Obituaries for April 19, 2010

Ruse Nelson

Ruse Vernon Nelson, 98, of Baker City, died April 15, 2010, of natural causes at Settler’s Park Assisted Living Facility.

A private service will be scheduled later.

Mr. Nelson was born on May 25, 1912, at Nampa, Idaho, to Vernon and Eugenia Ruse Nelson. He married Ruth Elizabeth Hillyard on Sept. 6, 1935. They were married for 35 years. He married Lucile Nelson in 1973. They were married 28 years.

Mr. Nelson moved to Pendleton in 1914. He was a 1930 Pendleton High School graduate.

He worked at Jack Allan Auto Parts store until he and his family moved to John Day in 1945. Mr. Nelson and his wife purchased a home in Canyon City in 1946 where he lived for 28 years.

He worked for Moty and Van Dyke Auto Supply in John Day for 29 years until he retired in 1974 to Waldport where he enjoyed fishing the Alsea River.

He and his wife moved back to Pendleton in 1985 where he remained until he moved to Baker City in 2004. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, yard sales, auctions and most of all spending time with his family.

He was a kind and loving father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all, his family said.

Survivors include his three daughters, Sandra Smith of Baker City, Marla Nelson of Powell Butte, and Sue Holliday of Seneca; his sons-in-law, Rodney Smith of Baker City and Allan Polenz of Powell Butte; sister-in-law, Jane Wheeler of Pendleton; three stepchildren, Norm Nelson of Canyon City, Bev Rickets of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Bob Nelson of Portland; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 10 stepgrandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Nelson; his second wife, Lucile Nelson; his sister, Olga Vivian Kempthorn; a stepson, Wendel Nelson; and grandson, Billy Clyde Holliday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice through Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

Marilyn Herrmann

A gathering of family and friends will be planned for later in August at Marilyn’s home.

Marilyn was born on Aug. 25, 1926, in Hinsdale, Ill., where she grew up and attended school. She came west to visit and met Jack Herrman. They were married on Oct. 1, 1947, at Boise.

Marilyn was a homemaker until her children were in school and then she worked as a bookkeeper, bartender and housekeeper. She retired as a housekeeper from the Pony Soldier Motel in the early 1990s.

Marilyn moved to Pine Creek in 1998 after the death of her husband, and she enjoyed her home there until her death.

She enjoyed knitting, visiting with friends, her children and grandchildren. Marilyn was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears and even a family member could not interrupt a game. She even placed a sign on her front door that read: “Not right now, I’m watching the game.”

Survivors include her sister, Barbara Matocha of Hinsdale; two daughters, Nancy Herrmann of Halfway and Bonnie Herrmann of La Grande; granddaughters and their husbands, Tina and Rick Bowen of La Grande, Heidi and Darryn Ruth, Kady and Mark Stillman, and Heather and John Gastin, all of Pendleton; grandsons and their wives, Shane and Christa Rogers of La Grande, and Geoff and Kristin Olsen of St. Cloud, Minn.; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and her son, Gary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home P.O. Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834.