Obituaries for Sept. 25, 2009

Linda Farster

Linda Carel Farster, 66, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Sept. 2, 2009, at Ontario.

There will be a private memorial service at Burns where she will be buried next to her parents in the Burns Cemetery.

Linda was born on Oct. 20, 1942, to Grace and Burdette Farster of Burns. She resided at Baker City for many years where she lived and worked in the Step Forward program.

She recently retired and moved to Ontario. Linda enjoyed fishing and camping as a child, and later she liked shopping and taking trips to the Oregon Coast. She especially loved going to a family cabin at Richland.

The family expressed appreciation to all of her caregivers in Baker City, especially Tina, Penny and Dee, “for their devoted care.”

“Linda loved them very much,” her family members said.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Kathy Farster of Marysville, Calif.; her aunt and uncle, Mary and Bruce Farster of Hines; nieces, Robin Ward, and her husband, Dan, and Katherine Cleaver and her husband, Sean, of Woodland, Calif.; great-nieces, Allison and Kristen Ward and Grace Cleaver; and great-nephew, Gannon Cleaver of Woodland; and cousins, Dan Farster of Algonquin, Ill., and Pam Farster of Carpenter, Wyo.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Step Forward Activities Inc., 3720 10th St., Baker City, OR 97814.

‘Bill’ Keener

John William “Bill” Keener, 86, of John Day, who had logged in Northeastern Oregon for more than 46 years, died Sept. 19, 2009, at his home.

His memorial service and a celebration of Bill’s life will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bible Way Church in John Day. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the John Day Senior Center.

Bill was born on April 15, 1923, at Franklin, N.C., to James Ulric and Fannie Clementine Williams Keener. He was the fifth child of six children.

He left home when he was about 12 and went to Springfield, Mass., where he worked on poultry farms. Bill also spent time in Georgia picking peaches.

Bill came to Spray in the fall of 1946 with Alex Adams. He worked for M & R (Tommy Ross) logging, which was the first time he had driven a logging truck.

Bill was married to Pearl and they had the café in Spray for a year. They were divorced in 1967.

In 1949 Bill went to work for San Juan Lumber Co. The name was later changed to Hudspeth. He drove truck for quite a few years, then ran the machine to unload logs, feed the mill pond and deck logs. He worked for Hudspeth for 28 years.

In 1978 he bought his own log truck, a self-loader and he worked for all the mills around.

On April 22, 1972, Bill married Barbara L. Wheeler Gienger at Winnemucca Nev. They made their home at John Day.

Bill retired in 1988, and since he didn’t have any hobbies to speak of, he started cutting firewood. He got a little carried away, his family said, and before he realized it there were about 15 cord stacked up, which lasted quite a few years. Bill also helped Barb manage the Riverside Home Park for 40 years.

Bill attended the Bible Way Community Church. He was baptized on Sept. 6, 2003. Bill was a hard worker and liked helping others. He enjoyed seeing the grandkids, watching TV, taking a nice drive and he really enjoyed his recliner.

He was a wonderful husband and dad, family members said, adding that he will be missed more than words can say. He also had many friends who will miss him.

Survivors include his wife, Barb; three daughters, Brenda Lynn Smith and her husband, Tim, of Bend, Joanie Eileen Tussing of John Day and Denise Jackson and her husband, Kip, of Vancouver; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Nation of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters.

Memorial contribution may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice or the Bible Way Church through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.

Beatrice Vetter

Beatrice Vetter, 93, died Sept. 19, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City.

A private family interment was held today at Mount Hope Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Dave Deputy will officiate. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the church following the service.

Beatrice Irene Vetter was born Feb. 4, 1916, in Webster, Wis., to Ida C. (Benston) and Lloyd J. VanCurren. She graduated from Barron High School in 1935, and was a waitress at the Barron Creamery until she moved to Baker City with her father in the spring of 1945. 

She was a waitress at the Royal Café when she met her future husband, Charles F. Vetter.

Charles and Beatrice were married in November 1945.  They had four daughters: Antonette, Irene, Nancy and Darlene. Mr. Vetter died in December 1961.

Bea was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she served in many positions including church clerk, Sunday school teacher and on the kitchen committee.

She enjoyed sewing and being in the sunshine caring for her garden.  Bea was in her element as hostess for family and friends.  Her home was always open.

She is survived by her daughters, Irene Martin of Vacaville, Calif., Antonette Barnes of Pasco, Wash., and Nancy Vetter of Baker City; four grandchildren, Rodney Barnes and his wife, Luana, Michael Barnes and his wife, Tammy, Daniel Martin, Stephanie Martin and fiancé Bryan Maffei; four great-grandchildren, Michaell, Amanda, Kaycee and Thomas Barnes; and one great-great-grandson, Michael A. Barnes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Darlene E. Vetter and three grandchildren. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons or Nursing Home Ministries in care of Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.