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Marian Watt
Marian Watt, 91, died in Ashland on January 8, 2004. Busy and active until the last hours of her life, she had just taken a computer lesson, was working on a family genealogy and had a pot of chicken soup cooking on the stove when she suffered a stroke.
Marian Caroline Gary was born September 18, 1912 in Willamette (now West Linn), Oregon. Her father, Theodore James Gary, was the principal of Buckman School in Portland. Her mother, Marian Swanby Gary, had taught in one room schools. Marian had an older brother, Ted.
Marian attended Oregon State College (now OSU). She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in education in 1934. After graduation, she taught high school in Canby, Salem and Portland for six years.
In 1940, Marian married Dr. Donald Crane Prentiss. They lived in Astoria, Oregon where he was a pathologist, and had two children, Carolyn and Charles. Donald died in 1943. Marian returned to OSC the next year to earn a Master's degree in nutrition.
In 1946, Marian moved with her children and her mother to Orange County, California, where she worked for seventeen years as a Home Advisor for the University of California Agricultural Extension Service. Following that, she lived in Riverside for 3 years, traveling as Regional Coordinator for home advisors in the southern third of the state. In 1968-9 and 1972-3, she worked in San Diego and San Bernardino implementing low income nutrition programs.
In 1969, Marian married Lawrence Archibald, who was a retired high school teacher and a grower of prize winning dahlias. They lived in Carlsbad, California until Larry's death in 1971.
In 1973, Marian married Robert H. Watt, a retired mink rancher, and moved to his family home in Bay City, Oregon. For the next fifteen years they enjoyed traveling in their motor home, hunting, fishing and providing good food and good cheer to family and friends. While in Bay City, Marian was active in the Methodist Church, Bay City Boosters, Shakespeare Club and other community activities.
Bob died in 1988 and in 1990 Marian moved to Ashland. Always looking for a way to learn or to help others, Marian participated in many activities of the Congregational Church and AAUW, volunteered at the Shakespeare Festival and the Community Health Center, participated in Drama Dialogues and the Age Wisely, Age Well program, took bridge and cross-country ski lessons, attended SOLIR classes, became a Master Preserver and traveled widely with Elderhostel, Friendship Force and friends.
Marian had a vivid memory and was "The Keeper of the Stories." She kept track of an enormous web of family, friends and acquaintances from the many chapters of her life. She was a genealogist and family historian and was busy updating a book about the five Watt brothers of Bay City when she died.
Marian Watt is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Prentiss, son-in-law, Craig Shaw, and granddaughter, Sara Prentiss-Shaw, of Ashland; son, Charles Prentiss, daughter-in-law, Nikki Silva, grandchildren, Carlos Prentiss, Kate Prentiss, Molly Prentiss, Grace Prentiss, and Sam Scott; in-laws, Dianne Ritner Prentiss and Ellen Creighton Scott; stepchildren Lorraine Ackley, Richard Archibald, Edward Archibald, Joan Ross, Phyllis Wustenberg, Barbara Dixon, and Robert M. Watt; sister-in-law, Gene Gary; and nieces, Phyllis Gary, Gail Lembke, Beth Tomasovich, Janice Kirkland, and Roberta Taylor.
A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church in Ashland on Sunday, February 1 at 3 p.m. Wear something purple!
A celebration of Marian's life will be held June 27 at ArtSpace in Bay City, Oregon. Her ashes will be interred in the Bay City cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Northwest Medical Teams, P.O. Box 10, Portland, OR, 97207.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Ashland, OR.
Grace A. Hassell
Grace Arlene Whetten Hassell died Sunday, February 1, 2004, at a Modesto, California hospital.
Mrs. Hassell was born April 8, 1923, in Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico to Warren Ernest Whetten and Adelaide Martineau Whetten. Her family moved to Bluewater, New Mexico when she was ten years old. She graduated from Grants Union High School in 1942, and went on to nurse's training in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1944, she married D. Ray Hassell, also from Bluewater, who was serving his country as a pilot in the United States Air Force. At the end of WWII, they moved to Ashland, Oregon, where they lived for 46 years before moving to Sonora, California 12 years ago. They were married for 58 years before Mr. Hassell died in 2002.
Mrs. Hassell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served many years in the youth and women's organizations of the Church. She and her husband lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1982 to 1985 while serving a mission for the Church. She treasured that experience, and the many friendships she made there. Mrs. Hassell loved music. She was happy to share her talent on the piano and organ, serving as church organist for many years, both in Ashland and in Sonora.
She was an avid quilter; her family has many examples of her craft to keep them warm. She loved to cook, and enjoyed trying out new recipes. Home baked bread was a staple in her home. She also liked to garden. She was very good at getting things to grow. She loved being a mother; it was the accomplishment that meant the most to her.
She is survived by a loving family consisting of a son, Alan Hassell of Ashland, three daughters, Joyce King of Walnut Creek, California, Arlene Craig of Sonora, and Paula Henderson of Raleigh, North Carolina, 24 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Mr. Hassell, and two daughters, Carolyn Ann Hassell and LaRee Hassell.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 111 Clay St. in Ashland. Private interment will be at Memory Gardens in Medford prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund, c/o Bishop Mark Skillman, 5597 Highway 66, Ashland, OR 97520.
