Obituaries for April 21, 2010

Richard Pierce
Richard D. Pierce, 73, of Lincoln, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died April 15, 2010, at Lincoln Hospital in Davenport, Wash.

At his request, there will be no service.

Mr. Pierce was born on July 12, 1936, at Walla Walla, Wash., to Roland and Bernice Kelley Pierce. He grew up in the Baker City area and attended Baker schools.

He was a 1955 Baker High School graduate. While playing running back for the BHS football team, he was called “Wild Horse Pierce” for his ability to get through the line and score touchdowns.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1956 where he served for many years as a helicopter pilot for two tours in the Korean War and also in the Vietnam War.

He retired from the Army as a major in 1981. While in the Army, he married Netha Hopkins on April 22, 1957, at Boise.
He served as a federal police officer at Arlington, Wash., for five years before moving to the Sterling Valley area near Lincoln, Wash., in 1992.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed spending time working on his yard, riding his quad (named Tweety), coin collecting, fishing, going to the beach and digging clams. He loved to keep up on current events and politics and was very patriotic. His biggest and greatest love was his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Netha Rae Pierce at the home in Lincoln, Wash.; daughter, Kelly Lee Pierce of Seven Bays, Wash., and her children, Richard James Rounds and Taylor Rae Rounds; daughter, Joni Michelle Pierce of Maple Valley, Wash., and her children, Jessica Rose and Jenna Grace Boshell; and daughter Lisa Rene’ Rash and her husband, Matt, of Tacoma, Wash., and their sons, Brenton Pierce Rash and Braydin Pierce Rash; one brother, Roger Pierce and his wife, Jackie, of Virginia Beach, Va.; and nieces, Susan Sederstrom, Linda Wilcox, Kimberly Pierce, Laura Pierce and Ronda Cowan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Ronald Pierce.
Memorials maybe made to the Lincoln Hospital Foundation, 10 Nicholls St., Davenport, WA 99122. Strate Funeral Home of Wilbur, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn Herrmann
Marilyn Elizabeth Herrmann, 83, of Halfway, a former La Grande resident, died April 12, 2010, of natural causes at her home at Pine Creek.
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 Herrmann. 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.

Fred Graves
Fred Ward Graves, 72, of Huntington, died April 18, 2010.
His graveside service will be Saturday, April 24 at noon at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. Reverend Otis Frost will officiate.
Family and friends are invited to a no-host meal and fellowship time at Shari’s Restaurant in Pendleton. 
Fred was born May 19, 1937, in Centralia, Wash., to Shelby and Gertrude (Pettyjohn) Graves.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Darleen Graves of Huntington; his sons, Stan and his wife, Gloria, Steve and his wife, Pam, and Rod and his wife, Roxanne; a brother, Dave and his wife, Betty;  seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Pauline Jenson and Marge Taylor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, OR. 97814.

Nancy Vetter
Nancy LaRoy Vetter,  54, of Baker City, died April 18, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her memorial service will be today at 3 p.m. at Settler’s Park, 2895 17th St.
Nancy was born Sept. 27, 1955,  in Baker City to Charles F. and Beatrice Irene (Van Curen) Vetter. She was raised in Baker City and attended school here. She was a graduate of Baker High School. 
Nancy loved the Lord and going to church. She loved to go to any social gathering, especially if there was good food and  fellowship. In later years, she loved shopping and caring for her baby doll, Anna. She was a very sociable person, and everyone she meet became a friend.  Nancy loved doing crafts, jigsaw puzzles, beanbag baseball and sing-a-longs at Settler’s, where she resided for the past 10 years. Nancy thoroughly enjoyed church services and Bible studies. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Nancy is survived by her sisters, Antonette Barnes and her husband, Roy, of Pasco, Wash., and Irene Martin and her husband, Clyde, of Vacaville, Calif.; nephews: Rodney Barnes and his wife, Luana, Michael Barnes and his wife, Tammy, and Daniel Martin; a niece, Stephanie Maffei, and her husband, Brian; two great-nephews; two great nieces; and one great-great nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Charles Vetter; and by a sister, Darlene Vetter.
Contributions in Nancy’s memory may be directed to the Gideons International Memorial Bible Program.  This may be done through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.