Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 9, 2020 -- THREE
Obituaries
Betty Ann Gerking Suzanne Lieuallen
Jepsen
Roach
Death finally called
Betty Ann Gerking Roach
on Wednesday, December
2, 2020. She had reached
the age of 99, her vision was
poor, and she was ready to
meet her Savior. A grave-
side service will
be held Thursday,
December 10,
2020 at 1 p.m.,
at Olney Cem-
etery in Pendle-
ton. She will be
buried next to her Betty Ann
husband, Fred. Gerking
Roach
Betty Ann
Gerking was born
in Heppner October 11,
1921, to Mart Braden and
Lillis Slaughter Gerking.
She was named Betty Ann
after Granddad Slaughter’s
sister Betty and Braden’s
sister Ann.
At the age of nine days,
she traveled with her par-
ents by team to Hot Springs,
OR. A post office, general
store, a big hotel and also
a dance hall were located
there.
Betty had one sibling,
a younger brother, Clark,
who passed away in 2005.
She rode four miles to
a one-room school at Three
Mile from the first through
the fifth grade. Then her
parents rented a ranch clos-
er to Ritter and she finished
the eighth grade at Ritter
School. She then board-
ed at St. Joseph Academy
in Pendleton, graduating
from high school there in
1942. The high school she
attended was taught by nuns
and Betty worked her way
through school by cleaning
for the nuns. She also sold
Cloverine Salve during her
school years and after she
married.
Betty grew up on the
banks of Eight Mile Creek,
where she learned to ride,
rope and handle a team.
She spent many hours in
the fields. Her dad had land
across the North Fork of the
John Day River and as she
grew older, she did a lot
of riding after the cattle,
packing out salt and other
chores.
She developed quite a
reputation as a horsewom-
an. Like her father who
was a rodeo rider for many
years, she spent many hours
on horseback and was well-
known for her skill. Her
favorite horse was Polka
Dot. She attended her first
rodeo in 1932, when she
was 11 years old.
Betty studied and re-
ceived a certificate from
the Berry School of Horse-
manship. She also went to
Weather Bureau School
in Seattle, WA. Then she
worked as a filing clerk
for the Thirteenth Naval
District.
On March 4, 1944, Bet-
ty married Raleigh Weav-
er. They moved back to
Ritter country and worked
on various ranches. They
divorced on December 3,
1962 and she married Fred
Roach. She and Fred trav-
eled extensively due to
Fred’s occupation shearing
sheep and falling timber.
They made their home at
Elk City, ID for five years
then moved to Hermiston
and bought acreage as Fred
had a job shearing feed-
lot-lambs. They also
raised orphan lambs and
calves.
They later sold the
place in Hermiston and
moved to Boardman
to care for Betty’s par-
ents. After the death
of her parents in 1973,
they sold the holdings in
Boardman and moved to
Helix. Again, they sold and
moved up to the Wenatchee
River area, Leavenworth.
They stayed there one win-
ter and decided there was
too much snow so moved
back to Buck Gulch on the
Middle Fork of the John
Day River. After several
moves, they settled in Fos-
sil to make their final home.
Fred passed on December
28, 1995.
In 1998 a life-long
friend, Frank Andrus, came
up and stayed with Betty.
She took care of him up
until his death on Novem-
ber 15, 2002. Betty con-
tinued to live by herself
until she became ill and
moved to Haven House
Retirement Center in 2009.
There, Betty joined in on
activities, church services,
Bible study, bowling, bin-
go, etc., even up to the last
two weeks of her life.
Although Betty had no
children of her own, she
became a “mom” figure
to her husband’s grand-
children and to children
belonging to friends and
other family. One of them,
Penny Baldwin, became
like a daughter to her and
she and Penny became very
close, sharing everything
from sewing hints to Betty’s
personal history. Frequent
visits from Bill and Kath-
leen, Lorie and Zenith were
always welcome at Betty’s
place.
She is survived by
many friends, both within
her church, Fossil United
Methodist, where she was
baptized, and outside of it.
“Betty will be missed. She
was a good friend to us all,”
a spokesperson said.
Memorial contributions
may be made to Haven
House Retirement Center,
PO Box 386, Fossil, OR
97830.
Sweeney Mortuary of
Heppner is in care of ar-
rangements. You may sign
the online condolence book
at www.sweeneymortuary.
com.
