Mabel Lennberg

Former Baker City resident, 1925-2018

Mabel A. Lennberg, 92, a former Baker City resident, died Jan. 14, 2018, at Roseville, California.

Mabel was born on Nov. 30, 1925, at Akeley, Minnesota, the eldest of three daughters born to Has Christian and Mamie Nielsen.

Affectionately known as “Mimi” by her family, she married her lifelong partner, Roy Lennberg, on Oct. 25, 1943, during a military officer leave he was granted. Mimi was a brave new bride and mother raising two beautiful daughters while Roy served in both World War II and the Korean War during their early years together.

During their 69-year marriage, they made their homes in Minnesota, California and Oregon. Roy preceded Mimi in death in March 2013.

In 1992, the Lennbergs moved to Baker City where they would make their home for the next 19 years. During their years in Baker, Mimi was a member of the First Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

In 2011, Roy and Mimi relocated to Lakeview to be near family. While in Lakeview, Mimi was a member of the Open Bible Church and enjoyed the Lake County Senior luncheons nearly every Wednesday.

Mimi will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens, her love of dancing, decorating for and celebrating every holiday and, most of all, for being a loyal, loving mother and grandmother.

She treasured her role as a traditional homemaker and her home was the center of all family functions.

“We take great comfort knowing that Papa Roy and Mimi are waltzing together again!” family members said.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; and her sons-in-law, Alan Wyatt and Michael Moore.

Survivors include her sisters, Mildred Wall of Baker City and Joyce Schweitzer of Roseville, California; her daughters, Betty Moore of Roseville, California, and Vikki Wyatt of Lakeview; grandchilden and spouses, Leigh Ann Evans of Lakeview, Wells Wyatt of Hazelton, Idaho, Heather Atherton of Rocklin, California, and Sean Moore of Oakland, California; and six great-grandchildren.

Rosalie Stoaks

Baker City, 1933-2018

Rosalie Stoaks, 84, a longtime Baker City resident, died Jan. 18, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family.

A celebration of her life will take place Saturday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Third and Broadway streets. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck reception at the church immediately after the service.

Rosalie May was born on Feb. 18, 1933, at Marsland, Nebraska, to Mack and Ila Bissonnett. During her youth she moved many places including Caldwell, Moscow and Apple Valley, Idaho; Ontario, Baker and Athena, Oregon and also Port Orchard, Washington.

Rosalie married Charles “Charlie” Stoaks on Dec. 6, 1949, at the Baptist Church in Athena. They moved to Baker in 1950. Shortly after moving, Charlie broke his back and was out of commission for some time. It was also during this time, as Rosalie was expecting their first child, that their house burned down. Meanwhile, they moved in with Rosalie’s parents while their house was being rebuilt.

On Sept. 28, 1950, they had their first child, Robert Harrison. Sadly, he lived for only 12 hours. Rosalie and Charlie continued to be blessed by the addition of children — Ila Jane, who was born Sept. 18, 1951; Ronald James, July 10, 1953; David Charles, July 6, 1956; Stephen Ray, Oct. 30, 1958; Gary Dean, Sept. 15, 1964; Alida Marie, March 9, 1974; Amy Kathleen, March 17, 1975; and they adopted Alida and Amy in 1975.

In 1956 Charlie was severely burned and was not expected to live. He spent three weeks in the hospital and much more time recovering at home. In 1967, they lost their son, David, to a brain tumor when he was only 11 years old.

Rosalie and Charlie began taking in foster children in 1951, while they themselves were still technically teenagers, and didn’t stop until 1976. More than 100 foster children came through their home. At one time they had around 30 people living in their three-bedroom house.

Rosalie worked as a cook for the Baker 5J School District. She also cooked at Camp Elkanah, a conservative Baptist Church Camp, for many summers.

Rosalie was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She lived a life dedicated to Christ, which was evidenced by her selfless care of others, her kind and clean speech (she didn’t even use slang) and her loyalty to her church and family. She considered everyone family.

When asked what Rosalie enjoyed most during her life she replied, “Being a wife and mother.” The phrase she used most often was, “I love you.” and she truly meant it. She loved showing hospitality and nobody ever went away hungry. In addition, she was an avid reader.

Rosalie is survived by her children: sons, Ronald James Stoaks and his wife, Rochelle, Stephen Ray Stoaks and his wife, Frances, Gary Dean Stoaks and his wife, Devin; daughters, Ila Jane (Jani) Sakultarawattn and her husband. Chamrus (Mo), Alida Marie Saunders and her husband, Robert, Amy Kathleen Griffin and her husband, Griff; 33 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Ronald “Ron” William Bissonnett and his wife, Rosemarie; her sisters, Beulah Jane Shumway and her husband, Duane, Ila Belle McGuire and her husband, Leon, and Patricia Ann McReynolds and her husband, Roger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Ila Bissonnett; her husband, Charlie; and her sons, Robert and David Stoaks.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Rosalie the family suggests the Rachel Pregnancy Center through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com