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Lena Omori
Lena Kageyama Omori was born on May 12, 1922, in Hood River, Ore., to Ichino and Yasuta Kageyama. She lived in a simple two-story farmhouse in Dee built by her father from timber harvested on their small farm and cut into lumber at the Dee Mill. Lena had two sisters, Mikie and Molly, and a brother, Bob.
Lena, affectionately called 'Charlee, ' was a tomboy who loved playing in the woods and streams of the upper valley, and although a hard worker, had an aversion, like many other youngsters, to the backbreaking work of picking strawberries. She attended school in Dee and graduated from Hood River High School in 1940.
Charlee went on to college and studied business at Oregon State, but was forced into internment camps with her family in 1942, along with thousands of west coast Japanese immigrants and American citizens of Japanese ancestry like herself.
She spent several years at Tule Lake and working in the sugar beets in Ontario on a 'work release' program. In a 1970 interview detailing her internment experience, Charlee downplayed the hardships faced by herself and family and shared some of the more positive memories, less farm work, more baseball games and numerous eligible young men with whom to socialize. Finding the silver lining was her life's philosophy.
Charlee married
her lifelong sweetheart, Toru 'Porky' Omori, Dec. 15, 1946, in Hood River. They purchased a small orchard on Willow Flat above Odell where they raised fruit, with Charlee also putting her business skills to work at the Apple Growers Association.
In 1956 their daughter Elaine was born and Charlee devoted most of her time to being a full-time Mom. Her ideal life was shattered when Porky unexpectedly died in 1982, leaving her to tend the orchard. Charlee soon sold the farm to her nephews and moved to a home designed especially for her by her son-in-law Marc Betts.
It took someone really special to capture Charlee's heart after she lost her husband, but Jo Jo the Six-Toed Wonder Cat slipped in to become her constant companion for the next decade or so.
Charlee savored all life had to offer. She loved to dig razor clams on the Oregon coast, then feast on the bounty. She was a great cook, renowned for her delicately crisp Shrimp Tempura, making the Omori table at the Japanese American Citizens' League picnic the hottest ticket in town. One would never suspect she enjoyed food so intensely, given her petite stature, but eating, like all things she relished doing, was done with extraordinary enthusiasm.
Charlee was the favorite auntie of all 17 nieces and nephews. Her home was stocked with the very latest snack food and the most up-to-date technology. She kept a bowl of chocolates at hand to spoil all who came to visit. She was the first to have a big screen TV, cheering on her favorite teams, when her own energetic activities were sidelined due to arthritis. She was an avid fan of Beaver football, Blazer basketball and Mariner baseball. She knew the players' stats better than a bookie, and followed her favorites when they moved to other teams. From Jerome Kersey and Terry Porter to her latest hero, Ichiro, her home was adorned with signed baseballs and basketballs, jerseys and photographs.
Charlee enjoyed gambling, visiting Oregon and Nevada casinos to 'exercise her arm' by pulling the one-armed bandits, and adding scratch-off tickets to birthday cards to tantalize recipients with the thrill of instant wealth.
She played pinochle with a group of 'widow' ladies for several years until the crippling progression of arthritis made even this activity too painful. Her determination to enjoy the game of life, regardless of the hand dealt, was legendary. The greatest gift Charlee possessed was the ability to make others feel valued. She always knew your latest projects, the grades you had gotten, or whether you had hit a home run or struck out in the softball game. Regardless of the outcome, Charlee had the uncanny ability to make you feel good about yourself. She lived her life with gusto, an example for all who knew and loved her.
From her grandchildren, Lesley and Steven, of whom she was so very proud, to family, neighbors and friends, she was always appreciative of every caring word or deed.
As in life, Charlee planned for her passing. A private family service and internment were held at her request. Those wishing to honor her life may do so by donating to 'Charlee's Angels, ' her hospice caretakers, at Hospice of the Gorge, or the Arthritis Foundation c/o Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Rd., Hood River, OR 97031. Lena Kageyama Omori is survived by her sister, Molly Maeda of Seattle, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law Elaine and Marc Betts; grandchildren Lesley and Steven Betts; sisters-in-law Tazu Higashi of Lake Oswego and Marjorie Kageyama; and brother and sister-in-law Chi and Aiko Omori of Moses Lake, Wash.
David Rainville
Grandson, son, nephew, cousin, friend: David Eugene Rainville, age 16, died on Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, in Seattle, Wash. He was born in Grand Forks, N.D., on Dec. 25, 1987, to Connie Beth Lawrence and David Rainville. His family called him 'Scooter;' friends knew him as 'Merkin.'
