System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Beryl Rykken
Beryl Rykken, 95, a Baker City resident for the last six years, died Dec. 7, 2003, at Baker City.
Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. May 28, 2004, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland.
Beryl was born on Feb. 27, 1908, at Denver, Mo., to Tom Timberman and Susan Goucher Timberman. In 1912, Beryl moved with her family to Ismay, Mont., where her father was a railroad section foreman.
In 1913, they moved to Tusler, Mont. Another move in 1922 took them to Musselshell, Mont., where she graduated from high school in 1927.
She married Clarence T. Rykken at Musselshell on June 1, 1927. In 1935, she and her husband and their two daughters moved to Ashland. In 1937 she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Ashland where she was active teaching Sunday school, serving as elder, deacon and church school superintendent.
While in Ashland she also was a Laubach literacy tutor for several years, worked in agriculture and volunteered as an assistant director of activities at a nursing home.
After her husband, Clarence, died in 1982, she spent 14 years as a foster grandparent at Lincoln Elementary School, which was one of her most rewarding experiences.
In 1997, Beryl moved to Baker City with her son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Lyle Rykken.
Beryl had five brothers and four sisters, of which one sister, Katy Persons of Deer Lodge, Mont., survives.
Survivors also include her three children, Norman Rykken of Baker City, Helen Nelson of Toledo, Ohio, and Betty Shepherd of Ashland; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Baker City.
Leslie Barzee
Leslie John Barzee, 44, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 5, 2003, at St. Mary's Medical Center at Evansville, Ind.
At the family's request, there will be no funeral. Major Family Funeral Home of Springfield was in charge of arrangements.
Leslie was born on June 13, 1959, at Fullerton, Calif. He was a gentle person who loved people and was always brining home homeless people or others who were down and out. He would feed them and give them a place to stay for a few days even though he was disabled and had very little income himself.
He loved to play the guitar and sing. He was an amateur carpenter and woodworker. He also was a dreamer and thought that the world and its people should be a place of love and people helping one another. He tried to make a small difference by his own life. Family members say the world has lost and heaven has gained by his passing.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ada Haney of Baker City and Leslie and Ludean Harley of Baker City; an uncle, Irvin Palmer of Riverside, Calif.; and an aunt, Judy Haney of Portland.
Survivors include his mother, Edith Elaine Morris, and stepfather, Roy Morris, of Baker City; his father, Robert C. Barzee, and stepmother, Mary, of Eugene; his sisters, Marcha and Sharon; a grandson, Chris Barzee of Evansville, Ind.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Morris Vandewiele
Morris Joseph Vandewiele, 89, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 27, 2003, at his home in Hillsboro.
Morris was born on Aug. 8, 1914, at Baker City. He was the second of three children born to George and Euphrasia "Huys" Vandewiele. He was raised and educated in Baker City and was a 1932 graduate of St. Francis Academy High School.
Morris started working for the F.W. Woolworth Co. in Baker City in 1932 as a stock boy. He worked for the company for more than 44 years, retiring as executive vice president in 1978.
During those years, he also joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the Asian Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
He married Mildred Laura George on Feb. 7, 1938, at Baker City. During their marriage, they moved throughout the United States following Morris' career with the Woolworth Company. They lived at Walla Walla, Wash., Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New Providence, N.J.
In 1966 they moved to the New York City area where they lived until Morris retired in 1978. After retirement, the couple made their home at Hillsboro.
Among his special interests, Morris enjoyed gardening, listening to music and ballroom dancing with his beloved wife, Mildred. After retirement, he enjoyed playing golf with a group of gentlemen at the Sunset Grove golf course. Morris would say, "They are the finest men I have ever known, " when he would talk about his golfing buddies.
He also took care of his wife for more than a decade as she progressed through the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. When he could no longer care for her, he visited her daily. Morris was very close to his three children and his five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Huys Vandewiele; and his brother, Julius Vandewiele of Baker City.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred; daughter, Suzette Vandewiele of Chicago; a son, Gary, and his wife, Tammy Vandewiele of Lake Tahoe, Calif.; a son, Scott, and his wife, Jane Vandewiele of Marietta, Ga.; his sister, Ivona Chaves of Baker City; brother-in-law, Duane Sutton of Syracuse, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Rosemary George of Palm Desert, Calif.; five grandchildren, Devon, Daniel, Abbey, Max and Sam Vandewiele; nieces and nephews, including his nephews, Cass Vandewiele and his wife, Patty, and Richard Chaves and his wife, Kathleen, of Baker City.
Patricia Davis
Patricia Bernadette Davis, 69, of Baker City, died March 2, 2004, at her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St., followed by a graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery. Father Rob Irwin will officiate.
