Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 6, 2019 -- THREE
Obituaries
Mary Ann Jensen
Palmer
Geraldine Joann
Brosnan Weister
Geraldine Joann Bros- through 1971, when the
nan Weister, 79, passed family moved to the Port-
away peacefully on Thurs- land area, where she raised
day, October 24 with family her children.
members by her side
Joann was
at Pioneer Memorial
employed by Fred
Hospital. A graveside
Meyer as a corpo-
memorial service will
rate accountant for
be held Saturday, No-
25 years in Port-
vember 9 at 11 a.m. at
land, before retir-
the cemetery at Vin-
ing to Heppner.
son, OR. Following the Geraldine
During her retire-
burial, a meal will be Joann
ment, she worked
shared at the Heppner Brosnan
part time at Mur-
Elks Lodge at 1 p.m. Weister
ray Drug and did
She was born
bookkeeping to
in Heppner to Jerry and stay busy.
Marian Good Brosnan on
She enjoyed water ski-
December 5, 1939. Joann ing, snow skiing, camping
grew up with three broth- and reading. Her greatest
ers, John, Eddie and Dan joy was spending time with
on the family’s six-gener- her children, five grandchil-
ation ranch on Little Butter dren and her great grand-
Creek. She was said to have son.
enjoyed ranch life, especial-
Survivors include her
ly riding horses.
brother Dan Brosnan and
Joann attend school his wife Doris; her chil-
in Heppner and graduated dren, Craig Robison and
from Heppner High School his wife Meg of Gresham,
in 1958 as class valedicto- Susie Thompson and her
rian. She earned a trip to husband Brian of Heppner,
Girls State as a delegate, Shawn Robison and his
and after winning a speech wife Lisa of Vancouver,
contest, she earned a 6,000- WA; grandchildren, Ash-
mile trip across the country ley Maddox and her hus-
to visit the United Nations band Jake, Dr. Emily Jack
in New York. She was also and her husband Keenan,
honored to represent the Stephen Thompson, Katie
Morrow County Rodeo as Robison and Kyle Robison
a princess after graduation. and great-grandson Elijah
She then attended Oregon Maddox.
State University on an ac-
Memorial contributions
ademic scholarship.
may be made to Willow
Joann wed Leland Ro- Creek Valley Assisted Liv-
bison in 1959 and had three ing, 400 Frank Gilliam
children, Craig, Susan and Drive, Heppner, Oregon
Shawn. She was later mar- 97836.
ried to Norman Weister.
You may sign the on-
She was employed line condolence book at
Judith R. Rickert, 76, quilting, playing cards and by Carl Spaulding, CPA www.sweeneymortuary.
of Sheboygan Falls, WI, Mahjong, her wiener dog in Heppner from 1961 com.
passed away on Tuesday, and cat.
J u d i t h i s s u r-
October 22, 2019,
vived by one sister,
at her home. Ju-
ed his festive day to the
D a i s y ( N o r m a n ) By Doris Brosnan
dith was born on
What
a
delightful
event
recent celebrations when
Cook of Sheboygan
April 16, 1943, in
Willow
Creek
Terrace
en-
he celebrated his birthday
Falls; three brothers,
LaCrosse, daugh-
joyed
on
October
26.
Ray-
yesterday. His neighbors
Charles Schwantes of
ter of Leonard and
mond
and
Norma
French
were happy to share one of
Washington, David
Margaret (Semlar)
rd
celebrated
their
73
wed-
his favorite meals with him
Schwantes of Alaska
Schwa n t e s. S he
Judith R.
ding
anniversary
in
grand
and family.
and Thomas (Lila)
was a 1961 gradu- Rickert
style.
Their
local
families
Next Thursday, No-
Schwantes of Alas-
ate of Spencer High
hosted
a
catered
prime-rib
vember
7, some residents
ka; one sister- in-law,
School.
dinner
for
the
Frenches,
will
travel
to Heppner High
On January 31, 1969, Karen Ziemkowski of Min-
their
Terrace
neighbors
and
School
for
the 10:30 pro-
she married William Nor- nesota; nieces and neph-
the
staff.
The
hosts
person-
gram
that
will
honor Amer-
man Rickert in Sitka, Alas- ews; great nieces and great
ally
served
the
approxi-
ican
veterans.
Presently,
ka. William preceded her nephews; step children,
mately
40
guests.
