Obituaries for May 17, 2017

Published 12:35 pm Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Catherine Johansen

Catherine Irene Meinecke Johansen, 87, died April 25, 2017, at her home from natural causes.

A graveside service was May 6 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sherwood. Catherine is buried in a family plot next to her husband, Glenn.

She was born at Portland, and spent most of her youth in Sherwood. She met the love of her life, Glenwood Johansen, through relatives. They were married in 1948.

Catherine was a stay-at-home mom, raising four children, making homemade bread and cookies. When her mom started a restaurant, Mae’s Cafe at Tualatin, Catherine helped her out by waitressing and doing the books.

Mom loved to play card games with her family and friends. Winning was important in her family so slyly being able to cheat was as much a challenge as playing the game.

Mom had family get-togethers at her home and when everyone showed up it was often loud and crazy. Every time one of her children or grandchildren would be fighting she’d sit them on the couch together and say, “Love one another!”

When Glenn passed away 39 years ago, Mom was forced to learn how to drive. She got her first driver’s license at the age of 48.

Catherine was a devoted wife and mother and will be missed, family members said.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Glenn Johansen; her parents, Edmond and Mae Meinecke; an infant sister, Loretta Mae; and her brothers, Ervin and Mike Meinecke.

Survivors include her children, Pearl (Jake) Schrag of Coos Bay, Gary (Cindy) Johansen of Baker City, Terry (Jayne) Johansen of Sherwood, and Cathy Floyd of Portland; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Norma Russell

Baker City, 1923-2017

Norma Marilyn Russell, 94, died May 10, 2017, at Settlers Park in Baker City.

There will be no public service. The family will have a private celebration of Norma’s life at the coast in the near future.

Norma was born on Feb. 2, 1923, at Lynchburg, West Virginia. At the age of 5, she found herself an orphan and was passed around between aunts, uncles and various foster homes.

She finally found a wonderful lady of German descent who welcomed Norma into her family and raised her seeing her through graduation from high school.

After graduating, Norma and a few close girlfriends rented their own apartment in Washington, D.C. While there, Norma began working for a famous photographic studio, Harris and Ewing.

She also participated as a stenographer during World War II for the antiaircraft artillery command in Washington, D.C., and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

Norma met the love of her entire life, Bob Russell, while attending a USO dance. She always said “I met the man I could marry tonight, but he will never ask me.”

After losing her phone number for two weeks, Bob found it and called Norma, which resulted in a marriage of 72 years. Norma and Bob relocated so Bob could attend Oregon State College while Norma worked and until Bob completed his college education.

While Bob was working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife they were relocated frequently, but Norma never failed to make a “home” for her family no matter where they were. She always provided opportunities for music and dance lessons for her children, encouraging them to do their best and pursue their interests.

Retiring in Sequim, Washington, Norma enjoyed 35 years of golfing, camping, and fishing with her husband. She also enjoyed years of clamming and crabbing, which was a favorite past-time for her entire family.

Norma and Bob moved to Baker City in 2002 so she could be closer to her family. Norma always made sure to encourage her family in any endeavors to pursue their education, save and spend wisely, and to always have fun. She made our lives better by doing so and she was always very generous with her support and praise.

Survivors include her brother, Bruce Aaron, 96, of Everett, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Susan Huddleston and her husband, Wade, of Baker City, and Terry Underhill and her husband, Dave, of Bend; grandsons, Tad Duby and his wife, Denise, of Boise, Ty Duby and his wife, Dottie, of Baker City, and Matthew Walkley and his wife, Valerie, of Bend; great-grandsons, Colton Duby of Boise, and Kyle Logsten and Gabe Logsten of Baker City; great- granddaughters, Taryn Duby of Boise, Brooke Duby of Baker City, and Shenae Burglund and her husband, Logan, of Baker City; and great-great-grandaughters, Emmie Dickison and Aveni Burglund of Baker City.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Russell; her son, Paul Russell; and four brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

To light a candle for Norma, or to leave a condolence for the family, go to www.grayswestco.com

Bill Boles

Baker City, 1929-2017

William “Bill” Russell Boles, 87, of Baker City, died May 5, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family.