Friends are invited to join the family after the services for coffee in the St. Francis Parish Hall. Visitations will be held at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., on Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Patricia was born to Eric J. and Edith (Wilks) Darling on March 3, 1934, in Birmingham, England.
Pat lived in the Midlands until World War II, when she was sent to live in a convent near London. She lived in the convent until she was 17.
After the war ended she and her bothers returned to Wolverhampton. Pat then attended nursing school in England and became a registered nurse. She continued living in the Midlands where she began her life long career in nursing.
Patricia met Billy Oliver Davis, who was serving overseas in the U.S. Air Force, and the two were married and moved to London where Billy had got a job.
The couple had two boys, Bruce and Charles, both born in Gloustershire, England. Billy then moved his family to Boise and then to Seattle where he worked for Boeing. They lived in Seattle together until 1992 when Billy passed away.
After visiting a friend in Baker City, Patricia fell in love with the city and moved here in 1993. In Baker City she worked as a home health nurse. Through her job she met many people and started many friendships.
Patricia loved Eastern Oregon and enjoyed fishing, camping and going to the hot springs at Lehman. She also loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Pat is survived by her two sons, Bruce and his wife Emma of Baker City and Charles of Wolverhampton, England; four grandchildren, Trever and Emily of Baker City and Robert and Jenna of England; and one brother, Tony Darling of Wolverhampton, England.
She was preceded in death by her mother Edith and her brother Dennis.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Eastern Oregon Dialysis Center in care of Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726 Baker City, OR 97814.
Willis Foersterling
Willis Emil Foersterling, 78, a longtime Baker City resident, died March 2, 2004, at his home.
His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Susan Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Masonic Ritualistic Rites and military honors also will be conducted. Visitations will be from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Willis was born on July 30, 1925, at Baker City, to Willis Herbert and Zelda Mae Sparks Foersterling. He was educated at Sisley Creek near Durkee and at El Segurdo, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at Walla Walla, Wash., and served in the European Theater.
He was honorably discharged on June 19, 1946. He married Helen Foersterling in the early 1940s and they made their home in Baker City until her death in 1984.
He started working in sawmills and at various other jobs until going to work for Ash Grove Cement in 1974. He remained there until his retirement in 1987. On July 30, 1985, he married Vivian Johnson at Baker City.
Mr. Foersterling enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling. He was a member of the McEwen Masonic Lodge, American Legion, La Grande Knights Templar and Eastern Star, No. 11.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian of Baker City; sons and daughters-in-law, Terry Lee and Janyce Foersterling and Fred and Linda Foersterling, all of Baker City; stepsons, Ron Rounsville and his wife, Sandy, of Baker City and Bob Rounsville and his wife, Darlene, of Florida; half brother George B. Morton of Baker City; half sister, Erma Mosier of Seattle, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Helen; a son, Roger Larry; and two brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice or the Shriners Hospital for Children through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
R. Douglas Reinecke
R. Douglas Reinecke, 75, of Baker City, died Feb. 28, 2004, at his home after a lengthy illness.
A memorial Mass to honor Doug's life will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 2235 First St. Graveside inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Friends are invited to join the family in the praying of the rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at the cathedral. The Rev. Rob Irwin will officiate.
There will be a luncheon after the funeral in the Parish Hall.
Doug was born at Seneca, S.D., on Sept. 8, 1928, to Roy C. and Darlene Reinecke. His early years and grade schooling were spent around Seneca, Highmore and Leed, S.D. He graduated from high school at Wallace, Idaho.
Doug earned his bachelor's degree in 1952 and his master's degree in 1955 from Eastern Oregon College at La Grande. Doug also had completed 36 hours toward his doctorate in education.
Doug married Theresa Brown at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City on Aug. 26, 1950. Together they raised five children: Sherri Eng, Daman Reinecke, Shawn Morse, Synthia Reinecke and Suzanne Schooler.
Doug served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed at El Toro Marine Base in California.
He taught grade school and was principal at Wallowa. He also taught in La Grande at Central School and at La Grande Junior High School.
In 1959, Doug and his family moved to San Jose, Calif. While in California he worked for the Los Altos School District and the Moreland School District. He was vice principal of Rogers Junior High at San Jose and principal of many of the district's grade schools. He was superintendent of summer school.
He wrote remedial math programs for Moreland School District and taught remedial math. He also was a junior high school athletic coach. The Reineckes lived at San Jose until Doug retired from education and administration in 1986. At that time they returned to Baker City.
He took early retirement from education, after 33 years in that line of work, to return to Baker City and spend time with his father, Roy Reinecke Sr. But because his father suffered from Alzheimer's disease, that was impossible.
