System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Peter Warhol
Peter Warhol, 99, a former Halfway resident, died Nov. 3, 2002, at a nursing home in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
He had elected to receive only comfort measures for pneumonia, thereby dying as he had lived: on his own terms.
A memorial service will be held November 21, in Waterloo, Iowa.
His 99-year life was remarkable for its extraordinary accomplishments. Born in Minneapolis to immigrant parents in a family of six boys, he lost his mother when he was 11, which required household chores and employment at an early age.
Because of this workload, when asked for details of his boyhood he would usually say that "it wasn't very interesting."
Characteristic of his lifelong independence and confidence was his attending his high school graduation from the audience. He and a friend had completed their college requirements and quit school a semester early. The administration had disagreed with their innovative program and refused to issue them diplomas.
Overcoming obstacles of finance and health, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in metallurgical engineering from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis in 1929 and began an unusually creative and distinguished career.
While working for the Butler Bros. Mining Co. he discovered the Fuller's Earth District near Thomasville, Ga. On the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota he introduced several important mining and mineral-processing innovations still in use today.
He was president of Butler Brothers when the company was sold in 1948. He spent the next 2 years with the Leo Butler Construction Co. in Washington D.C., then joined the Ogleby Norton Co. to be in charge of the first taconite development in Minnesota.
This project included the construction of a new town of 10, 000. Just the pilot (proving) plant for the mineral concentrator dwarfed any similar plant existing at the time.
Rejoining Butler Brothers in 1952, he was involved in natural gas exploration, cattle ranching, the introduction of natural gas to northern Minnesota, and the liquidation of Butler timber and mining properties in Idaho and Oregon, two of which were the Iron Dike and the Red Ledge mines on the Snake River. Attempts to develop these mines had first brought him to Eastern Oregon and created his high regard for the area.
He served for 19 years as a key trustee of the Hazelden Foundation, the first and foremost center for the treatment of alcoholism, which had been founded by Patrick Butler. Several professional activities included the presidency of the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Alumni Association.
His technical expertise and financial judgement benefited whatever church or civic organization he joined.
After retiring for several years in Minneapolis, he and his wife, Martha, lived for three years at Laguna Hills, Calif. They then moved to Halfway to be with their daughter, Patricia, and son-in-law, Tony Sowers. He enjoyed his new friends and new community.
Survivors include his daughter, Patricia; sons Warren and Richard; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Valley Presbyterian Church or to Granite Peaks Assisted Living in Halfway.
Roland Gorte
Roland Gorte, 74, of Baker City, died Nov. 13, 2002, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise.
His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Lenny Spooner of the church will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the First Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall.
Roland George Gorte was born on July 26, 1928, at Portland to Christian and Christina Pauley Gorte. He was the fourth child, with a sister born later, to make a family of five siblings.
He grew up in Portland, receiving his education there. He entered the U.S. Army on Oct. 26, 1946, and was honorably discharged on April 8, 1948.
After his discharge, he, his brother and his father purchased Baker City Garbage and moved to Baker City. He continued to be a part of the company until 1969.
After the business sold, he went to work at Ellingson Lumber Co. He remained there until January of 1993 when he retired.
Roland enjoyed people. He always seemed to know everyone; no matter where or what the situation, he enjoyed everyone. He treasured his children and grandchildren and was "Unc" to many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He enjoyed hunting trips with Rick and his friends, shopping and lunches out with Leslie and some of his favorite card games were with Lynne. He was proud of the accomplishments of Carol and her successful career. His friends and their card games at the Elks and his coffee buddies were a very important part of each day for him.
Roland and LaVelle Pritchard were married on Nov. 10, 1961, at Weiser. The celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary in 2001 was a memorable and honored occasion.
Survivors include his wife, LaVelle; a daughter, Carol; a son, Rick, and his wife, Debbie; daughter, Lynne; son-in-law, Mark Estes; sister, Florence, and her husband, Harold Fritzler; brother, Calvin, and his wife, Betty Gorte; granddaughters, April Rogers, and Randi and her husband, Chris Marshall; grandsons, Joshua Gorte, Jamie Gorte and Trevor Johnson; three great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons; many nieces and nephews; and his true buddy, his dog, Butch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, David and Robert; daughter, Leslie Estes; and two sisters, Ruth Honegger and Delores Van Marter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker County Senior Center or the Guide Dogs Inc. through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Brianne Craig
Brianne Lillian Craig, 20, died Nov. 13, 2002, as a result of an automobile accident.
There will be a celebration of life service for her at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Baker Eagles Lodge No. 3456, 2935 H St. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate.
Brianne was born April 22, 1982, at Gillette, Wyo. She moved with her family to Baker City in 1983. She was a Baker High School graduate and spent her next two summers in the place she loved most, the mountains. She was a wildland firefighter.