David moved to White Salmon, Wash., as a youngster. He attended Columbia High School where he was a member of the snowboarding club and played drums in the CHS Concert Band. David had many interests such as skateboarding, video games and Japanese Anime. He loved to drive people crazy with his antics and really enjoyed working on cars and hanging out with his friends.
Survivors include his grandparents, James and Lucille Lawrence of White Salmon; mother and stepfather, Connie and Wayne Williams of Lyle, Wash.; stepbrothers Jacob and Billy Williams of Appleton, Wash.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A funeral service for David will be on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Gardner Funeral Home, White Salmon. Interment follows at the White Salmon cemetery. A memorial fund in David Rainville's name has been set up at First Independent Bank in Bingen, Wash.
Doyle Johnson
A graveside service for Hood River resident Doyle Johnson will be Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Mt. View cemetery at 2 p.m. Arrangements are by Anderson's Tribute Center 541-386-1000.
Arletha Martz
Hood River resident Arletha Martz died at her home Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004. She was 85 years old.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. at Hood River Valley Christian Church.
Arletha Charlotte (Meyers) Martz was born in Dufur, Ore., on Dec. 1, 1918, to Rollan and Anna (Huston) Meyers. She moved to Hood River at an early age, attended Hood River schools and graduated from Hood River High School in 1938. Arletha met Maurice Conger and married
April 14, 1939, in Hood River. They had three children.
Military service and Maurice's job as an air traffic controller took them to several locations: Tatoosh Island, Wash.; Renton, Wash.; Hayward, Wash.; and Portland, Ore. Maurice died Sept. 2, 1960.
Arletha attended beauty school in Portland. She met Blaine Martz and they were married
Nov. 2, 1963, in Vancouver, Wash., and made their home in Hood River.
She was a member of the Hood River Valley Christian Church and sang in their choir. Arletha was involved in Soroptomists, Hood River Emblem Club, Sweet Adelines, Hood River Garden Club and Hood River Valley Christian Church Quilters. Arletha enjoyed painting, singing, quilting, sewing, needlework and was remembered by her family for her pies and cooking.
Arletha is survived by her sons, Maurice Varda Conger of St. Helens, Ore., and Jon Charles Conger of Beaverton, Ore.; daughter Karen Arletha Shepherd of Molalla, Ore.; grandsons Joshua Shepherd of Denver, Colo., David Conger of Beaverton, Ore.; and Jason Conger of Gresham, Ore.; granddaughter Lindsey Conger of Colorado Springs, Colo.; great grandson Tyler Conger of Portland, Ore.; nieces Susan Weekly-Nichols of Albany, Ore.; Mimi Williford of Hood River, Joanie Logan of Hood River, and Linda Meyers of Portland; nephew Garry Meyers of Portland, and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Blaine, on Dec. 6, 1995, her father, Rollan Meyers, mother, Anna (Huston) Meyers in 1986, sister, Iris Lingren in 1988 and brother, Hershal Meyers in 2001.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge, Hood River Valley Christian Church, American Cancer Society or Parkinson's Foundation, c/o Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
David Rainville
Grandson, son, nephew, cousin, friend: David Eugene Rainville, age 16, died on Monday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Seattle, Wash.
He was born in Grand Forks, N.D., on Dec. 25, 1987, to Connie Beth Lawrence and David Rainville. His family called him 'Scooter;' friends knew him as 'Merkin.'
David moved to White Salmon, Wash., as a youngster. He attended Columbia High School where he was a member of the snowboarding club and played drums in the CHS Concert Band. David had many interests such as skateboarding, video games and Japanese Anime. He loved to drive people crazy with his antics and really enjoyed working on cars and hanging out with his friends.
Survivors include his grandparents, James and Lucille Lawrence of White Salmon; mother and stepfather, Connie and Wayne Williams of Lyle, Wash.; stepbrothers Jacob and Billy Williams of Appleton, Wash.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A funeral service for David was on Nov. 27, in the chapel at Gardner Funeral Home, White Salmon. Interment followed at the White Salmon cemetery. A memorial fund in David Rainville's name has been set up at First Independent Bank in Bingen, Wash.
Mary Deach
Mary Gladys Deach died in her sleep Nov. 30, 2004, at her home in Hood River. She was 85 years old. Anderson's Tribute Center will be handling arrangements. A full obituary will appear in the next issue of the News.
Dalles Carr
Hood River resident Dalles Carr died Nov. 29, 2004, at Portland Adventist Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Anderson's Tribute Center 386-1000.
Ellen Horn
Ellen M. Horn, a lifelong resident of Hood River, Ore., and The Dalles, Ore., died Dec. 23, 2004, at the age of 82.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. A reception will follow at Anderson's Tribute Center.
