Obituaries for the week of April 3 to April 7

Lori Leigh Hayes-Kotter, 49, of North Powder, died April 4, 2006, at Baker City.

Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at the North Powder School, 333 G St. There will be a buffet lunch afterward at the North Powder Grange.

Lori was born on Jan. 14, 1957, at Enterprise to Clyde and Ann Hayes of Joseph. She grew up on the family farm near Hurricane Creek and attended school at Joseph, graduating in 1975. She was active in sports and 4-H.

Lori loved to garden and cherished time with her family and friends. She was involved with the North Powder School and other community activities. Lori was never without a smile and was always helping and caring for those in need. Lori loved life!

"There are no words that convey the sense of loss of love and respect from such an amazing individual as herself," her family said.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Hayes.

Survivors include her husband, Brian Kotter, and daughter, Candra Clark, of North Powder; a son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Summer Power of Jonesboro, Ark.; her mother, Ann Hayes, of Joseph; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim Hayes and Wendy McDaniel of Joseph; a brother, Blane Hayes of Joseph; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Kay and Bob Pace of Winnemucca, Nev.; a grandson, Keithen Power of Jonesboro, Ark.; one niece and two nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Powder Girls Athletic Association, the North Powder Library or a charity of one's choice.

Sandra Bracken

Sandra L. Bracken, 63, of Baker City died April 4, 2006, at her home.

Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of Harvest Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

Sandra was born on June 28, 1942, at Yakima, Wash., to Arthur and Thelma Tuener Litteral. She attended first grade at Pendleton and then the family moved to Baker City where she finished her education.

She loved to be with her children and grandchildren. She always took in her children's friends and was a mom to all of them. She loved to fish for catfish with her husband, Sid.

She loved making people laugh and had a good sense of humor. She collected dolls and Micky Mouse and many other things. She loved to paint. She met and enjoyed many friends at the American Legion.

Survivors include her children, Kevin Smithhart and friend, Marilyn, of Ontario, Kerry and Donna Smithhart of Baker City, Kember L. Smithhart and Kendra L. Smithhart, both of Baker City; grandchildren, Amanda, Andrew and Marissa Smithhart and Katrina, Sean, and Buddy, Kristen Smithhart, Kent and Michelle Smithhart, Camden J. Smithhart, Megan Smithhart, Anthony, Rhiannon and Sierra Smithhart, and Sandie Jo Smithhart; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Robin Litteral of Texas; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Eugene Sutton of Baker City, Patricia and John Horn of New Bridge and Brenda and Myron Sherburn of Baker City.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Sidney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Ottilie Fagenstrom

Ottilie Fagenstrom, 85, a former Baker City resident, died March 31, 2006, at Life Care Center of the Treasure Valley in Boise.

Her memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 17th Street and Pocahontas Road.

Ottilie Fagenstrom was born on Sept. 21, 1920, at Oslo, Norway, to Walter and Catherine Pattenhausen-Brummer. Ottilie moved with her parents to the United States in 1924.

Her father, Walter, continued his import-export business. When Ottilie was 14, her mother, Catherine, died. Ottilie moved with her father to California. She was a 1939 graduate of Santa Ana High School. She continued her schooling at La Sierra College where she studied nursing.

In 1943, while working as a nurse, Ottilie met her future husband, Cregor Fagenstrom. They were married that October.

For the next 30 years they lived at Santa Ana, Calif. While living in California they bought their future retirement property at Stices Gulch, sight unseen. They enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to be able to visit Europe and Israel. Ottilie enjoyed visiting family in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden.

Survivors include their children, Joyce, Patrick and Jon.

Ottilie was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Catherine.

Mary Kreider

Mary Margaret Trotter Vaughan Kreider, 92, of Gleneden Beach, a former Baker City resident, died March 29, 2006, at Newport.

There will be no service.

Mary grew up in Baker City. She attended Mills College in San Francisco. She married Robert F. Vaughan in 1935. The couple had three children: Susan, Trotter and John. They lived at Baker City until 1956, when Robert died.

She married Charles M. Kreider of Bend in 1963. The couple moved to Bend and then to Portland. Charles died in 1975 and then she moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. She later moved to Newport to be near her family.

Her passions were shopping, gardening and interior decorating. In her later years, she was addicted to Big Band music.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan, of Toledo; and her sons, Trotter of Newport and John of Las Vegas, Nev.; and numerous grandchildren.

Bateman Funeral Home of Newport is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Wilson

Walter L. Wilson, 65, died Dec. 30, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

His graveside service was Jan. 4 at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family invites friends to share with them in a potluck memorial of Walt's life at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at First Street and Valley Avenue.

