System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Zella Pallis
Zella May Pallis, 78, of Ontario, a former Baker City resident, died June 7, 2001, at home with her family by her side.
Visitations will be from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Colonial DeWitt Funeral Home at Walla Walla, Wash. There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Mountain View Cemetery at Walla Walla.
Mrs. Pallis was born on May 14, 1923, at Clayton, Idaho, to Guennie Fisher Geist and William Fisher. She married Woodrow Davis in 1941. He died in 1952.
She then met Anthony John Pallis of Walla Walla, Wash. They were married in 1953. They owned and operated the 19th Hole Restaurant. They later moved to La Grande where they owned and operated Herman’s Tavern. Upon retirement, they moved to Baker City. When Mr. Pallis became ill, they moved to Ontario.
Mrs. Pallis had a great love for the outdoors. Her favorite pastimes, which brought her the greatest pleasures, included fishing and hunting with her family, cooking and gardening. She also loved yard sales and traveling with friends and family.
She was a devoted member of the Collister Community Church of Boise. She also was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Unit 23, of Payette, Idaho, and a member of the Walla Walla Elks Lodge, No. 287.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Pallis; her mother and father, Guennie Geist and William Fisher; two sisters, Tiny Nanson and Mary Trogee; and a brother, Fletcher Fisher.
Survivors include her children, Judie Johnson of Milton-Freewater, Woodrow Pallis and Thomas Pallis, both of Fruitland, Idaho, Linda Pratt and William Pallis, both of Milton-Freewater, Anthony Pallis of Bathe, Maine, and Nicholas Pallis of Elgin; two sisters, Jheri Yost and Nita Bishop; a brother, Bill Fisher; and 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Collister Community Church, 4709 State St., Boise, Idaho 83703.
‘Flo’ Kelly
Flores A. “Flo” Kelly, 71, of North Powder, died June 15, 2001, at her daughter’s home in North Powder.
At her request, there will be no public service. There will be a private family service later. Loveland Funeral Chapel of La Grande is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Kelly was born on July 7, 1930, at Bend to Bert and Agnes Beach Nickels. She was a Baker High School graduate. She lived at North Powder for about 15 years before moving to Bullhead City, Ariz., where she lived for about 15 years. She had been a resident of Gold Beach for the last 12 years before recently returning to North Powder.
She enjoyed gardening, crocheting and spending time with her family. She was loved by many and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Kathy Montgomery of Union and Gary and Becky Montgomery of Pilot Rock; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Roger Kirkland of North Powder and Maureen and Tony Smith of Bullhead City, Ariz.; brothers and sister-in-law, Nick and Betty Nickels of Gold Beach and Randy Black of Walla Walla, Wash.; a sister, Mary Aldrich of Gold Beach; a stepsister and her husband, Jewel and Dick Gates of Hillsboro; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Agnes Black; her father, Randall Black; a brother, Bob Nickels; one stepbrother; and one grandson.
Oscar Shoemake
Oscar L. Shoemake, 72, a Baker City native, died June 13, 2001, at his winter home at Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
There will be a memorial service for him later at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Mr. Shoemake was born on Sept. 12, 1929, at Baker City. He was the youngest son of Albert G. and Nora Shoemake of Baker City and later of La Grande. He recently had celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Gini, and friends.
An educator by profession, he completed his graduate work at Western Oregon University at Monmouth. He was employed by the Oregon Department of Education and later served as Malheur County School Superintendent at Vale.
After leaving the education field, he and his wife, Gini, owned and operated The Hitching Post, a well-known bistro at Boardman. While there, he became a serious golfer, hunter and fisherman. He loved athletic events.
As an avocation, golf was his first love and he never hesitated to practice and to enforce the Rules of Golf, even with family members who were prone to violate on occasion. They were told the best wood they carried in their golf bag was a pencil.