Ellen was born Jan. 23, 1922, in The Dalles. Her parents, Joseph and Ruby (Haynes) Fleck, owned an orchard in The Dalles where she was raised. Her grandparents were some of the early settlers in the area during the late 1800s.
She attended school in The Dalles and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1939. She then attended Behnke Walker Business College in Portland.
On Oct. 30, 1948, Ellen married
Harley Horn of Hood River. She moved to the community of Oak Grove where Harley had been raised. There she devoted her life to her husband and children. She worked occasionally in the local fruit industry and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Odell Garden Club.
Ellen was one of the early members of the square dance group, the Wy'east Whirlers and she also was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed spending time working in the garden and walking on the beach.
She also enjoyed watching birds, especially hummingbirds, and the spring explosion of wildflowers.
Ellen is survived by her husband of over 56 years, Harley Horn; her daughter, Susan Chamberlain and her husband Nicholas, of Hood River; sons Joe Horn and his wife, Janet, of Ashland, Ore., and Rob Horn of Sutherlin, Ore.
Two grandchildren, Katie and Anna Horn of Ashland, and two step-grandchildren, Alix and Ryan Chamberlain of Salem, Ore., and sister Doris Fleck of Dallesport, Wash., also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ruby Fleck, brother Kenneth Fleck and sisters Lois Fleck, Jean Dickson and Joan Patrick.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Gorge, c/o Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
Ester E. Taylor
Ester Euretta Taylor, a longtime Portland, Ore., resident, died Dec. 23, 2004, in Hood River, Ore. She was 94 years old.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 4 p.m. at Anderson's Tribute Center. A dinner reception will follow.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 28, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Anderson's Tribute Center.
Ester was born May 25, 1910, in Gordon, Neb., to Bert and Maude (Starr) Stauffer. She attended school there, moving with her family to Payette, Idaho, in 1924 and graduated from high school in 1929. In 1934, she and George Taylor were married
. They lived in Payette, Idaho, and Ontario, Ore., before moving to Portland, Ore., in 1941.
Ester has been an active member of the Nazarene Church since 1928, particularly with missionary work and teaching. She was also active with PTA, Scouts and Blue Birds. Her favorite pastime over the years was having her relatives together for family dinners and picnics in their big front yard. Ester also enjoyed sewing, fishing, camping and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1982, brothers Ed Stauffer, Laurence Stauffer and sister Mildred Pantel.
Survivors include her sons Marvin Taylor and his wife Janet of Union, Wash.; Rodney Taylor and his wife Nancy of Portland, Ore.; daughter Sheryl Akin and her husband Frank of Hood River, Ore.; sister, Lucile Kennedy of Yuma, Ariz.; and seven grandchildren, Karen Taylor of Sherwood, Ore.; Jeff Taylor of Wilsonville, Ore.; Cliff Taylor of Vancouver, B.C.; George Taylor of Portland, Ore.; Ellen Taylor of Anderson, Calif.; Lois Taylor of Portland, Ore., and Adrienne Akin of Hood River, Ore. Fourteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Vault interment will be at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Portland, Ore. Memorial contributions may be made to Hood River Nazarene Church C/O Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
Frances Smith
A funeral service for Frances Smith will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Hood River Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at Idlewild cemetery. Arrangements are by Anderson's Tribute Center, 541-386-1000.
Orin Dexter
Orin George Dexter, age 86, died Dec. 27, 2004, in Hood River, Ore.
Arrangements are pending at Anderson's Tribute Center, (541) 386-1000.
Finnis Morris
Finnis E. 'Pat' Morris, former Clatsop County resident, passed away following a lengthy illness on Dec. 18, 2004, at his home in Bend, Ore. Pat and his wife, Leona, have resided in Central Oregon since his retirement from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
Born Feb. 22, 1921, in Jenks, Okla., to Sylvester W. Morris and Osce Ola Redick, he moved with his family to the Willamette Valley in 1935. Pat worked at the Bradwood and West Port lumber mills prior to completing his education at welding school in Astoria in 1941. As one of the youngest certified welders in the state of Oregon at that time, he went to work at the shipyards in the Portland area.
Pat and Leona Jane Rudesill, daughter of Dr. Lena and Floyd Rudesill, of Seaside, Ore., were married
on Aug. 22, 1942. Their wedding at Seaside Community Methodist Church was the first ceremony to be held in the parlor of the newly remodeled church building. Following his service in the Army during WWII, the couple lived briefly in Gearhart, where Pat served as a member of the volunteer fire department. They moved to the Svenson/Knappa community when Pat began his career with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers at Tongue Point in Astoria. He also worked as a maintenance mechanic for Crown Zellerback Co. in the mid-1950s. He completed his career with the Corp working as a heavy equipment operator at The Dalles, Bonneville and John Day dams on the Columbia River.
