Ethel Boyer Graven
James William Virtue
Ethel Boyer Graven
(March 12, 1906-Feb. 22, 2010)
Ethel Graven, 103, passed away Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 in Payette, Idaho. There will be no service due to family health issues.
Ethel was born to Richard and Hulda (Frazie) Boyer on March 12, 1906. She was one of eight children raised in the town of Hereford, Ore. She married Elmer Graven April 12, 1926 to whom she was married to 76 years. Together they raised three daughters: Lavelle Givens, Evelyn Wells, and Delma Robinson.
Ethel and Elmer were both very hard working people who loved all of their family equally. They settled in Baker City, Ore. Mom was a homemaker and Dad worked for the Oregon State highway district. They were from the generation when a handshake was your honor and truth and honesty were just that—truth and honesty. They were members of the Christian church and enjoyed their bible studies. They loved to dance and did so until their late 80’s. They were very fond of the Buddy Band and the good times they had with their friends and family.
Ethel had many interests, she was a good seamstress on her old Treadle Singer sewing machine. She loved making long dresses to wear to the Senior Center dances. Since she was very frugal and didn’t want to waste anything, some of her dresses had a unique collar, belt, vest, or lace just to use up all of the scraps! All she had to do was add a bow to her hair and she was ready to go! She loved flowers and her garden. Her favorite flowers were roses, which was reflected on her dishes and in her decorating. She was also fond of African violets and had them in every color.
Ethel’s children will always remember coming home to the smell of fresh bread, ginger cookies, or something else equally as good. Ethel was always known for her buns as she often made them for guests and family gatherings. She also loved rhubarb and gooseberry pie.
Ethel loved people and loved telling stories that would make her husband, Elmer squirm! When she got him to grunt, she knew her mission was accomplished! She could not pass a baby without stopping to interact. Everyone enjoyed Ethel’s young spirit and humor. She could definitely hold her own in any situation. You didn’t ask Ethel for her opinion unless you were ready for her frank answer, sometimes more than you were prepared to hear. Her humor followed her to the nursing home. One day she asked a grumpy old man in a wheelchair if she could hitch a ride to her room. When she received an emphatic “no,” she turned and said, “He actually took me seriously?”
One of Ethel’s favorite things was talking about her younger years. She would sit up many nights reliving her past. Each time she would tell her stories, it was like the first time to her. She will missed terribly, but has left us memories we will treasure always.
Ethel is survived by her sister Pearl Coombs, daughters Evelyn Wells and husband Bob, and Delma Robinson and husband Tim. She was a proud grandmother to many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was a loving aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and a loyal friend to many.
Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, husband, six siblings and one daughter, LaVelle Givens.
“Don’t think of her as gone away as her journey has just begun. Life holds so many facets, the earth is but one.
“Just think of her as resting from sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days or years.
“Think how she must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but sadness can really pass away.”
I Love Mom, Evelyn
Ethel spent her final years in the care of the loving staff of Royal Villa in Payette, Idaho.
James William Virtue
(Aug. 1, 1947-March 11, 2010)
James William Virtue 62, a resident of Baker City, Ore., died Thursday March 11, 2010, at his home.
Memorial services for Mr. Virtue will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Mr. Virtue was born Aug. 1, 1947, in Mona Co., Iowa, a son of John Alferd and Bernice Josephine (Bollig) Virtue. He was the fourth of 12 children and received his education in Iowa, he suffered his entire life from Polio.
He was very artistic and loved to garden and raise flowers, but his biggest love was restoring vintage John Deere lawn mowers and garden tractors. He was a man of many hobbies including his collection of vintage depression glass and chicken ceramics that he collected over the years. He was also very artistic with his charcoal drawings. He also raised rabbits, sheep and chickens.
He married Lois Tracey Jan. 6, 2003, in Steinhatchee, Florida, they lived in various locations and moved to Baker City from Galt, Calif., June 1, 2009, to be close to family. Mr. Virtue was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness since 1975.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Virtue; Baker City, Ore.; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Ralph Hillman, Baker City, Ore.; sons and daughter-in-laws, Jamey and Stacey Virtue; Jermey and Becky Virtue, Sparta, and Rebecka and Syson Hall, Gainsville, Fla., 23 grandchildren, 2 great-granhddaughters, three step-sons, brothers and sisters, Jerry Virtue, Shirley Barbera, Jack Virtue, Sandra Shumway, Randy Virtue and Kent Virtue all of Sacramento, Calif., Steve Virtue, Patty Virtue, Tom Virtue and Lori Austin all of Baker City, Ore., also many nieces and nephews, living in Florida and California and Baker City, Ore.
Mr. Virtue was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions in his memory may direct them to the Watchtower Bible & Track Society, this maybe done through Grays West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Baker City, Ore. 97814.
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