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Leslie Stevens
1950-2004
Leslie Stevens, a 26-year resident of Cottage Grove, died March 8 at the age of 53 from heart failure due to an illness.
He was born on Dec. 10, 1950, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Almond and Pearl Stevens. He graduated from LaQuinta High School in Westminster, Calif., in 1969.
He previously lived in California and Eugene.
He lived with his domestic partner, Jim Ritcher, also of Cottage Grove, for eight years.
He had been superintendent for West Lawn Memorial Park and Lane Memorial Park Gardens since June 6, 1979. He received a superintendent of the year award in 2002, along with many other work-related awards.
He loved cribbage, computer games, ceramics, gardening and being a handyman. He was always helping other people.
Survivors include his companion; parents; brother: Mark Stevens of Corona, Calif.; sisters: Kathy Stevens of Corona, Calif., Charlotte Roberts of Eugene and Sharon Bilieu of Maryville, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service was held at the Chapel of Memories in Eugene Friday.
Memorial contributions can be made to Greenhill Humane Society or cancer association.
Patrick Hampton
1955-2004
Patrick Hampton of Cottage Grove died March 10 at the age of 48 from prostate cancer.
He was born on Nov. 29, 1955, in Long Beach, Calif., to Gordon Hampton and Donna Armor. He completed two years of higher education.
He formerly lived in Yorba Linda, Calif., Fullerton, Calif., and Riverside, Calif.
He married Lynn Rosendahl in Fullerton, Calif., on Sept. 9, 1978.
He was a small business owner, former owner of Herb's Cycle Town in Cottage Grove and founder of Cycle Town Racing Team. He was previously a master technician in the automotive and motorcycle industry.
He enjoyed model trains, motorcycles, birds, gardening, camping, family gatherings and being with friends.
He is survived by his wife; parents; sons: Christopher Hampton of Eugene, Kyle, and his wife, Sara, Hampton of Eugene and Corey Hampton of Cottage Grove; brother: Kevin Hampton of Cottage Grove; half-sister: Beth Davis of Washington; and stepsister: Linda Ray of Venice, Calif.
A memorial service was held Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Cottage Grove. Inurnment was at Fir Grove Cemetery. Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Nelda Fay Oviatt
1932-2004
Nelda Fay Oviatt, 71, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died March 3 from ovarian cancer.
She was born on Aug. 10, 1932, in Prineville to Jacob and Ruth Schwarzer. She moved with her family to Cottage Grove, where she attended and graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1950.
She married Donald Oviatt on Dec. 10, 1950, in Crescent City, Calif. They lived there and in Brookings for several years before moving to Napa, Calif. He died in 1982.
She worked until January for the Napa School District as an instructional aide with children from kindergarten through high school.
She loved spending time with family, square and round dancing, traveling and singing in her church choir.
She is survived by a son: Donald James Jr. of Napa, Calif.; two daughters and sons-in-law: Suzzonne and Bobby Navarro of Crescent City, Calif., and Tami and Shawn Moore of Novato, Calif.; six grandchildren; brothers: Arthur Miller of Prineville, Karl and his wife, Lorraine, Miller of Hillsboro, and Daniel Schwarzer of Palmer, Alaska; and sister: Frieda Williams of Cottage Grove.
Memorial services are scheduled for March 27 at Forrestville Methodist Church and at Valley Oak School in Napa on March 30. Memorial contributions can be made to a favorite charity.
Lavilla C. Peterson
1903-2004
Lavilla C. Peterson of Cottage Grove died March 13 at the age of 100 from age-related causes.
She was born on May 18, 1903, to Hans and Amelia Dalager in Glenwood, Minn. She lived her entire life in Glenwood, Minn., and moved to Cottage Grove in 2002 to be close to her daughter.
She attended the Normal School for Teaching and was a teacher and homemaker.
She was married to John Peterson, who died in 1988.
She was always concerned about her family and enjoyed family history and reading.
She attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove.
Survivors are daughter and son-in-law: Lila and Tom Creager of Cottage Grove; sons: Robert Peterson of Glenwood, Minn., Hans Peterson of Dallas, Texas, and Ralph Peterson of Glenwood, Minn.; 28 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
A service and interment is scheduled for March 20 at Barsness Lutheran Church in Glenwood, Minn.
Memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 S. Seventh St., in Cottage Grove.