He was a star athlete while attending La Grande High School and Eastern Oregon College of Education (now Eastern Oregon University) at La Grande. He served during the Korean War with an Army hospital unit in Japan where he also was active in physical education and sports activities.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Gini; two sons, Jimmy Shoemake of Seoul, Korea, and Randy of Portland, a son, David, died earlier; three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, living primarily in the Northwest; two sisters, Ora Kate Olson of Anacortes, Wash., and Helen Webber of Rancho Mirage, Calif.; and two brothers, Robert of Desert Hot Springs, Calif., and James L. of Bellevue, Wash.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to a favorite anti-smoking campaign office.
Joan Shepardson
Joan Shepardson, 63, a lifetime Baker City resident, died June 17, 2001, at her home.
Her graveside funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of the United Methodist Church officiated. Vault interment was afterward.
She was born on April 28, 1938, at Baker City to Morris “Red” and Mildred Bradford Shepardson. She was raised in Baker City.
She enjoyed doing household and lawn chores and it was her motto that there is a “place for everything and everything in its place.” She also enjoyed typing, working puzzles, watching television and keeping scrapbooks.
Survivors include her sisters, Janet Shepardson of Baker City; cousins, Dr. Stuart Trenholme of Portland, Ica Dolven of La Grande, Beverly McKinnis of Baker City and Joy Hammond and Larry Bradford of Prairie City; nephews, Rodney Swift and Richard Rocci, both of Portland; and great-aunt, Geneva Cook of Keizer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Mildred Shepardson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Ore., 97814.
Henry Miller
Henry William “Big Bill” Miller, 80, of Walla Walla, Wash., and a former Baker City resident, died June 14, 2001, at Walla Walla General Hospital.
There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Colonial-DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Specialists at Walla Walla.
Mr. Miller was born Feb. 4, 1921, at Baker City to Henry J. and Mattie L. Miller. He attended Oregon State University until World War II, at which time he served in the Marines, then the Sea Bees for the duration.
After that he was in the asphalt paving business with his father for many years in and around Eastern Oregon. He married Joan Bratt in 1947, and was later divorced. He was a member of the Baker Elks Lodge.
He later settled in Pendleton, where he married E. Monte James. They owned and operated Big Bill’s Rivoli Cigar Store and The Sunset Café & Lounge from 1965 to 1987. Upon retiring he moved to Walla Walla, where he enjoyed fishing, sports, his time spent with his two cats, Smitty and Lefty, and his dog, Shorty. He was an avid Blazer and Mariners fan.
Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, E. Monte James; a stepdaughter, Laura James; stepsons, LaMarr and Mike James; daughters, Marty Rose of Kennewick, Wash., and Mary Kincaid of Baker City; a son, Robin, of Baker City; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Franklin Lew of Klamath Falls; and five grandchildren.
Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or the charity of one’s choice through the Colonial-DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Specialist.
Grace Irby
Grace Winifred Irby, 73, a lifetime Baker City resident, died June 27, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. Vault interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St., for a time of fellowship and sharing after the service.
Mrs. Irby was born on Sept. 17, 1927, at Baker City to Roy and Lenora Anderson. She was a 1946 Baker High School graduate. She married Walter Truscott Irby at the Wingville Grange Hall on Oct. 10, 1946.
She was a wonderful wife and mother, whose love, caring, and kindness flowed from her heart to everyone she met and spent time with. She found great joy in caring and loving people. Her family and friends were surrounded by her love.
She endeavored to create happiness by her sensitive response to the feelings of others, always wanting to help in any way. She was a beautiful child of God, her irreplaceable spirit will be ever present in the memories of family and friends she leaves behind.
She was a seventh-degree member of the National Grange, sixth-degree member of the Oregon State Grange and fifth-degree member of the Baker County Pomona Grange. She was an active member of the Wingville Grange for 56 years.
She also was a member of the Ladies of the Elks, and Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion auxiliaries. She spent a wonderful year in 1987-88 as first lady of the Oregon State Elks when her husband, Truscott, was president of the Oregon State Elks Association.
Her hobbies were her devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading and attending rodeos.