Pat and Leona, and their family of five children, were residents of Seaside from 1954-1961. He served as assistant scoutmaster for BSA Troop 277 in Seaside during the years his three sons were involved in scouting activities, especially weeklong summer camps at C Bar L Ranch and Spirit Lake. From 1960-1970, while working on the Bonneville and John Day dams, Pat and his family owned a small pear orchard and family farm in Hood River and Odell, Ore. He and Leona moved to Bend in 1979.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Leona; sons John E. Morris of Craig, Alaska, Robert L. Morris of Olympia, Wash., and Howard I. Morris (Bonnie) of Bend; daughters Margaret L. Harto (Larry) of Covington, Wash., and Alice I. Hinkley of Umatilla, Ore.; 17 grandchildren, more than 30 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He also is survived by brothers Jerry Cook, Gene Cook, Hugh Cook, and sister Clara Flatt.
Memorial services will be held Jan. 14 at noon at Willamette National cemetery, Portland, Ore. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the services at Mt. Scott Funeral Home, SE 59th and Foster Road, Portland. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the American Lung Association or Central Oregon Home Health and Hospice, 2698 NE Courtney Dr., Ste. 101, Bend, OR 97701, or the charity of one's choice.
Vernon Rogers, Sr.
Vernon Joseph Rogers, Sr. passed away on Dec. 8, 2004, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles. He was 81 years old.
Vern's parents, Jarret Rogers and Adda Belle (Anderson) Rogers were married
in Heppner, Ore., on Dec. 3, 1904. Their oldest child, Frank Edward, was born in 1906 in Condon, Ore., before the family moved to the Hood River, Ore., area in 1913. Vern's two sisters were born in Hood River; Rita Margaret in 1915 and Zella Mae in 1917. Vernon Joseph was the youngest, and was also born in Hood River, on Sept. 27, 1923.
Vernon grew up in the Hood River, Odell and Dee area, and attended school in Hood River. He went into the Army Air Corps in November 1942, two months after his brother Frank joined. As a Top Turret Gunner in a heavy bombardment crew, Technical Sergeant Rogers participated in 33 operational missions over enemy-occupied Europe while with his unit, the 8th Air Force, 95th Bombardment group, 336th Sq. He was awarded the Air Medal, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, and was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. According to his mother's journal, there was a particularly difficult few days for the family and community when they were erroneously notified that Vern was 'missing in action.' He was honorably discharged in September 1945.
Returning to the Hood River area, Vernon met Betty Lou Bostwick, and they were married
in February 1947, at the Riverside Community Church.
They initially lived in the Hood River and Dee area, later moving to Portland, and several years later moving to the Eagle Creek, Ore., area. They had four children: Vernon Joseph, Jr., Craig Jarret, David Lyle, and Joan Marie. Vern and Betty were married
over 20 years, but were divorced in 1967.
Hardworking and industrious, throughout the years Vern held a variety of occupations - if need be, working two or three jobs simultaneously to make ends meet. Occupations included working at the lumber mill in Dee, teaming daily with wife Betty to deliver The Oregonian to Dee and Odell residents, at the aluminum plant in Troutdale, as a warehouseman at United Grocers, and for years operated his own farm in the Eagle Creek-Dover area.
After retiring from United Grocers, for a time he owned and operated a commercial fishing boat out of Brookings, Ore. He moved to Nehalem, Ore., spending many happy years semiretired there.
Vern grew up fishing and hunting. He was also an accomplished musician with a very good singing voice. Having been taught to play several instruments as a youngster, his favorite became the guitar. For a very short time, he played as part of a band in the Columbia Gorge area, but later played for many years at family sing-a-longs. He developed a lifelong habit of daily Bible scripture reading. He became quite skilled at cooking, and loved to cook for others. Later in his life, his hobbies were simple - fishing and hunting, cooking and family.
In 1998, after beginning to experience health problems, he moved to Spray, Ore., to be near his daughter, Joan. In September 2004, after increasing health concerns, Vern moved into the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles. Early in the morning on Dec, 8, 2004, he suffered a stroke, and that evening he passed away.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank and sisters Rita and Zella, and by two very special canine companions: 'Lucky' and 'Rocky.'
He is survived by: sons Vernon Rogers, Jr., Craig Rogers, David Rogers, daughter Joan Field, and former wife Betty; numerous other family members, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many, many good friends.
A memorial service will be on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m., at the Anderson Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Road, Hood River.
Vernon will be laid to rest near his family at Idlewild cemetery, Hood River.
Memorial remembrances may be sent to: The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, c/o Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.