Everyone
Raymond
French,
Glen
in death on May 5,1984. step grandchildren and step
viewed
this
first-time
occa-
Ward
and
Ernie
McCabe
Judith was employed as great grandchildren.
are the three honorees who
Judith was preceded in sion as one to remember.
a custodian for Morrow
Halloween
served
as
live at the Terrace. Their
County, OR for six years. death by her husband of 15
another
happy
October
oc-
service will again be ac-
She was a member of St. years, William; her parents;
casion,
beginning
with
the
knowledged by the commu-
Luke Lutheran Church in one sister, Carolyn Nunley;
body-parts
luncheon
menu
nity on the hill on Monday,
the Town of Sheboygan two brothers, infant Elmer
(only
imaginary,
readers,
November 11.
Falls where she was active and Mike Schwantes; a sis-
so
relax)
that
worried
a
few
Beginning on the 17 th ,
in the Women’s Group. She ter-in-law, Terri Schwantes;
and
then
the
pumpkin-deco-
“
N
a
tional Homemade
was a member of the Amer- a brother-in-law, Duane
rating
that
HHS
intern
Sage
Bread
Day,” the kitchen
ican Legion Auxiliary and Ziemkowski and a niece,
organized
with
the
help
of
aroma
will
begin exuding
the Sheboygan Falls Se- Stacy Schwantes.
Danni
Smith
and
her
son,
the
mouth-watering
aroma
nior Center. Judith enjoyed
Sam, and daughter, Gra- of fresh-baked bread more
cie. (The Smiths continue often. As the bakers cre-
to show up at the Terrace ate loaves for the menus,
Lori L. Abell Cripe – Lori L. Abell Cripe of Lex- on Tuesday as volunteers they will also be baking
ington was born on April 23, 1961 in San Diego, CA. interested in helping with extra loaves for the freezer.
She died October 30 in Heppner at the age of 58 years. a variety of needs.) The These will be shared with
fun continued for the par- neighbors on the “Tie one
Arrangements are pending.
Please share memories of Lori with her family at ticipants who donned their on Day,” on November
burnsmortuaryhermiston.com. Burns Mortuary of Herm- Halloween t-shirts and 27, and will be available
greeted the trick-or-treat- for some of the special
iston is in care of arrangements.
ers who dared to venture to holiday occasions coming
Mycal A. Osmin – Mycal A. Osmin, 72 of Heppner, the hill. Over twenty-five up. Also, a constant on
died Wednesday, October 30 at Hermiston. She was born costumed cute and/or scary the Wednesday menus are
September 3, 1947 at Baker City, OR. No service is being bodies represented a record homemade cookies and the
planned at this time.
number for the Terrace.
cookie-makers will be mak-
Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner is in care of arrangements.
Raul Silva contribut- ing bigger batches in the
coming weeks to be shared
at some of the Terrace’s
special events.
A strong interest of the
staff and a focus this month
is the growing need for care
of individuals diagnosed
with dementia. Readers are
invited to join the Terrace
– from the comfort of their
homes - on November 19
for an internet webinar,
(seminar) sponsored by
Positive Approach to Care.
Entitled “Ask Anything
About Dementia!” the 7
Mary Ann Jensen Palm- several years.
Mary Ann was a mem-
er, longtime Ione resident,
died Thursday, October 31 ber of the Ione community
at Heppner. A funeral ser- Church where she taught
vice will be held Monday, Sunday School and was
November 11 at 1 p.m. at their secretary/treasurer
as well as serving
the Ione Community
as a deaconess for
Church with conclud-
a number of years
ing service and buri-
as well as serving
al at the High View
on the Memorial
Cemetery in Ione.
Committee and the
She was born at
Hospitality Com-
Portland, OR on No-
mittee. As a mem-
vember 17, 1934, the
ber of the Willows
daughter of Harold Mary Ann
Jensen
Grange she served
and Bernice Nogows- Palmer
as Lady Assistant
ki Jensen. Her father,
for several years, as
Harold, died in 1936
and Bernice married Lin- well as Home Ec. chairman
coln Nash in 1938. Lincoln and treasurer.
Survivors include her
was the only father she
four daughters, Barbara
knew.
Mary Ann was raised in Zeller and her husband
Hood River before moving Norm of Ione, Donna Riet-
to Heppner in the eighth mann and her husband Joe
grade. She graduated from also of Ione, Debora Wood
Heppner High School and her husband Dan of
in 1953. While in high Hermiston, Anita Pranger
school Mary Ann worked and her husband David of
in the Heppner Laundry, Heppner; brother, Lyle Jen-
Mary Vans Flower Shop sen of La Grande; sisters,
and Court St. Market. Af- Shirley Conner of Heppner,
ter graduation she started Rose Gott, of Hanford, CA,
working for 1 st National nine grandchildren and
nine great-grandchildren.