Survivors include her beloved husband, Truscott; four children: a daughter, Lenora, and her husband, Richard Way, their children, Lisa, and her husband, Mark Becker, and their children, Kimberly, Kassandra, and Kaila, John Way and his wife, Jodie, and their children, Ashlea and Taylor; a son, Rod Irby, and wife, Susan, and their children, Krystal and Heather; daughter, Zona Irby, and her fiance, Mick Hiatt; and a daughter, Carolyn Irby, and her fiance, Stu Davis; her brother, Andy Anderson, and his wife, Beverly, and their children Gary, Greg, Ron, and Larry; and her sister in-law, Edith Morin, and her daughter, Glenabell, and husband, Bink Lewis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lenora Anderson; and her sister, Edith Campbell.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Ore., 97814.
Harold Wiester
Harold W. Wiester, 92, of Issaquah, Wash., a former Baker City resident, died on June 26, 2001, at his home.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic Church, 4400 130th Place S.E., Bellevue, Wash. There will be a reception after the service at the church. Committal will be at 1:45 p.m. at the Floral Hills Cemetery at Lynnwood, Wash.
Mr. Wiester was born on June 26, 1909, at Everett, Wash., to Charles “Dick” and Alice Wiester. He was raised in Edmonds and graduated from Edmonds High School in 1927. He married Emily Irene Street at Tacoma, Wash., on May 20, 1939. They lived at Edmonds until 1951, when they moved to Baker City. He and his wife raised their children in Baker City.
They retired to Arizona in 1984 and to Bellevue in 1995 to be closer to their family. Mr. Wiester was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sharon M. Burke of Redmond and Lorene Colton of Baker City; a son Stephen Wiester, of Anchorage, Alaska; 10 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are by Flintofts Issaquah Funeral Home.
Russell Thoreson
Russell N. Thoreson, 81, of Haines, died June 22, 2001, at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande.
A private memorial service will take place later. Arrangements are under the direction of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Mr. Thoreson was born Oct. 20, 1919, in Minnesota to Mr. and Mrs. Thoreson. He later moved with his family to Gresham, where he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country during World War II. He was a heavy equipment operator for many years.
On Nov. 30, 1979, he married Maxine Boese in Portland. They later moved to Eastern Oregon.
Mr. Thoreson was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Elks Lodge for many years. He enjoyed operating heavy equipment, fishing, hunting, and most of all will be remembered for being a good dad, granddad, and foster dad.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine Thoreson of Haines; his children, John Thoreson of John Day, David Cannon of Cascade Locks, Sam Snyder of Gresham, and Sonja Lyman of Baker City; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister and two brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande, Ore., 97850.
Rhoda Davis
Rhoda A. Davis, 88, of Bend, a former Baker County resident, died June 22, 2001, at Bend.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at Bend. Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Thomas J. Connolly, bishop emeritus, of the Diocese of Baker. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Niswonger, Reynolds & Tabor Chapel at Bend. Committal and burial will be at the Pilot Butte Cemetery.
Mrs. Davis was born on Sept. 4, 1912, at Wood River, Neb. Her family moved to Payette, Idaho, in 1916 when she was 4 and she attended school in that area. She married Alphonsus Michael Davis in Ontario on Sept. 7, 1928. Together they raised eight girls and seven boys.
The couple lived in and around Boise and Idaho City for the first years of their marriage. In 1940, they moved to Tacoma, Wash., where Mr. Davis worked in the shipyards during World War II. They moved to Baker City in 1945 and later had acreage in Haines for many years. In 1987, they moved to Bend to be with their daughter.
Mrs. Davis was a dedicated mother and wife. She was skilled in every aspect of homemaking, from cooking, canning and sewing to gardening. In 1958, she and Mr. Davis acquired a schoolhouse in the country, which she helped renovate for a home. She often remarked that she moved her family to the country schoolhouse to teach them a thing or two. It became her favorite home.
Mrs. Davis was active in school activities during the many years her children were attending school and was generally called upon to provide transportation to school as well for special events. Classmates and neighborhood children were always welcome at her home.