Walt was born on March 25, 1940, to Boe and Ila Wilson of Sparta. He had spent his life working in the timber industry, either in a mill or logging. Except for a few short years, Walt lived his entire life in Baker County.

He loved the outdoors, and could tell many stories of the life he led and the people he knew. He had many talents. He could make anything out of wood with perfection. He loved country music and played in many local bands. He sang and played guitar and will long be remembered playing Saturday nights at the VFW.

Walt suffered a severe stroke in 1994, which left him paralyzed on his right side. He continued to use his woodworking shop for many years afterward, until his disability worsened and prevented him from doing so.

Thanks to his neighbors, friends and family, he was able to live in his own home until his death. He was in good spirits most of the time and loved company to tell his stories to.

Survivors include two sons, Curt, and his wife, Caroline, of Baker City and Dennis of Meridian, Idaho; five grandchildren, Michael of Fruitland, Idaho, Ashley of Baker City, and Brandon, Blaine and Antonia, all of Washington; five sisters, Claudea and Dave Myers of Baker City, Leanna and Roy McMasters of Hermiston, Marge and Jeff Waldal of Nampa, Idaho, Phyllis "Toot" of Medford and Babe and Jim Hamilton of Fort Klamath; a brother, Jerry of Medford; former brother-in-law, Wes "Huck" Stallings; sister-in-law, Ilene Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Delton.

Walter Hayes

Walter Hartwell Hayes, 85, of Baker City, died April 1, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Care Center, where he had lived the past 9 years.

There will be a memorial service this summer at Mount Hope Cemetery when family members can return from Europe and the Middle East.

Walt was born at Baker City on April 22, 1920, to Walter Dutton Hayes and Junia Philbrick Hayes. He spent almost his entire life in Baker County. The "lay-in home" where he was born is still standing on Spring Garden Avenue, not but a block from where his oldest grandson and family live.

The family lived up Sutton Creek on the "Hayes Creek Farm" as his dad called it, and Walt attended the Brookside School, as well as the Beaver Creek School before coming into town to attend the Helen M. Stack Middle School and Baker Senior High. He and his two sisters would ride their horses to school in good weather and in winter would strap on their skis and head out in the deep snow in order to get to school. It was uphill both ways and a bit of a distance.

Being the only son, he spent much of his time working around the farm and growing up quickly, helping his dad with the horses and working in the wheat/barley/oats fields. The hours were from sunup until sunset and many times proved way too much for a young lad of 8 to 10 years of age.

His childhood was not spent at having a lot fun and he grew up before his time. Many times there was complete exhaustion after spending long hours out in the sun and the tough weather endured by the family during the wintertime.

During his time in middle school, Walt skipped a grade because of his excellent academic skills, especially math, graduating ahead of his many friends, which he kept even though he was out of school and off to service not too long after graduation.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1942, at Portland. He served in the Signal Corps throughout the war. His duties included supervising the signal centers, handling personal messages for military personnel and receiving and transmitting classified documents. While stationed at Pueblo, Colo., he met his sweetheart, Katherine "Katie" Harris, who was an operator for Western Union.

They were married at Walla Walla, Wash., where Walt was stationed with the 17th Wing Signal Center, on Aug. 7, 1943.

Walt was excellent at his job and stayed stateside during his military career. So the story goes, while in Pueblo, being the excellent cryptographer that he was, he took and sent many messages and not all of them were government business.

Clark Gable was stationed at the same base as Walt and he took and sent lots of messages for Mr. Gable, in code, to many a "love-struck gal" whom Gable met through his military career.

Walt and Katie were transferred to Lincoln, Neb., and there their first child was born, son Creag. They then had two daughters, Jeanne Ann and Julie Alice.

Except for a short period of about one year in Portland and Boise, Walt and Katie lived in Baker City. He worked in the lumber industry, both in Baker City and as a timekeeper/employee at Unity for Ellingson Lumber Co.

He also worked for Chet Smith Motors, as well as Basche-Sage Hardware and Baker Co-op Supply. He retired from Baker County, where he worked in the assessor's office.

He had a passion for cars and so enjoyed the Mercedes Benz, owning three during his life. Even as late as Christmas 2005, his son sent him a special calendar from Praha which showed lots of new models.

Walt always took time to care for the family plot at Mount Hope and made sure that it looked just right for Memorial Day each year. He loved to pull jokes on his daughter, Jeanne Ann, whose birthday is on April Fool's Day; and she got caught many a time.

