Edmund Lee Durr
Ruth Hindman
Owen W. Wendt
Edmund Lee Durr
(Feb. 20, 1923 - Jan. 17, 2009)
Edmund Lee Durr, 85, of Sweet Home, Oregon died Jan. 17, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City, Ore., while visiting his brother in Halfway, Oregon.
A military graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2009, at Twin Oaks Cemetery, Albany, Ore.
Edmund was born Feb. 20, 1923 in Masontown, Pennsylvania, to Edmund Henry Durr and Ruth Elizabeth (Lee) Durr. He was raised in Pennsylvania and as a teen joined the Marine Corps and served in WWII. C Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, Second Marine division. He fought battles on the Islands of Tinian, Saipan and Tarawa. Lee was very proud of his military career and spoke of it often.
Upon the completion of his service time, Edmund returned to Pennsylvania to work in the coal mines, but only for a short few years. Some relatives had moved West to Oregon and while visiting them he enjoyed the area so much, he moved here. Edmund worked many years as a Millwright for Boise Cascade until his early retirement in the mid 1980’s.
Lee had many happy years with 1st wife Gene and 2nd wife Phyllis.
Retirement meant many happy years for Edmund and his 2nd wife, Phyllis, traveling around in their 5th wheel. They lived in the RV and moved all over Oregon and the Southwest. He had particularly fond memories of the 17 years they were camp hosts for a Lake Fork Campground just outside of the Hells Canyon National Recreation area in northeastern Oregon. Besides RVing, Edmund enjoyed hunting Mule deer, fishing, and cutting wood.
Edmund is survived by daughter Lynda Harding of Albany, Ore.; step-sons: Chris Brewster of Molalla, Ore., Walter Brewster of Willamina, Ore., and Ronald Jarchow of Independence, Ore. Grandchildren: Tammy, Shawnta, Keri, Joseph, Lyndsey, Hayley, Christopher, Joe and Jenny. His surviving siblings: David Durr of Halfway, Ore., Naomi Babcock of Sweet Home, Ore., Clayton Durr of Bend, Ore. and Ruth Cook of Missouri.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Disabled Veterans in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Ruth Hindman
(Oct. 22, 1910 - Jan. 23, 2009)
Ruth G. Hindman, 98, longtime Baker City resident, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her funeral service will be held at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. Pastor Susan Barnes will officiate. Friends are invited to meet immediately after the Service at the Baker United Methodist Church for lunch prepared by her Eastern Star Chapter members.
Ruth was born on Oct. 22, 1910, at the old hospital at 2nd and Church Street in Baker City, the second daughter of Elmer and Addie Smith. She graduated from Baker High School in 1928. She worked part-time at the County Clerk’s Office, and also mowed lawns to earn additional income.
She married Orval Hindman on Feb. 1, 1929, and their only child was their beloved son Robert E. Hindman. The family operated a small ranch at Salisbury Junction 10 miles south of Baker City. They managed through the Great Depression by selling cream for $1.25 per gallon, cows for $25 per head, wood for $5 a cord, and loose hay for $10 a ton. Ruth did not like chickens, but that did not keep her from helping her son Bob raise, butcher, and sell fryers because every bit of income helped.
Ruth served as school clerk for District 36 at Lockhart for 12 years. She worked for Rea and Ragsdale Insurance for 6 years. Basche Sage Hardware for 6 years; and, 26 years as a part-time clerk and receptionist for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. She retired at age 92!
Ruth especially enjoyed her 57 year membership in Esther Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She appreciated good ritualistic work and enjoyed the fellowship of traveling to visit different Chapters. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She liked to tend to her yard and her flowers, which always brightened the way to her door. She wore out several dictionaries searching for just-the-right-word to complete Crossword Puzzles!
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Louise Smith, and her son.
Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in care of Gray’s West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
Owen W. Wendt
(July 9, 1956 - Jan. 23, 2009)
Owen Wade Wendt, 52, formerly of Haines, Ore., died Jan. 23, 2009, at his home in Vale, Ore. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Haines Cemetery in Haines, Ore. Pastor Robin Harris will officiate. A reception will follow at the Haines United Methodist Church.
Owen was born July 9, 1956, in Baker, Ore. to Ronald Ivan and Betty Jane (LaMandin) Wendt. He spent all of his life as a rancher, running beef cows. He spent most of his working years in the Baker and Haines area. He loved his job best while riding horses and working cows. He will be missed by his family and friends.
Owen is survived by his wife Anita, daughters, Vanessa and Victoria and his son Lewis all of Vale, Ore. Also by a sister and brother-in-law, Johannah and Charles and their daughter Deanna of Lebanon, Ore.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Betty Wendt, who had made a home life ranching in Haines, Ore.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Haines United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society through Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Ore. 97814.
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