She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Survivors include her sons, Patrick of Florence, Dennis of Las Vegas, Nev., Thomas of Bend and David of Toledo; daughters, Mary Ann Davis of Bend, Carolyn Ciula of Fresno, Barbara Walker and Sharon Davis of Florence, Kathy Mason and Betty Davis of Eugene and Therese Davis of Antioch, Calif.; two sisters, Mildred Darewit of Nevada City, Calif., and MaryLou Cartwright of Grass Valley, Calif.; and 30 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al M. Davis, who died less than three weeks ago; her parents; three sons, John of Eugene, Robert of Tacoma, Wash., and Andrew of Baker City; a daughter, Helen of Bend; and a brother, Lowell of Placerville, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diocese of Baker, 911 S.E. Armour Road, Bend, Ore. 97702.
Clifford Bruhn
Clifford Clay Bruhn, 36, of Baker City, died July 3, 2001, near Halfway.
His graveside service will be Monday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway. The Rev. Bill Shields of the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church will officiate.
Mr. Bruhn was born on Aug. 30, 1964, in Kailua, Hawaii, to George and Clintina Cross Bruhn. He was raised and educated in Halfway. Following high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served for two years. During his life he had five children, whom he loved to spend time with, cared about and loved to talk about. He kept their pictures in his wallet and was quick to show you how much they had grown.
Mr. Bruhn enjoyed hunting morel mushrooms, camping and fishing.
During this last year, he had lived in Baker City, returning on occasion to visit friends in Halfway. He was one of those people who would give you the shirt off of his back, if he had it to give. He had a great smile, a good heart and will be missed very much by all who knew and loved him.
Mr. Bruhn is survived by his children: Athena, Corey, Clarissa, Christian and Catlyn; his parents, George and Tina Bruhn, his brother, George Bruhn, and sister, Jenny Steele, all of Baker City; sister and brother-in-law, Marla and Casey Anderson of Halfway; nieces, Tiffany and Samantha Steele, and Chastity Anderson; a nephew, Scott Anderson; and several aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Donations in Mr. Bruhn’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice, in care of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Ore., 97834.
Debra Boutwell
Debra Lynn Boutwell, 49, of Halfway, died July 1, 2001, of natural causes at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise.
Her funeral was this morning at the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church in Halfway. The Rev. Bill Shields officiated. Interment was at Pine Haven Cemetery.
Mrs. Boutwell was born July 12, 1951, at Wichita, Kan., to Louis and Betty Brooks Sharp. She graduated in 1969 from Corona High School in Corona, Calif.
She met her future husband, Homer Boutwell, through a cousin of Homer’s. They had known each other just about a week when Homer asked her: “Do you know how to cook? Do you keep a clean house?”
She had the right answers, as well as her mother’s permission. One week later, on July 8, 1972, she married Homer Boutwell in Enid, Okla., at Homer’s parents’ home. Of this union they had two daughters, Angela and Teresa. In the fall of 1986, the family moved to Halfway.
Mrs. Boutwell had a great talent in hobbies and crafts. She enjoyed making items for her family which included photo albums, stuffed cows, pot holders, blankets, etc. She enjoyed visiting with friends, eating out, shopping and especially talking to her specially named friends on the telephone. Some of those telephone pet names included one knowing that he was her “only friend, ” or “Mamasita, ” or “double trouble”. . . and sometimes “triple trouble.”
She always had a positive attitude and never knew a stranger. She loved her family very much and enjoyed every moment she could be with them.
Mrs. Boutwell is survived by her husband, Homer; her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and J.P. Binford of Halfway, and Teresa and Paul Kelly of Boise; four grandchildren, Candace and Timothy Binford, and Elijah and Noah Kelly; her mother, Betty Sharp of Halfway; her sisters, Betty Pierson of Reseda, Calif., Betty Joyce “B.J.” Smith of Corona, and Donna Ogle of Paducah, Ken.; her brother, Robert Wright of Humble, Texas; and her loving additional companions, her five chihuahuas.
She was preceded in death by her father.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Boutwell’s memory may be sent to the family in care of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Ore., 97834.