Brianne was well known for her attitude, sense of humor, and her loving and courageous heart. You would most likely find Brianne either playing basketball or kickin' it in the mountains with her friends.
She had an uplifting spirit and could brighten any gloomy day. The best and closest of her friends remember her as strong and free-willed. She was very independent and no person or obstacle could stand in her way. Brianne will be extremely missed and always remembered forever by all of her loving family and friends.
Survivors include her parents, John and Linda Craig, her brother, Nathan Craig, and her sister, Ashley Craig, all of Baker City; grandparents, Hank and Georgiana King; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and endless friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Clarence and Lillian Craig; and uncles Larry King and Patrick O'Boyle.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, Baker Branch through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Joshua Hardesty
Joshua A. Hardesty, 19, a longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 13, 2002, as the result of an automobile accident.
There will be a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. Sunday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St. Pastor Monte Loyd of the Baker Valley Christian Assembly will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the family home. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Josh was born at Grass Valley, Calif., on July 5, 1983, and moved to Baker City in 1989. He was a 2001 Baker High School graduate.
Joshua was employed at Mel's Discount Auto Parts as the exhaust specialist. He was known as "The Muffler Guy."
Joshua was an avid hunter, both rifle and archery. He was proud of his 5-by-5 Pope and Young buck. Most of all, his greatest achievement was his daughter, Dallas.
He will be missed by all his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Watson (Frank and Alpha) of Baker City and Mr. and Mrs. Erman P. and Carmen Hardesty of San Francisco; his uncles, William F. "Skip" Watson and Jerry Lee Watson, both of California.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Hardesty, and daughter, Dallas Brooke Hardesty of Baker City; his parents, Paul E. and Loana Hardesty of Grass Valley, Calif., and Robert and Victoria Worsham of Baker City; brother, Justin and Kristy Watson; sisters, Holly Hardesty and Tammy Hardesty and brothers, Timothy and Raymond Sullivan; aunts, Julia Bingham, Laura Watson, Cindy Shukle; uncle, Rodger Watson; cousins, Will Watson, Kimberley Bingham, John Beatty, Colleen Klassen, Rick Watson, Tracy Watson, Rhonda Yanez, Michelle Rosin, Todd Beatty, Chris Beatty (his best cuz), Ashleigh King, Alexis Rosin. Nephew Kasey Watson; and niece, Teija Hardesty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association through Coles Funeral Home 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Dale Nordbye II
Dale LaVerne Nordbye II, 20, of Baker City died Nov. 13, 2002, as the result of an automobile accident.
There will be a celebration of life service for him at 3 p.m. Monday at the Elkhorn Baptist Church, 3520 Birch St. Assistant Pastor Russ Bowen will officiate.
Dale was born on Oct. 29, 1982, to Dale and Cynthia Nordbye at Sacramento, Calif. He attended grade school at Sacramento and moved to Baker City in 1994. He attended Baker Middle School and finished his education at Agape Christian School.
Dale loved to be outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved playing Little League baseball, listening to music, and playing video games. He worked at the Chameleon as a chef and at the Sunridge Inn as a cook. He loved cooking for family and friends and did all of the cooking for his sister's wedding.
Survivors include his parents, Dale Sr. and Cynthia Nordbye of Baker City; sister, Theresa Ferrer, and her companion, Fidel, and sister, Nachita Ferrer, all of Galt, Calif.; sister, Stephanie Gonzales of Hawthorne, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Jessica and Brent Bailey of Arlington, Wash.; his girlfriend, Kecia Davis of Baker City; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA or the American Cancer Society through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
‘Roy' Hollingsworth
Bernard "Roy" Hollingsworth, 80, of Huntington died Nov. 12, 2002, at his home.
At his request, there will be no funeral. Coles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hollingsworth was born June 13, 1922, at Christman, Ill. He was a son of Joseph Howard and Pearl Frances Griffith Hollingsworth.
He was educated at Christman, Ill., and joined the U.S. Navy at Bremerton, Wash., during World War II as a seaman 1st class. He served on a fleet oiler in the Aleutian Islands.
Upon returning to Portland after the war, he met and married Nina Poulos at Vancouver, Wash., while working in the shipyards as a welder. He returned to Illinois and worked on a farm for a couple of years before returning to Oregon.
Mr. Hollingsworth then went to work as a meat cutter at Huntington. He worked at Huntington for several months and then at Baker City for a year and a half.
He then moved to Burns for two years and then to Portland until his retirement. After his retirement, he and his wife, Nina, returned to Huntington.
He was a member of the Meat Cutters Union 555 at Portland.
Mr. Hollingsworth described himself as a lay arounder. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling.
