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

Janet Marion Farnam, 80, of La Grande, died Nov. 30 at a local care center. There will be a private memorial and celebration of her life. Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Janet was born in Salem on Aug. 24, 1927, to Thomas and Marion (Wheeler) Rilea. She grew up in Salem and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in business. She and Don Farnam, her childhood sweetheart, married soon after and moved to

La Grande in 1950. They had two sons, Peter and Tom, and a daughter, Liz.

Janet was a devoted wife and mother. Serving as a den mother for Cub Scouts, she baked and cooked wonderful things while supporting her husband's career at Farnam's Supply, a well-known local business. She was a gracious hostess to family and friends — putting up with hot rods being dismantled in the garage, basketballs in the flower beds, a parakeet on her sewing table and a family of sports junkies. She kept her nails lovely, even as she gutted fish.

She was active with Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, and arranged flowers for the altar for many years, substituting as the organist when needed.

She described some of her happiest days as those spent at Wildflower Lodge, where the staff enjoyed her sense of humor and dry wit. Janet was surrounded by people who loved her when she died. She left this world as gracefully as she had lived and with the least fanfare possible, just like she wanted it.

She is survived by all of her children, Peter and his wife, Julie Farnam, of Summerville, Mary Elizabeth and her husband, Rod Orton, of Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, and Thomas Farnam of Joseph; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one niece.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the Reading Outreach Program at the Cook Memorial Library

Dec. 10, 2007

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Barbara Lee Jacobs, 74, of La Grande and formerly of Pocatello, Idaho, died Dec. 7 at a foster home in La Grande.

A funeral service and burial will be held in Pocatello, Idaho, on Thursday. Local arrangements are with Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Barbara was born on March 16, 1933, to Elton Eugene and Madeline (Atkinson) Lindsey in Pocatello. She married Patrick Jacobs on Jan. 12, 1952, in Pocatello.

Barbara was the wife of a U.S. Marine, and they lived at Camp Pendleton then moved to Parris Island, S.C., for 16 years. He preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1971.

Four years ago she moved to La Grande from Kingsman, Ariz., to be near family. She loved salmon fishing and enjoyed square dancing and the holidays. She was a collector of many types of knick knacks.

Survivors include her children, Dan Jacobs of Pocatello, Mike Jacobs of La Grande, Sam Jacobs of Pocatello, Vikki Rock of La Grande, Rick Jacobs of Meridian, Idaho, and Lindsey Brooks of Los Angeles; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Lindsey of Hermiston; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Lindsey.

Dec. 11, 2007

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Verna Elder, 87, of La Grande, died of natural causes on Dec. 11 at her home where she had lived for 63 years. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery with the Rev. John Schrann of the Zion Lutheran Church officiating.

Verna was born on Sept. 24, 1920, to Hubert and Edna (Martin) Walters in Mendon, Adams County, Ill. Verna married Verl "Mick" Madison Elder on May 18, 1942, in Lewiston, Idaho.

Verna was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for 60 years, donating her time for many years at the church and also at the senior center, serving meals to others. Verna was well known for her quilt making. She made them not only for her church to donate to social services but also for her children and grandchildren. Verna was dedicated in her faith and was a loving wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, caregiver and friend.

Survivors include her brother, Gene Walters of La Grande; daughters, Patsy Hess of Humboldt, Kan., Sharon Gerry of Cove and Becky Yackley of Cypress, Calif.; sons, Jim Hall of Cove and Mike Elder of Portland; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Verna was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Mary Landers; granddaughter, Sarah Yackley; two brothers and four sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the United Way of Union County, P.O. Box 862, La Grande. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Dec. 13, 2007

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Clarence John Trump, 89, of Yoncalla and formerly of Wallowa died on Nov. 12. A funeral service was held in November at Yoncalla Church of Christ. A burial was held at the Yoncalla Masonic Cemetery in Yoncalla. Smith-Lund Mills is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Clarence was the fourth child born to John Russell "Oakie" and Cordelia (Vest) Trump in Wallowa on Jan. 22, 1918. He is a descendent of early pioneer families of Wallowa County: His grandparents were John Jordan and Rhonda Minerva Walls Trump and William Harvey and Ellen Mollissia Cole Vest.

He grew up and attended school in Wallowa and served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1946 in New Guinea. He married Mary Margaret Jones on March 28, 1953, in Vancouver, Wash. He and Mary then moved from Wallowa to Yoncalla, in 1953.

He worked as a shepherd millworker. He was a former member of the American Legion. He enjoyed farming, hunting and cutting wood. He loved spending time with family and caring for his animals.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret Trump; daughters, Annette McMullin of Yoncalla and Gail Jones of Yoncalla; sons, Russell Trump of Yoncalla, Creed Trump of Roseburg and James Trump of Yoncalla; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Gerald Trump of Wallowa; and sister, Velma Hescock of Enterprise. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Elmer Trump and his wife, Lillie, and William Arnold Trump and his wife, Barbara; and sister, Elsie Louise Stark and her husband, Elmer.

Dec. 14, 2007

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Craig Kenneth Follett, 59, of Elgin, died Dec. 13 at Grande Ronde Hospital. The family will hold a private service at a later date. To sign the online guest book visit www.danielsknopp.com.

Craig was born on Aug. 26, 1948, to Warren and Annie (Sanderson) Follett in La Grande. He worked as a glass installer in the Seattle area for many years. He moved back to Union County six years ago. When he was younger he enjoyed skydiving. He had a great love for the outdoors and being in the mountains. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and making huge campfires to sit around.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Dani Follett of Waterville, Wash.; daughter, Julie Gerber of Baker City; parents, Warren and Annie Follett of Elgin; sisters, Ronna Witherspoon and Jaylene Witherspoon, both of the Cricket Flat area; six grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by a sister, Wendy Follett who died at the age of 6.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Primary Children's Hospital in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

Dec. 15, 2007

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Mary Louise (Norton) Horton, 70, of Wallowa, died Dec. 6 with her children present after a battle with cancer. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at Wallowa Cemetery. A potluck dinner will follow at the Wallowa Senior Center.

Mary was born the fifth of seven children on March 12, 1937, to William "Bill" and Eva (Scrivner) Norton in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.

Those who knew her say she loved her children and their families above all else. She enjoyed having her grandchildren stay with her every summer so they could go to vacation Bible school together. Her favorite beverage was a cup of tea with a little cream and sugar, and she often joked that she never had a cup to herself without one of the kids, grandkids or great-grandkids wanting a sip.

Her children say she was always willing and happy to stay with family to help during an illness or when a new baby was born. In her spare time, she liked to read or work puzzles. Those who knew her say she had a smile that could light up a room and a wonderful sense of humor, second only to that of her brother's, Clarence.

Mary enjoyed working at Wallowa Pharmacy and continued there until poor health forced her to retire.

Mary is survived by her children, Carol and her husband, Tom Long, of La Grande, Curtis and his wife, Linda Goller of Wallowa, Stacy and her husband, John Gulley of Emmett, Idaho, Robert and his wife, Tonnie Horton of Elgin, Brenda Horton and Kori Horton, both of Boise; siblings, Agnes Roberts of Enterprise, Juanita Hanson of Elgin, Clarence Norton of Lostine and Frances Norton of Wallowa; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Richard "Dick" Norton, Marge Fincher and Dorothy Kuba.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa County Hospice or to any other charity in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.

Dec. 15, 2007