>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Grace Violet Rowett, 85, of North Powder died Dec. 30 at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. A funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gray's West and Co. Pioneer Chapel. with burial following at the North Powder Cemetery. Viewing will be from noon until 7 p.m. today at the funeral chapel. A reception will follow the service and burial Wednesday at the North Powder Grange.

Mrs. Rowett was born May 3, 1921, to Frank and Olive (Davis) Pearson in North Powder. She attended school in North Powder.

On Dec. 21, 1938, she married Harold Rowett. The couple were married for nearly 60 years, before Harold died.

Mrs. Rowett was a volunteer firefighter, worked in the school cafeteria, drove a grain truck and took pride in being a full-fledged homemaker.

She is survived by three daughter and their spouses, Judy and Keith Fordice of Hermiston, Pat and Jerry Christiansen of Montford, Wis., and Kelie and Bill Mahon of Island City; a son, Raymond Rowett of Baker City; two sisters, Barbara Baker of Baker City and Phyllis Fettig of North Powder; three grandsons, two granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.

Dying earlier were her husband, Harold Rowett; a grandson, four brothers and six

sisters.

____________________

Keith Lee Boula, 50, died Jan. 2 at St. Mary Hospital in Walla Walla of colon cancer.

Friends are invited to join Mr. Boula's family in celebrating his life at an open house at the home of his sister Kathryn, 60522 Bushnell Road., Sunday, from

1 p.m. to 4 p.m..

Keith was born in Los Angeles June 19, 1956. He spent his early childhood in southern California and his teen years in northern Minnesota. He returned to California and graduated from Sylmar High School in 1974.

There he followed in his father's footsteps as a race car driver and mechanic.

Mr. Boula moved to Zigzag

in 1977. His love of racing and adventure led him to skiing, which became a life-long passion. He worked as an EMT on the Timberline ski patrol for several years.

In 1994, Keith moved to

La Grande. He worked for WC Construction until his death.

Survivors include his son, Ryan Young, and Ryan's mother, Carol, of Ontonogan, Mich.; sisters, Kathryn Boula and her family of La Grande, and Mary Noble and her family of Palmdale, Calif.; and many friends in northeastern Oregon and Mount. Hood.

____________________

Kenneth R. Westenskow, 72, of Roseville, Calif., died Dec. 31.

Visitation will be conducted Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Price Funeral Chapel in Citrus Heights. Calif. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, Roseville 1st Ward, in Roseville. Burial will follow at the Roseville Cemetery.

A native of Imbler, Mr. Westenskow was born March 29, 1934, to Melvin (a former postmaster in La Grande) and Rowena Westenskow and grew up in La Grande.

He attended Ackerman grade school and received an athletic scholarship to attend Hill Military Academy in Portland. But he decided instead to attend La Grande High School. He then attended and graduated from Eastern Oregon College in June 1957 with a teaching degree.

He played first-string football and basketball for Eastern Oregon College and his basketball jersey, No. 31, was retired upon his graduation

He was an educator in the Roseville School District for 37 years, and later became a Quixtar Diamond business

legend.

Survivors include his wife, Joan, and children Kenda Davis, Brian Westenskow and Jill Conrad; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A son, Terry Westenskow, died earlier.

____________________

Ada Adelle Metsopulos, 98, of La Grande, died Jan. 3 at her home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Mrs. Metsopulos was born July 3, 1908, to Walter and Flora (Hunter) Curtiss in Promise. When she was very young the family moved to Wallowa, where she attended school.

On April 25, 1925, she married Angel Metsopulos in Wallowa.

They moved to

La Grande in 1928. They owned and operated Angels Grocery Store on Fir Street for many years.

She was well known for her sewing ability, which she loved to do. She was a member of the Rusty Wheels Car Club and the Union County Historical Society. She loved to cook and enjoyed gardening and crocheting. She had a special love of her cats.

Survivors include her children, Ula Pendleton of Los Angeles and Anne and Luis Rodriguez of La Grande; brother, Jerry Curtiss of Longview, Wash.; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to the GRH Hospice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.