Math, reading and memorizing information came easily to Walt. He read "Gone With the Wind" in two sittings and read the Bible with ease many times. As recently as 2000, in reading through the Bible and in discussions with his daughter, he came to its fullness and understanding, when he was reborn on May 22, 2000.

He and Katie were charter members and helped start the Krazy Eights Square Dance group in the 1960s. They so enjoyed square dancing, and Katie usually made Walt a shirt for each outfit that she sewed for herself.

Walt learned to do some square dance calling, but music held a special interest for him anyway. He learned to play the violin and did so with perfection.

He had excellent math skills and could easily do problems, while the kids worked the problem out longhand. He had the answer long before they could even get started.

Walt will be remembered as a loving, caring person who was thoughtful of others. He enjoyed walking around town, looking at the new cars in the showrooms each fall, taking his dog "Stubby" for rides to the ranch.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katie, who died in August 2005; his parents, who died in 1976 and 1978; and his youngest daughter, who died in 1980.

Survivors include his son, Creag, and his wife, Josie, and a grandson, Alex, who live in Prague, and his daughter, Jeanne Ann Mellott, and her husband, Alan; grandson, Scott Shively, and his wife, Shelly, and great-grandchildren, Courtney, Ashley and Zachary; grandson, Tim Shively and his wife, Brenda, and their dog, Oscar the bulldog; two sisters, Louise Watson, and her husband, George Sr., of Portland and Marilyn Hayes of Phoenix, Ariz.; his only niece lives in California and nephews live in Portland and Baker City; and other extended family members in Colorado and Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elkhorn Swingers through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814, or mailed to P.O. Box 62, Baker City, OR 97814.

Leonard Kenworthy

Leonard Francis Kenworthy, 75, of Baker City, died March 31, 2006, at the Boise Veterans Hospital after a difficult battle with cancer.

A celebration of his life and tribute to him was at 2 p.m. today at the Eagles Lodge. There was a reception afterward at the Eagles Lodge.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1930, at Huntsville, Wash., to Arzy and Ethyl Williams Kenworthy. He was the youngest of seven children. Later his family moved to North Powder where he graduated from high school in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and was medically discharged.

He married Carole June Jeffries on Nov. 12, 1949, at Baker City. They recently celebrated 56 years together and have four children. Their love for each other has flourished over the years and was strong to the end.

He was a rugged outdoorsman who had a strong work ethic all his life. He worked during his young years in the hay fields at Baker Pac, where he learned the meat-cutting trade and eventually became a journeyman meat cutter. After this career, he decided to become a logger and was known for his cat-skinning skills, going where men feared to tread. He always loved being in the woods, there the air is fresh and clean and it's peaceful.

In 1976 he co-founded K.C. Logging along with his good friend, Roy Cole. He also had the opportunity to work with his son, Richard, who for many years cut logs for him. He cherished this time he had with his son.

After retiring from logging, he enjoyed many good friends with whom he had breakfast and afternoon coffee breaks several times each week. He always looked forward to these get-togethers.

He was known for his great sense of humor and always had jokes for people he met along the way. He had a gift for bargaining and used it well at yard sales. He had many interests and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

In his earlier years he raced his stock car "Crisco" and was pretty good at it. In later years he enjoyed boating and fishing with his son-in-law, John, and being a pal to his daughters.

He died surrounded by the love and care of his family. He will be very, very missed, family members said.

Survivors include his wife, Carole; children Marge and John Garrett, Richard and Joni Kenworthy, Gina and Mike Harris, and Julie Cunningham and her friend, Jerry; grandchildren, Mandy Macy, Aimee Kenworthy, Kellie Kenworthy, Travis Harris, Krista Cleveland, Shyanne Cunningham, Sierra Cunningham, Lindsey Byers, Merrilee Catt, Paul Garrett and Casey Garrett; five great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Margo Kenworthy; sisters, Edna Pearson and Neilenne Garrett; sister-in-law, Peg Watterson; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Dorothy Jeffries; stepfather, Ed Fitzgerald; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth, Vera and Lois; his mother-in-law, Gay Fitzgerald; and father-in-law, LaVern Jeffries.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

Marion Ray-Styer

Marion Ray-Styer, 74, of Baker City, died March 31, 2006, at Portland.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Coles Funeral Home. Pastor Gary Gleason of the United Pentecostal Church at Oregon City and Pastor Nathaniel Neff of The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Baker City will officiate.

Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be from noon until 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Marion was born on March 28, 1932, at Baker City to Waldo and Julia Wallaert Fosnot and spent most of her life in the community. She grew up at Pondosa and went to school there. One year while staying with her grandparents, Henry and Marie Wallaert, she attended St. Francis Academy and later went to Baker High School.