A memorial and celebration of Bill’s life will be Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. at the Baker Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane, followed by a reception with refreshments at the church. Associate Pastor Lennie Spooner will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill’s life.

Bill was born on May 30, 1929, at McDonald County, Missouri to James “Slim” Plennie Boles and Bessie “Jewel” Boles. In 1936, at the age of seven, he and his parents moved to Baker City from Powell, Missouri. They were originally headed for Oregon City, but his father was able to obtain local employment as a logger, and Baker City soon became home. Baker County’s beauty, trees, rivers, fishing and hunting and the Elkhorn and Eagle Cap Mountains were all deciding factors to call Baker City home.

Bill attended all four Baker City elementary schools, Baker Junior and Senior High. Beginning by the age of nine, he began working various jobs: USFS lookout tower in Bates; bellhop at Baker Hotel; Sumpter Valley Railroad; Oregon Lumber Company and Poe Motors. Then in 1963 Bill accepted a position as plant manager of Powder River Livestock Handling Equipment, formerly known as Commercial Welding in Baker City, where he worked for more than 30 years until his retirement.

Bill was a great family man and a loving father. He married Verla Cathey on Aug. 28, 1947, and the couple had two children together, Steve Boles and Lynette Allen. Bill was an active man throughout his life. He contributed his foundation of deep-seated faith and love of God to his upbringing from great parents and also to his 70 years with his wife, Verla.

His enjoyment of the outdoors included many fishing trips to Alaska, Canada, Montana’s “Gates of the Mountain,” Northwest lakes, rivers and streams, and many hunting and camping excursions. Also deeply rooted within him was his love of metal fabrication and design. He possessed broad and detailed knowledge of United States history, especially the local and state history. And as a gifted musician, both vocally and in guitar, there was a constant song in his heart and mind. His enjoyment of professional bull riding, rodeos and growing tomatoes remained a pastime for him throughout his life. Although his desire of spending time with family and friends was always top priority.

His family and friends will always remember him as a faithful, honorable, loving, giving, as well as an intelligent and hard-working person. He could brighten a day with his wit or humor, a smile, those sparkling blue eyes and a serenade of a song from his heart. He will be forever missed and forever loved.

Bill is survived by his wife, Verla; his son, Steve Boles; his daughter, Lynette Allen and her husband, Billy; his grandson, Luke Boles, and great-grandson Taygen Boles; cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Slim and Jewel Boles of Baker City; an infant brother; his maternal grandparents, William and Martha Ridenour; and his paternal grandparents, Thomas and Adeline Boles.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Adcox; the Fresenius Kidney Care and staff; Dr. Stephen Bump; Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics; Dr. Randy Alanko; Dr. Steven Delashmutt; St. Alphonsus and St. Luke’s hospitals, Heart ’N Home, Baker Church of the Nazarene and its members, family and friends, neighbors within the community for all their prayers, support and friendships.

Donations can be sent to the Baker Heritage Museum or to a charity of ones choice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

Robert Woolery Sr.

Sumpter, 1945-2017

Robert J. Woolery Sr., 71, of Sumpter, died May 12, 2017, at the Veterans Hospital in Boise.

A private family service is planned for later in the summer. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel.

Robert was born June 6, 1945, at Caldwell, Idaho, to Clark R. and Pauline E. (Griffin) Woolery. He was raised most of his childhood by his mother and stepfather, Philip Nicely. He graduated from Baker High School in 1963. He later joined the U.S. Army, retiring after serving his country for 22 years.

He gained training in special ops, and was an instructor for nuclear, biological and chemical readiness. Robert also went to school to become a licensed practical nurse. He worked for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City for 12 years.

On Oct. 31, 2014, he married Ruth Teunissen at Riverside, California.

Robert enjoyed playing Santa Claus for quite some time. He made appearances at elementary schools, D&B Supply and the hospital. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, working in his shop and riding his tractor.

Robert is survived by his wife, Ruth Teunissen of Sumpter; his mother, Polly Nicely of Baker City; a daughter, Cookie Smythers of Culpepper, Virginia, and a son, Robbie Woolery of Friendsville, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clark Woolery; his stepfather, Philip Nicely; and a brother, Philip Nicely Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Program through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814. To light a candle for Robert, or to offer condolences to his family, go to www.grayswestco.com

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