Survivors include his children, Gary and Terry Hollingsworth of Portland, Jim and Karen Hollingsworth of Olympia, Wash., Linda and Jason McGowan of Arizona, Kenneth Van Kirk of Boise and Ronald Van Kirk of Germany; a brother Jim Hollingsworth of Vancouver, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and one brother, Rex Hollingsworth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington Lions Club through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Florence Francis
Florence R. Francis, 83, a Baker City resident, died Nov. 12, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Her funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1734 Third St. Pastor Dennis Hickman of First Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the church.
Mrs. Francis was born May 10, 1919, at Denbigh, N.D., to Jennie Janet Pritchett DeShaw and Phillip Edward DeShaw.
She married Willard B. Francis July 31, 1935, at Baker.
Mrs. Francis will be remembered by many as the longtime proprietor of Memory House Antiques. She also liked to garden and tend her roses. In her earlier years, she enjoyed camping and fly-fishing.
Survivors include her brother, Gene DeShaw of Baker City; sisters, Josephine Jensen of Haines and Loretta Summerall of Mountain Home, Idaho; sons and their wives, David B. and Mary Francis of Boise, Monte B. and Cindy Francis of Dufur, and Rick L. and Judy Francis of Baker City; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and nine nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brother, Phillip Edward DeShaw; husband Willard; and daughter, Sherry Lee Schaer.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church youth group through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Helen Pearson
Helen Caroline Pearson, 93, a lifelong Baker City resident, died Nov. 12, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the cathedral. The Rev. Rob Irwin of the Catholic Church will officiate. Vault interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to join the family for a luncheon after the service at the Parish Hall.
Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Helen Caroline Pearson was born Nov. 9, 1909, to Charles H. and Edna L. Colton at Baker City, where she lived her entire life.
She taught school for 43 years, mostly in the one-room schoolhouses throughout Baker County. It was necessary in those days to arrive much earlier than her students in order to warm and ready the building for the day.
Helen completed her teaching career at Keating where she taught for many years. She received her education at Southern Oregon Normal School in Ashland (now Southern Oregon University) and at Eastern Oregon Normal School (now Eastern Oregon University) in La Grande.
She enjoyed her students very much and worked hard at doing a good job. She had no children of her own, but many nephews would spend the summer at their ranch helping with the work and being treated to fishing trips at Eagle Creek. Many family outings were spent on the Snake River water skiing and picnicking.
Helen married Floyd Pearson on Jan. 1, 1931, at Baker City. He died in 1983.
Survivors include her three sisters, Viola Gaddis, LaVelle Long and Patricia Culley, and a sister-in-law, Doris Colton, all of Baker City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Charles and Walter Colton; and a sister, Hildreth Lindley.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Covenant House, St. Francis Food Bank or a charity of one's choice through Gray's West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Lena L. Frericks
Lena Lorene Frericks, 78, a longtime Baker City resident, died Nov. 9, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
Recitation of the rosary will be Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. The Rev. Rob Irwin of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church.
Visitations will be Friday from noon to 5 p.m. at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Lena was born in North Powder on Feb. 2, 1924, to Stanley Shaw and Ethel Tally Shaw. She graduated from North Powder High School in 1942, and then attended Baker Business College.
Lena began working in Baker City at Lew Brothers Tires, and at the Geiser Grand Hotel. She met Joe Frericks after he came home from World War II, and they were married on Oct. 14, 1949. They had three daughters, and Lena was a homemaker for many years until her daughters were out on their own.
She was active in the VFW Auxiliary, was a past president, and was a co-leader for the VFW Junior Girls Unit. She took the girls baton twirling group to march in many parades, and they did activities to benefit our local veterans. Lena was also active as a 4-H leader of a knitting and sewing group. She continued her interest in knitting through the years, eventually opening her own yarn shop downtown — The Knitting Nook — which she operated along with the Greyhound bus depot for several years.
She closed the yarn shop in 1992, when she and Joe retired.
Lena also enjoyed league bowling, playing pinochle, working on the local election board, and she spent many volunteer hours at the Oregon Trail Museum, and the Community Connection Senior Center. In later years, she and Joe joined the Good Sam Club and enjoyed their regular social meetings and their RV outings around the state.
Lena was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Lena is survived by her husband, Joe Frericks; her daughters and sons-in-law, Nikki Hylton Rankin and Russ Rankin, Karen and Steve Cloudt, and Mary Jo and Stuart Carpenter; eight grandchildren, Ryan, Tracy, Mindi and Erica Hylton, and David, Christy, Andrea and Amy Cloudt; two step-grandchildren, Jake and Becky Rankin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dale Cain, Ann Shaw, Ted and Clare Frericks, Leo Frericks, Connie and Bill Fisher, Louise Todd, and Ramona Idler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by all her sisters and a brother, Eileen Head, Lucille Cain, Ardith LaDuke, and Sherwood Shaw; and her son-in-law, Bill Hylton.
Memorial contributions can be made to VFW Cancer Center, Commission for the Blind or Meals on Wheels in care of Gray's West & Company, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