Marion loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible fishing, hunting, mushrooming and camping. Her children and grandchildren have many great memories of the fun times they've had.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Waldo and Julia Fosnot.

Survivors include her husband, Jim Styer of Baker City; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Susan Grende of Oregon City; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and William Kiplinger of Gresham; grandchildren, Tina Sanders of Oregon City, Troy Grende of Milwaukie, Travis Grende of Oregon City, and Kip Kiplinger and Katelyn Kiplinger of Gresham; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was well loved and will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

‘Rollie' Wright

Roland Howard "Rollie" Wright, 53, of Baker City, died March 31, 2006, at Boise.

His funeral will be at 12:15 p.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at Bend.

Cremation was done by Nampa Funeral Home at Nampa, Idaho.

Rollie served in the U.S. Army. He was a retired welder and enjoyed fishing in Eastern Oregon.

Survivors include his companion of 10 years, Diana Kellum of Baker City; daughters, Ronni A. Herrold and Sally M. West, both of Bend; a sister, Cathe Anderson of LaPine; and grandchildren, Karley West, Megan West, Corbyn Herrold and Alyce Herrold of Bend.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family through Bank of America, 1790 Washington Ave., in care of Diana Kellum.

‘Fern' Culley

Donna "Fern" Culley, 90, of La Grande, a former longtime Baker City resident, died April 1, 2006, at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.

There will be a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Friday at the New Life Center in La Grande. Committal and interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2006.

Fern was born on Sept. 15, 1915, at Enterprise to Arthur and Zella (Millard) Pearson. She was the great-granddaughter of David Kooch, an early pioneer to Wallowa County.

She was a 1934 Enterprise High School graduate. She married Floyd Culley on June 15, 1935. She met Floyd when he came to Enterprise with the Civilian Conservation Corps. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Baker City where Fern spent most of her life. She lost Floyd on her birthday, Sept. 15, 1972. Together they raised three daughters and over the years took in more than 40 foster children, loving each and every one of them.

Fern had many interests, the most important of which were her children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed her church and her many friends.

Her other interests were oil painting, sewing, gardening, canning and yard sales. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church. Friends and family remember her as a very loving Christian lady who always had the sweetest winning smile for everyone.

Fern worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital and later as a Senior Companion, taking many trips with them to Canada and the Rockies. Her most memorable trip was to Israel and to the City of Jerusalem.

She relocated to La Grande in 1995 to be near her daughter, JoJean. The last two years she had lived at Wildflower Lodge where she loved the other residents and staff.

Three sisters, Mildred Shell, Elaine Crabill and Evelyn Wright, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Cheryl and Keith Stubblefied of Salem, JoJean and Carl Nelson of La Grande and Jackie and Eddy Dixon of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandchildren, Tami, Rick and Kimberly Stubblefield, Craig and Tony Nelson, Carla Wise, Kaye Sloman, Michelle Robbins and Amanda Dixon; 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Her oldest grandson, Brent Stubblefield of Vancouver, Washington preceded her in death by 19 days.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Center through Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, OR 97850.

Frank Van Driesche

Frank Van Driesche, 88, of Portland, a former Baker City resident, died March 27, 2006.

Frank was born on Dec. 22, 1918, at Baker City to Julius and Alida Van Driesche. He was the youngest of four children.

He attended St. Francis Academy at Baker City and went to Oregon State University at Corvallis. He graduated at Mount Angel with a bachelor of arts degree. He worked for the IRS for a few years before starting his own accounting business in Portland.

He and Margaret Hager were married on Nov. 22, 1947, at St. Rose of Lima Church. They lived in Portland and had seven children. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, No. 678, and the Elks Lodge.

Frank was a successful business man and accountant with a love of vegetable gardening, baseball and almost all sports.

He died peacefully surrounded by his wife and family who loved him very much. The family expressed special thanks to the staff on 5G at Providence Hospital for their patience, humor, and sincere caring for Frank and his family during the final days.

Survivors include his wife; two brothers; seven children, Diane Burke, Patty Rubin, Carolyn Jeschke, Linda Hungerford, Suzan Rowe, Frank Van Driesche and Mary Flesey; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Rose City Cemetery & Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

‘Jack' Ihrig

John Keith "Jack" Ihrig, 75, died of acute leukemia on March 27, 2006, at Coquille at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and James Young.

His funeral was at 10 a.m. today at the McEwen Bible Fellowship in Sumpter. Interment was at the Granite Cemetery in Granite. Pastor Mark Norenberg officiated.

