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News Obituaries Obituaries for the day of October 19, 2011
Obituaries for the day of October 19, 2011
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Thiessen, Watson
LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS Oct. 21 — Mike Hansell, service, 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, La Grande Oct. 22 — Jim Rhyne, memorial service, 11 a.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gekeler
La Grande 1915-2011
Keithel was born Dec. 28, 1915, in Jefferson to Paul G. and Viola Keithel (Englet) Smith. She grew up in Jefferson, attending schools there and graduating from Jefferson High School in 1934. Keithel was first married to Guy C. Hart in 1934. They later divorced. She then married Henry A. Thiessen in 1943. He died in 1981. Keithel and Henry owned and operated Sunset Springs Ranch in Jefferson where they raised registered Hereford cattle. Keithel was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for several years. She also served as secretary in the child support division of Marion County for 15 years where she retired. Keithel was past president of the Jefferson Women’s Club and a charter member of the Oregon Cattlewomen’s Association. She was a charter member of the Anna Maria Pitman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Kaiser. She loved doing family genealogy and helping others get started on their family history. Keithel enjoyed gardening. She loved raising her flowers. Keithel is survived by her daughters, Ruth H. Leitch of La Grande and Jill E. Thiessen of Salem; a sister, Paula M. Brawn; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Keithel; and her husband, Henry.
Formerly of La Grande 1963-2011
Dan was born Oct. 13, 1963, in Baker City, the son of Robert and Ruth Harkness Watson of La Grande. Dan was raised in Oregon and graduated in 1982 from La Grande High School. He came to Lafayette in July of 1991. He married Teresa Mellott on May 22, 1992, in the Rush Pavilion at Columbian Park in Lafayette. Dan has worked for the past 16 years for the city of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department and most recently as the head custodian at the McAllister Center. He has also worked part-time at Star Lanes. He was a member of the Moose Lodge. He was a former board member of the Lafayette Bowling Association, and had bowled in the Satellite Mixed Leagues on Sunday nights and the American Northside Men’s League on Wednesday nights. Through the years, he also bowled in other bowling leagues. While bowling, Dan was known for throwing his hat. Dan enjoyed NASCAR and was a fan of Tony Stewart. He and his wife attended numerous NASCAR races with the Brickyard Buddies. Surviving are his wife; his parents; one brother, Douglas Watson Sr. of La Grande; mother-in-law, Agnes Clemons of Lafayette; one niece; two nephews; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins throughout the United States. Memorial contributions may be made to the McAllister Summer Camp Scholarship Fund in care of the Lafayette Parks Foundation.
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