Suzanne Lieuallen worms Club, helping se-
Jepsen, 92, peacefully en- niors at Willow Creek Ter-
tered the Lord’s presence race and kids at AWANA
Bible Club,
on November 28, 2020.
women’s Bible
She was born October 26,
studies, bridge
1928, the second of two
club, birthday
children to Cecil “Buck”
club and ex-
and Violet (Hynd) Lieual-
ercise classes.
len. For over 65 years
“She leaves
she was the loving and Suzanne
a heritage of
supportive wife of Bob Lieuallen
Christian faith
Jepsen, who preceded her Jepsen
for her family
in death on July 19, 2016.
Suzanne grew up in and was an inspirational
Pendleton, but spent many example of prayer, grace,
summers visiting cousin class, and hospitality,” her
Doris at the Hynd Brothers’ family reported.
Those left to cher-
Ranch at Cecil and summer
pastures near Heppner and ish her memories are her
Ukiah. As a teen, she had a daughter, Susan Bullington
dramatic role in the annual of Umatilla; son, Bill (Nan-
Happy Canyon Pageant. cy) of Enterprise and six
She played the part of a grandchildren: Brad (Tra-
pioneer woman captured cy) Bullington, Matthew
by the natives, who escaped (Erin) Jepsen, Daniel (Beth-
by jumping off a cliff and any) Jepsen, Eric (Caitlin)
racing away on horseback. Jepsen, Amy (Tyler) Schaf-
After graduating from feld, and Rebecca (Richard)
Pendleton High School in Matthews. Also 11 great
1946, she put her riding grandchildren: Blake and
skills to further use as a Brody Bullington, Natalie,
Pendleton Round-up Prin- Seth, Cody, Abi, Laurelee,
cess. She then attended Anna, Cecily and Adelaide
what is now known as Or- Jepsen, and Whitney, Jacey
egon State University for and Tessa Schaffeld. She
a year before taking a job was preceded in death by
in a local doctor’s office. her parents, brother, Frank
During this time, she met and husband, Bob.
A Celebration of Life
her husband-to-be, Bob
Jepsen of Ione, while skiing will be held on Sunday, De-
at Spout Springs. Suzanne cember 13 at 1 p.m. at Wil-
fell and broke her arm, and low Creek Baptist Church
Bob, who was on ski patrol in Heppner, followed by
that day, came to her rescue. a graveside service at the
The relationship took off Heppner Masonic Cem-
from there and led to their etery. Because seating is
wedding on June 25, 1951. limited to 50 people in the
T h e y o u n g c o u p l e church due to Covid restric-
moved to the wheat ranch tions, the memorial service
near Rhea Creek where will be live streamed on
Bob had been farming. Facebook at the Willow
While there, they were Creek Baptist – Heppner
blessed with two children, page. The service and pro-
Susan and Bill. In addition gram will also remain on the
to helping on the farm, as Facebook page and can be
the children grew older, viewed at any time. Those
Suzanne started working who would like to attend in
in Heppner for Dr. Wolff, person are asked to call Bill
and later supervised senior Jepsen at 541-571-2380 so
meal sites for a multi-coun- a headcount can be kept.
ty area. When Bob retired If the maximum allowed
from farming in 1991, they number is met, the service
moved into Heppner. She will also be available on
devoted much of her time 88.1 FM radio in the church
to church and community parking lot. There will be
activities and was instru- plenty of space to attend the
mental in building the Wil- graveside service.
Memorial contribu-
low Creek Terrace Assisted
Living Facility. She and tions can be made to one of
Bob especially enjoyed Suzanne’s longtime favor-
attending the grandkids’ ite charities, the Salvation
Army at 150 SE Emigrant
music and sports events.
Suzanne loved her Sav- Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801,
ior, Jesus Christ. She de- or online at https://pendle-
lighted in her grandchildren ton.salvationarmy.org/
Sweeney Mortuary of
and the great grandchildren
who called her “Grandma Heppner is in care of ar-
GG.” Up until the age of rangements. You may sign
89, when she entered as- the online condolence book
sisted living, Suzanne was at www.sweeneymortuary.
involved in a wide variety com.
of activities: golfing, Book-
Marriage Licenses
The Morrow County
Clerk’s office has released
the following report of
marriage licenses:
November 12, 2020: -
Derek Justin Williams, 33,
Irrigon and Caryn Gerifaye
Seely, 29, Irrigon.
November 18, 2020:
- Luis Felipe Lopez, 27,
Boardman and Erika Tlapa-
nco Estrella, 26, Boardman.
November 19, 2020:
- Ramon Araiza Gutierrez,
Jr., 50, Boardman and Gra-
ciela Medina Navarro, 51,
Boardman.
ALL NEWS AND
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The Lube Shop
15% off all December!