Jack was born on Aug. 20, 1930, at Mitchell. He married Margaret Winslow on Feb. 6, 1956. They had four children: Vickie Jo of Nampa, Idaho, Craig Lee, deceased, Sandra Jean of Coquille and Bryan Keith of Wilsonville.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in April 1952 and made it his career for more than 21 years. During his career he received many commendations and awards. His tours of duty included Korea and several tours of Vietnam. He retired as a technical sergeant.

After he returned from the service, he and his family moved to Redmond. He worked at Cenex Co-op until his move to Granite in 1983. He served as a Grant County deputy sheriff for more than 18 years.

Jack was a proud man who not only served his country and community but his home. He was a good family man and a friend to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Margaret Ihrig; his wife, Margaret; his son, Craig; and his sister, Norma.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra Young, and her husband, James, of Coquille; daughter, Vickie Mosqueda, and her husband, Fidel, of Nampa, Idaho; a son, Bryan Keith Ihrig, of Wilsonville; a brother, David Ihrig of Olympia, Wash.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

Allen Barrett

Allen LeRoy Barrett, 70, died March 24, 2006, at his home in Halfway.

A celebration of his life has been tentatively set for June 17. The time and place will be announced. Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He was born on Feb. 13, l936, at Sheridan, Wyo., to Edorothy "Edie" and Allan Barrett. He grew up at Kellogg and Smelterville, Idaho. Allen attended school to the 11th grade and then went to work at the Kellogg mine.

In 1954, Allen joined the U.S. Navy. He met Shirley Schultz in Seattle, Wash., while he was stationed at Bremerton, Wash. They met on Sept. 25, 1958, and were married just 15 days later on Oct. 10, 1958.

They lived at Seattle one year and then transferred to Long Beach, Calif. He spent some time overseas, transferring last to San Diego. They remained there until May 1964 when he was honorably discharged.

Allen and Shirley then moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., where he worked at Guerneville mine until 1970. In 1971 they came to Halfway to visit with longtime friends John and Shirley Keating. Halfway reminded Allen of the small towns he grew up in, and he thought it would be a great place to raise his children.

On July 20, 1972, the couple and their three children moved to Halfway. During his time in Halfway, he worked for the Pine-Eagle School District as the outside maintenance groundskeeper until he was hurt on the job in 1991.

He enjoyed working with wood, fishing and riding his four-wheeler in the mountains. He also enjoyed playing pinochle and visiting with friends. Allen also enjoyed his grandsons, who, though they sometimes thought he was grouchy and strict, enjoyed his good sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; three children, Laura Perdue of Redfield, S.D., Rebecca and Ken Colton of Anchorage, Alaska, and Edward and Kimberly Barrett of Sacramento, Calif.; five grandsons, Jamey and Jeremy Ward, Mikeal Barrett, and Travis and Derek Colton; brother and sister-in-law, Les and Lorna Barrett of Augusta, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Courtney DelCurto

Courtney DelCurto, 93, a former Halfway resident, died on March 26, 2006 at Eugene.

Her funeral was Saturday at Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. Interment was at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway.

Courtney Melba Vaughan was born on Dec. 20, 1912, to Jacob Alexander and Gertrude Eva Rob Vaughan at home in Halfway. She grew up at Halfway and on Wild Horse Creek, which is where the Brownlee dam is located now. As a girl she would swim her horse across the Snake River and then ride through the hills to Halfway to visit friends.

She married Reno Nicholas DelCurto on Sept. 14, 1934, at Wallace, Idaho. They lived at Cornucopia until the mines closed. Then in 1980, Courtney moved back to Pine Valley after Reno died.

Courtney never missed a chance to pick huckleberries. She loved to garden, she was diligent about canning and freezing her delicious garden produce so she could offer it to others in the winter.

At the age of 65 she taught herself how to ride a bike. In her 80s she rafted the Snake River and also rode horses in her late 80s. In her 90s, Courtney still enjoyed a good day of fishing.

Courtney was independent and strong-willed. She had a certain way of washing dishes by hand in scalding hot water, and she liked her routines. She insisted on walking even when taking the car, her dark green Torino, would have been far quicker and easier.

"For those she leaves behind, we will miss her," her family members said. "As for heaven, they have received a spunky angel."

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Jeane DelCurto of Eugene; grandchildren, Calvin DelCurto, Danny DelCurto, Sandy Stechelin, Carrie Jackson and Tammy Huske; 11 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reno, who died in 1980; two sons, Dennis and Neal; an infant daughter, Lavonne; and four sisters and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Valley Seniors-Community Connection through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834.