James Stephen Ehlers
Mr. James Stephen Ehlers, 38, of Ashland, died January 31, 2004 in San Francisco, CA.
The Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 7 at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, 1181 Ashland St., Ashland. Lenny Parrish will officiate.
A scholarship fund has been set up for his children; contact family for more information.
He was born May 11, 1965 in Redwood City, CA to Steve Ehlers and Denise Abel (Ray Abel is step-dad). Mr. Ehlers lived in Ashland for several years. On April 26, 1997, he married Saira Robinson Ehlers, who survives him.
James was a contractor and owner of JSE Construction. He enjoyed scuba diving, treasure hunting and metal detecting.
Survivors include his wife, Saira Ehlers of Ashland; daughters, Anna Marie Ehlers and Julia Louise Ehlers; 7 nieces and nephews; a sister, Amy Ribeiro; brothers, Barry Ehlers and Steve Ehlers, Jr.; parents, Steve Ehlers, Ray Able and Denise Able; and grandparents, Gerald and Marie Shultz. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hans and Betty Ehlers.
John Elgian Noble
The graveside service for John Elgian Noble will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland. Interment will be at Mountain View I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Ashland.
Mr. Noble, 90, of Eagle Point, Oregon died Thursday, February 5, 2004 at home while working on his ranch. A reception will follow at Ed's Oasis in Eagle Point. He was born April 5, 1913 in Lakeview, Oregon to pioneers Julia and John Noble, whose family came west from Kansas in 1891.
Mr. Noble attended schools in Langell Valley, Oregon and later moved to Lakeview where he finished his schooling. The family moved to Ashland in 1927. On September 7, 1937 in Salt Lake City, he married Velma May Matthews, who preceded him in death in 2002. Mr. And Mrs. Noble have ranched in the Eagle Point area since that time.
Mr. Noble was employed as a cowboy on the Brophy Ranch during the 30's. He also worked for the Rogue River Creamery in Central Point, for Medply Inc. and later Boise Cascade. He enjoyed rodeo, breaking horses, working cattle, marking and branding cattle, and riding range.. He loved to spend time with family, neighborhood kids, and visiting with friends and neighbors. He was a lifetime member of the Eagle Point Grange and the Oregon State Grange for over 50 years. He was a member of the Summit Prairie Cattlemans Association and the Jackson County Cattlemens Association,
Survivors include: 2 daughters, Norma Ellen Kuyper and Laura May Assali, both of Eagle Point; 3 sisters, Julia Ann Byrd and Edna Hartwell, both of Medford, and Gertrude Richardson of Lakeview; 4 grandchildren, Russell and Cherayne Kuyper, both of Eagle Point, and Noramay and Desraye Assali, both of Eagle Point; 3 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Elle May Rohde-Kuyper of Eagle Point, and Rylee Mae Kuyper of Texas. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Lillian Mae Keeton
The Memorial Service for Lillian Mae Keeton will be 2 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2004 at the Ashland First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Pastor Robert Mathers of the Alliance Bible Chapel, Ashland and Pastor Dwayne Robinson of the Ashland First Baptist Church. A private family interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alliance Bible Chapel, 748 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, Oregon 97520.
Mrs. Keeton, 86, of Phoenix, died Sunday, February 8, 2004 at the Ashland Community Hospital. She was born September 25, 1917 at Salinas, California the daughter of Martha and Edgar Clark. She was raised and attended schools in Salinas.
On June 11, 1949 at Virginia City, Nevada she married Phillip Keeton who preceded her in death in 1983. Following their marriage they settled in Ashland. She moved to Phoenix, Oregon in 1988.
Lillian was active with school activities as her children grew up including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the PTA. She bowled on a local bowling league, and attended the Christian Women's Club. She was a member of the Alliance Bible Chapel in Ashland. She enjoyed gardening, family and pets. For a number of years she modeled for Fortmiller's Department store in Ashland as well as several other local clothing stores.
Surviving are: two sons, Kip Keeton and his wife Jeri of Ashland, Kerry Keeton and his wife Olga of Central Point, OR; two daughters Debbie Cameron of Phoenix and Cheryl Damon and her husband Dale of Medford; one brother Edward Clark of Phoenix; two sisters Gladys Gillespie of Phoenix and Marion Truluck and her husband Sam of Sun City, Arizona; and three grandchildren. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Arrangements: Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland.
Colleen Ireland Rutchland
"Coco" Rutchland (37) passed away at her Maui residence on Tuesday Morning Feb. 3, 2004.
She was born in Ashland on Oct. 22, 1966; the daughter of the late Richard and Gloria Ireland. She grew up in the Valley View area on her parent's ranch. She attended Ashland schools and graduated from Ashland High in 1984.
On May 28, 1988 she married Ryan Rutchland in Ashland, a painting contractor. The couple had two sons. Coco loved her friends and family greatly. She was involved in the activities of her two boys. She was a wonderful hostess who loved to entertain at her homes in Talent and Medford. Two years ago the family moved to Maui. She worked as a salesclerk.
Mrs. Rutchland is survived by her husband Ryan and sons Kyle and Corey; her three sisters, Carri Six, Connie Ireland, and Corinne Griffin; her brother, Rick Ireland; her grandmother Marie Ireland; her stepmothers, Emma Veary and Serene Ireland; her four stepsisters, Robyn, Kathy, Emily and Liz. She was a joy to us all.