Veterans & First Responders
always receive 10% discount
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Call for appointment - 541-676-0438
148 E Center Street, Heppner
Garnett Elizabeth
Huddleston
Garnett Elizabeth Hud- tlewomen and St. Patrick
dleston passed peacefully at Catholic Church and Altar
the age of 91, on December Society.
Garnett and Tom raised
1, 2020 in Salem, OR. She
was born March 19, 1929 eight children: Callie, Mike,
in Condon, OR to John and Steve, John, Molly, Mark,
Mae Burns. She attended Howard and Patty.
Garnett was preceded
school in Condon and met
in death by her hus-
Tom Huddleston in
band, Tom, and son,
high school there.
Steve, three broth-
They were married
ers and one sister.
in Pendleton, OR at
She is survived by
St. Mary’s Catholic
her remaining chil-
Church on Sept. 8, Garnett
dren, numerous
1949.
Elizabeth
The couple lived Huddleston grandchildren and
great-grandchildren,
a short time in Pend-
leton, then moved to Herm- and her only remaining
iston and lived there 23 sibling, Ethel.
Memorial contributions
years, raising hay and mel-
ons. In 1975 they moved to can be made to St. Patrick’s
Heppner and lived there 32 Caholic Church, PO Box
years, first on a wheat ranch 633, Heppner, OR 97836.
Garnett was laid to rest
and then moved into town.
Garnett enjoyed many next to her husband, Tom,
hunting and fishing trips in Heppner, OR. Assist-
with Tom. She enjoyed ing the family is Virgil T.
her volunteer work with Golden Funeral Service of
county fair booths, election Salem.
board, Morrow County Cat-
Business Speak
Support your fellow
business
By Greg Smith
We’ve talked in previous articles
about ways to improve sales during this
wild rollercoaster ride we’re on. Here are
more ideas which may not only benefit Greg Smith
your bottom line but help give another
business a boost.
It begins by thinking outside the box. Perhaps instead
of seeing another business as a competitor, think of them
as another potential customer and be creative about work-
ing together. Consider the following:
-Initiate an after-hours Zoom call inviting a variety of
different business owners. Brainstorm on ways you can
cross-promote and directly support each other. Much of
what you can do won’t cost a penny.
-Write a positive review or testimonial on social
media. Talk about a great item they carry or a specialty
service they offer and post a picture on your Facebook
page (personal and business). Ask them to the same.
-Go live on Facebook. Share the name of your favorite
restaurant and suggest a special menu item. Maybe send
a gift card from your business to a standout server.
-Consider a mini “shop-hop” in which customers are
entered to win a gift basket featuring items from each
establishment.
-Cross-market gift items. Perhaps your killer gour-
met marinades and sauces are offered at a specialty meat
market across town.
Obviously, the goal is to generate more revenue for
your business, but do not be afraid to work together. It’s
not about giving a fellow entrepreneur a competitive
edge. It’s helping ensure that as many businesses in your
community survive as possible.
Finally, most people are more committed than ever
to shopping locally. Vibrant businesses working together
have a better chance of anchoring customers. Also, by
showing your own support both as a business owner
and private individual, you’ll garner goodwill and help
ensure the business community—which includes your
own company—will have a brighter holiday and future.
Greg Smith is the director of the Eastern Oregon
University Small Business Development Center located
at 1607 Gekeler Lane, Room 148 in La Grande, OR.
If you are seeking free, confidential business advising,
please call 541-962-1532 or email eousbdc@gmail.com.
Justice Court Report
Morrow County Justice
of the Peace, Glen Diehl,
has released the following
Justice Court report:
- Chad L Hoyt, 41,
Hermiston, OR, was con-
victed of violation of basic
rule, fine $165.
-William D Downs, 25,
Clarlisle, PA, was convicted
of violation of basic rule,
fine $165 and violation of
basic rule (2 nd cite), fine
$165.
-Faye S Burke, 71,
Grants Pass, OR, was con-
victed of game violation,
fine $440.
-Aleea A Strouse, 38,
Hermiston, OR, was con-
victed of violation of basic
rule, fine $265.
-Jesse A Corbin, 24,
Heppner, was convicted of
violation of basic rule, fine
$265.
-Brandon J Nickell, 30,
Snider, TX, was convicted
of violation of basic rule,
fine $165.
-Lorenzo D Alvarado,
23, Vancouver, WA, was
convicted of violation of
basic rule, fine $165.
20% off Montana Silversmith Jewelry
10% off Men’s Wrangler Shirts & Jeans
10% off Danner, Georgia & Tony Lama
Morrow County Grain Growers Green Feed & Seed
Heppner - 242 W Linden Way - 541-676-9422