Doug enjoyed children, teaching, fishing, hunting, sports and being with his family and friends. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, the California Teachers Association, Moreland Retired Teacher's Association and the Baker Elks Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa; their children, Sherri Enz and her husband, Ron, of Granite Bay, Calif., Damon and his wife, Pat, of San Jose, Calif., Shawn Morse and her husband, Mike, of Aptos, Calif., Synthia Reinecke and Suzanne Schooler and her husband, David; and grandchildren, Ryan Douglas Enz, Eric and Katie Reinecke, Aimie Northrip and Joseph, Elizabeth and Robert Douglas Schooler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Eva Reinecke.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral or the American Heart Association through Gray's West & Co., PO Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Thelma Thompson
Thelma E. Thompson, 98, died Feb. 23, 2004, at Meadowbrook Place in Baker City where she had lived for the past several years.
A memorial service will be scheduled later.
Thelma was born on Dec. 27, 1905, at Pleasant Valley, the second daughter of George Harvey and Rosella Harrison Elmer. When she was a young girl, the family moved to Upper Dry Creek near Halfway. She attended school at Upper Dry Creek, Halfway High School and then took nurse's training at La Grande Hospital.
Thelma married Robert Dolliver Thompson on Aug. 3, 1929. He died on Aug. 22, 1998.
Thelma was known locally for her beautiful flower gardens. She loved the mountains and drove her Jeep to Little Eagle Meadows where she and Dolliver had a cabin. She spent her summers either there or at their cabin at McBride.
She also was preceded in death by her sisters, Edna Littlefield and infant, Jennie Rose; and a brother, Edward.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Carroll and Benita of Halfway and Donald and Carol of Pendleton; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Granite Peaks Assisted Living through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Almina Spence
Almina May Duckett Spence died Feb. 28, 2004.
Mina was the mother of four children: Cherri Lyon of Jefferson, Elaine Spence of West Linn, Patrick Spence of Snohomish, Wash., and Curt Spence of Dallas, Texas.
She was an accomplished seamstress and cook. She also loved knitting and crocheting. People who were lucky enough to get a sweater loved the beauty and quality of her work. Her jams and syrups were highly praised and sought after.
Mina loved and was loved by her family and friends. She had a unique quality of being able to keep friends for a lifetime. She was a strong woman who was capable of raising four children alone after her husband died. During that time, she also received her GED and earned a college degree.
Mina died of ovarian cancer. The family requests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society. Her daughter, Cherri, also will be "Walking for the Cure" in June for those who would like to sponsor her.
In addition to her children, she is survived by her companion, Don Lewis; her sisters, Mary Crane and Jimmy Markham; and her grandchildren, Kim, Tracy, Sadie, Jennifer, Carol Anne, Josh, Emma and Sam.
Arrangements are under the direction of the DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel of Corvallis, 815 N.W. Buchanan, Corvallis, OR 97330.
Hazel Schetky
Hazel Schetky, 95, of Baker City died Feb. 23, 2004, at her home on the Medical Springs Highway.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. The Rev. Rob Irwin will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the St. Francis de Sales Parish Hall. Her urn will be buried later next to her husband at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
The daughter of Henry and Emma Marlette, Hazel was born on Feb. 10, 1909, at Los Angeles. After attending UCLA, Hazel held a position as an insurance underwriter in Los Angeles and dedicated herself to raising her children, Elizabeth and Tom.
She retired in the early 1960s and fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Africa. On the freighter to Africa she met Lionel Schetky and they spent several enjoyable days chatting. When they arrived in South Africa a clearly smitten Lionel informed her that he "would see her again, " but Hazel told friends and family that Lionel, while quite dashing, was a bit "too wild."
Hazel and Lionel were married in Johannesburg, South Africa, in April of 1963. She joined Lionel in Baker City and found ranch life much to her liking; they complemented each other and were married for the next 23 years. They spent many winters indulging their shared love of travel, voyaging to Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand and Europe.
After Lionel died in 1987, Hazel continued to live on the ranch and did a bit of traveling, but her life was increasingly constricted by advancing Alzheimer's disease. Unlike many so afflicted with this disease Hazel was able to keep her calm and sunny disposition and remain at home where she was lovingly cared for by Mary and Stephen Phillips.
Survivors include her children, Elizabeth Flynn of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Tom Brooks of Lake Tahoe, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Dr. Helen Schetky Benschiedt of Tigard; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and 15 stepgreat- grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Mary Blanke; a stepdaughter, Barbara Schetky Mills; and two stepgrandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Alzheimer's Association through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
