, his
mother, Allene “Tiny” Van Komen; and his younger brother, John
Van Komen.
Pete is survived by his life-long partner, Julie Van Komen; his
sister, Debbie Van Komen; his five children, Kaylene, Karli, Steph-
anie, Brian and Wesley; his 14 grandchildren, Kabrina, Terrell,
Arianna, Alexia, Brycen, Tayshaun, Jayden, Kyhden, Kyler, Liliana,
Kyrstin, Wyatt, Mason & Jase; and his one great-granddaughter,
Lorraine.
Pete was baptized into the LDS church in the last few years
of his life, and sometimes attended services at the Foursquare
church in Ellensburg.
Please send any flowers or cards for the sevice to Brookside
Funeral Home, 500 E. Mountain View Ave. Ellensburg, WA 98926
by Friday, December 2.
We would love for those who knew him to remember his life
with us at 11am on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022. Services will
be held at the Ellensburg LDS Church, 808 South Magnolia Street,
Ellensburg, WA 98926. Casual attire is okay. Online condolenc-
es may be made to the family at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Paid for by the family of Pete Van Komen.
seen,” Fair Manager Mindy
Winegar said.
Tinka Oliver, the 2023 Grant
County Fair and Rodeo Parade
grand marshal, was also intro-
duced at the event, which fea-
tured a tri-tip dinner and live,
silent and dessert auctions.
“Tinka has been in Grant
County for well over 50 years,”
Winegar said. “She has been in
agriculture her whole life.”
Oliver ran the Oliver Ranch
near Seneca with her late hus-
band, J.C., and the couple were
known as staunch supporters
of the Grant County Fair and
Rodeo, Winegar said.
The 2023 Grant County Fair
will run Aug. 9-12. The ICA
Prime Rodeo is scheduled for
Aug. 4 and 5 at the fairgrounds,
and the Grant County Junior
Rodeo will take place Aug. 6.
Winegar said this year’s
Cowboy Christmas Coronation
The survey found U.S.
consumers will pay, on aver-
age, $64.05 for a Thanksgiv-
ing meal for 10, up from last
year’s average of $53.31.
The estimates are based
on a meal including turkey,
stuffing, pie crusts, pump-
kin pie with whipped cream,
coffee with milk, dinner
rolls with butter, peas, sweet
potatoes, vegetables, cran-
berries and miscellaneous
ingredients.
Prices vary by region. The
cost for a classic Thanksgiv-
ing meal will be most afford-
able in the South, at $58.42,
followed by the Northeast at
$64.02, Midwest at $64.26
and West at $71.37.
Several factors have con-
tributed to the increased meal
cost, said AFBF chief econo-
mist Roger Cryan.
Infl ation is a major factor.
General infl ation has recently
run between 7% to 9%, and
the latest Consumer Price
Index report showed the price
of food consumed at home
has increased 12% over the
past year.
Supply chain disruptions
and the war in Ukraine have
also spiked food prices.
The turkey — the center-
piece of many Thanksgiv-
ing dinners — will gobble up
much of the holiday budget
this year for reasons beyond
infl ation. The Farm Bureau
estimates a 16-pound bird
will cost $28.96 this year,
or $1.81 per pound, up 21%
from last year.
The higher cost can be
attributed to “a slightly
smaller fl ock this year,
increased feed costs and
lighter processing weights,”
said Cryan.
The overall flock is
smaller because highly
pathogenic avian influenza
this year killed more than 6
million turkeys, according to
USDA.
By August, turkey produc-
tion was down 9.4% from a
year earlier and processing
weights fell below normal
levels as growers marketed
younger birds.
Although
the
Farm
Bureau’s price-check survey
Oct. 18-31 found the going
price for a 16-pound turkey
to be $28.96, that was before
most grocery stores started
featuring whole frozen tur-
keys at lower prices, so econ-
omists say shoppers should
be able to fi nd cheaper birds
now.
Though consumers face
steeper costs, economists
say higher food prices don’t
always translate into higher
farm profi ts.
According to USDA’s
latest Agricultural Prices
report, compared to Septem-
ber 2021, farmers this Sep-
tember received higher prices
for grain, dairy, poultry and
many vegetables. However,
farmers
simultaneously
faced rising input costs,
paying year-over-year 20%
more for feed, 30% more
for fertilizer, 45% more
for chemicals, 28% more
for fuels and 15% more for
machinery.
“Farmers are work-
ing hard to meet growing
demands for food — both
here in the U.S. and globally
— while facing rising prices
for fuel, fertilizer and other
inputs,” said Cryan.
Farmers also generally
receive a small slice of each
food dollar.
For every dollar Amer-
icans spent on Thanks-
giving meals last Novem-
ber, farmers and ranchers
earned about 11.5 cents, the
National Farmers Union cal-
culated, and nearly every
year, the farmer’s share of
the food dollar shrinks.
About a decade ago,
according to USDA, Amer-
ican farmers received 17.6
cents of every $1 consum-
ers spent on food. This year,
a USDA statement said “just
14 cents of the food dollar go
to producers on average.”
ANNIVERSARY
Les and Sharon Martin
Les and Sharon Martin
of Mt. Vernon celebrated
their 65th wedding anniver-
sary on Nov. 15, just days
after the birth of their sec-
ond great-grandchild, Ethan
James Martin, to Joshua and
Kayla Martin of Tigard.
CORRECTIONS
The Blue Mountain Eagle strives to ensure accuracy. If you
see an error in one of our stories, please contact us at editor@
bmeagle.com or 541-575-0710.
W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF N OV . 23-29
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