Bank in Heppner.
On February 26, 1957 She was preceded in death
she married Marion Lee by her father, mother and
Palmer at Heppner. The stepfather.
Memorial contributions
couple spent their mar-
ried life in Ione. Mary Ann may be made to the Ione
worked as the head cook at Community Church, PO
the Ione School where she Box 346, Ione, OR.
The online condolence
retired after working there
for over 20 years. She was book is available at Swee-
chaperone for the Morrow neymortuary.com.
County Rodeo Court for
Judith R. Rickert
A View from the Hill
Death Notices
ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE:
MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
~ Letters to the Editor ~
The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following
criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name
of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you
provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The
address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be
printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the
right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in
letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under
“Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10.
Delighted to see good
manners
To the Editor:
We treated fewer cos-
tumed little people (and
some bigger ones, as well)
this Halloween, but the
ones who came to our door
were, with very few ex-
ceptions I think I could
count on one hand, having
a good time and were so
respectful and polite. They
were taking time to say,
“Thank you” and to wish us
a “Happy Halloween.” How
delightful to see in action
good manners at tender
ages and good manners still
exhibited by the teenagers
who joined the fun.
If vandalism was a
problem anywhere in Hep-
pner, I feel doubly fortu-
nate. (I am so hopeful that
none occurred.) My hat is
off to the adults who are
teaching the young people
to be respectful, kind and
thankful. My hat is off to
the young people who are
practicing what they are
being taught.
Thank you,
Doris Brosnan
Heppner
Response to $10.3M
county retirement
shortfall
To the editor:
This letter is in re-
sponse to the recent ar-
ticle published Oct. 23,
2019 regarding Morrow
County’s retirement fund.
The article quoted County
Commissioner Don Russell
saying the retirement fund
has a $10.3 million-dollar
unfunded liability. What
that means is that if all the
county employees retired at
once the county would be
short $10.3M in the retire-
ment fund to satisfy its ob-
ligations. We all know that
this is an unlikely scenario.
Morrow County has
many loyal and dedicated
employees who are work-
ing here for less money
than they could make in
the private market. One of
the benefits though, that
keeps many here is the
retirement package offered
upon employment. This
retirement package is only
part of the overall compen-
sation package an employee
receives. Wages and health
care benefits also contribute
to this package.
Morrow County’s re-
tirement plan is not PERS,
never has been PERS and
is not modeled after PERS.
Employee positions are
rated by a classification sys-
tem considering the three
next higher and three next
lower county compensation
packages within the state.
The compensation package
for these positions include
mainly wages, health bene-
fits and retirement. Should
the current retirement sys-
tem be adjusted to help
alleviate the current deficit?
Possibly.
Current county em-
ployees should not have to
bear this potential reduction
to the compensation pack-
age they were promised at
time of employment.
Respectfully,
Dave Pranger
Your county road crew
to 8:30 p.m. live program
is an opportunity to ad-
dress questions to a certified
trainer. This opportunity
will prove extremely useful
to the at-home caregiv-
ers faced with this need.
Readers are invited now to
use their computers, smart-
phones or tablets to register
at oregoncarepartners.com,
following cues through a
registration form, for which
they will receive confirma-
tion. A reminder email will
be sent one hour before the
start time with a link to join
the webinar. More details
are available on the Willow
Creek Terrace Facebook
page and information is
also available by calling
541-676-0004.
Also available by call-
ing that Terrace number
is information about the
apartments, of which two
are now available. Admin-
istrator Nairns and staff
members are eager to an-
swer questions and/or to
schedule a visit to the Ter-
race.
Thanksgiving nears the
end of November this year,
so everyone will have had
many days to anticipate the
traditional turkey-with-all-
the-trimmings dinner that
will be served to residents
and their family guests. Of
course, residents who travel
to the homes of family or
friends will head back to
the hill for the delicious
leftovers-menus.
Just two days later, on
November 30, Floss Wat-
kins will celebrate her birth-
day by sharing one of her
favorite meals with family
members and her neigh-
bors. These special occa-
sions, especially birthdays,
are viewed by residents as
important to life on the hill.
TIME TO INSULATE
YOUR WATER METER!
PROTECT YOUR METER FROM FREEZING
BEFORE THE TEMPERATURES DROP
Insulation
Frozen uninsulated
available at meters will be repaired
Pettyjohn's by the city for $75 +
for $2.00.
material costs
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR
NEED HELP ACCESSING YOUR METER
PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY AT 541-676-
9620 OR STOP BY CITY HALL.