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

Frances Annie Muntjewerff, 91, of La Grande died July 6. Viewing will from 4 to 7 p.m. today and from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St. A celebration of life will begin there at 10 a.m.

Mrs. Muntjewerff was born Dec. 7, 1914, to Edward and Arva Zenia Newton on the Oregon Slope. She married Gerrit Muntjewerff on Oct. 14, 1934, in Payette, Idaho.

The family lived in Adrian during World War II and moved to Joseph where they owned a lumber yard with the Newtons. In 1969 they moved to La Grande where she was a member of the United Methodist Church for several years.

She enjoyed dancing, shopping, picking huckleberries, fishing and being with her family and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to cut up, but she was always a lady.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Bob Valiant; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives. Her husband; a son,Gary; a sister, Stella; and two brothers, Ted and Bert, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to any hospice in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

________________________

Richard Dean Vernam, 78, of Enterprise died July 6 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland after open-heart surgery. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Friday July 14 at Mountain View Christian Church in Joseph. Burial will be at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Vernam was born April 7, 1928, to Glenn and Irene Vernam in Colville, Wash. The family moved to Alvadore and he graduated from Junction City High School.

On June 15, 1947, he married June Athey. They lived near Alvadore where he was a welder and steel fabricator, and owned Top Machine. He took jobs in steel fabrication during the summer that took the family around the country, such as the construction of the wigwam burner at the old Bates Sawmill in Wallowa. After moving to Enterprise he established VEMCO with his son, David.

He was a Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, the Wallawa County Shrine Club, the National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his horse in the mountains, crabbing on the coast and salmon fishing on the Coquille River.

Survivors include his wife of Enterprise; children and their spouses, Sharon and Zane Strickland, David and Debi Vernam and Randy and Kathy Vernam; an adopted son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Karen Bennett; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oregon Donor Program, P.O. Box 532, Portland 97207-0532 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97201-3095.

_______________________

Hazel Harrison, 93, of Yuma, Ariz., and formerly of La Grande and Island City, died July 6. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Friday July 14 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Yuma.

Mrs. Harrison was born June 19, 1913, to Henry and Flora Herrmann in Hester, Mo. She was raised in Island City, and graduated from La Grande High School. She married Howard Bousquet, and after his death, Albert Harrison. He also died earlier. She worked at the Umatilla Ordnance Depot in the early 1940s, and at the Yuma Proving Grounds from 1963 until her retirement in 1972.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, working crossword puzzles and sending cards to remember special dates for family and friends.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Connie Bousquet of Mexico, Mo., and a daughter-in-law, Mary Bousquet of Hermiston; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and other relatives.

A daughter, Glenna Schnase; a son, Bill Bousquet; an infant great-grandson; three sisters, Gertrude Lentz, Erleen Burchfield and Dee Holland; and three brothers, Cecil Herrmann, Earl Herrmann and Harold Herrmann, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes and Special Olympics.

______________________

Nellie Byer Teeter, 99, of Imbler died Sunday at a local care center. Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday July 12 at the Summerville Cemetery.

Mrs. Teeter was born Sept. 11, 1906, to August and Margarita Behrens in La Grande. Both parents were from Germany and moved to a farm in Summerville when she was six months old.

On Feb. 28, 1925, she married A.W. "Bill" Byer who died in 1961. In Sept. 1969 she married Thurman Teeter. He died in 1972. She worked for H.L. Wagner and sons for 25 years in the seed business, and was a clerk at the Imbler Market for 12 years besides other work. She enjoyed needlework, crochet, needlepoint, quilting, embroidery and reading. She was a 50-year member of the Blue Mountain Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in Elgin. She had lived in Imbler since 1932.

Survivors include children, Audrey Westenskow and Robert Byer; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and other relatives. Three brothers, Ed, Art and Fred Behrens, and two sisters, Eda Wise and Ruby Patterson, all died earlier.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society or any charity in care of Daniels Chapel.

_________________________

Darrel Ray Billerbeck, 68, of Elma, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died June 26 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. July 21 at Whiteside Family Mortuary in Elma. A potluck meal will follow at Vance Creek Park. Participants are encouraged to bring a story or favorite memory to share.

Mr. Billerbeck was born June 22, 1938, to Harry and Bernice Billerbeck in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School and attended Oregon State University until he returned home to run the family farm. He graduated from Oregon Technical Institute with a degree in applied science, and served in the Army from 1961 to 1963.

In 1964 he married Glenda Bayliss. They moved to the Grays Harbor, Wash., area in 1968 where they raised a family and he worked as a millwright until his retirement in 1997.

He was an avid angler, shrimper, crabber and clam digger. He enjoyed family gatherings, being with his grandchildren, and especially bird hunting with his dog Pepe.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his delicious recipes and bountiful gardens, the fruits of which he generously shared with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of Elma; children and their spouses, David and Patty Billerbeck, Mike Billerbeck, and Mary and Tom Billerbeck; four grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Grays Harbor Unit, 1551 Broadway, Suite 200, Tacoma, Wash. 98402.

An online guest book is available at www.whitesidefamilymortuaries.com.

__________________________

Jacklyn L. Grape Thompson, 67, of Pendleton and formerly of Cove died July 4 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. A memorial and potluck supper will begin at 3 p.m. July 22 at the Cove Sportsmen's Club. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Thompson was born Sept. 17, 1938, to Jack and Jessie Robertson Stareo in Starkey. The family moved to Cove in 1940, and she graduated from Cove High School in 1948. She graduated from Eastern Oregon Normal School with a degree in education and worked for the Bureau of Indian affairs. She taught on reservations in Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, and at Chemawa Indian School in Salem. After retiring from teaching she worked with veterans in vocational rehabilitation.

She enjoyed her horses, knitting, traveling and taking college classes.

Survivors include her husband, Dewight Thompson of Pendleton, and other relatives.

In lieu of cards and flowers, memorials may be made to any charity.

______________________

Nova Jean Hallgarth, 81, of Elgin died July 11 at a care center in La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, July 14 at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

Mrs. Hallgarth was born July 15, 1924, to John and Ethel Croghan Widell in Elgin. She attended school in Elgin, and on May 16, 1942, she married Myron James Hallgarth in La Grande. She was a life member of the Jewel Rebekah Lodge and a member of the Elgin Promanaders square dance club, the VFW Auxiliary, the Elgin TV Association, where she served as treasurer, and the Rockwall Grange where she served as secretary. She enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with her family, puzzles and crochet.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Donna Jean and Jim Trump, James and Risa Hallgarth, and Wayne Hallgarth all of Elgin; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Dale "Bud" and Marcy Widell; a sister-in-law, Helen Smith, all of Elgin; and other relatives. Her husband and two grandchildren died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Elgin Fire Department in care of Loveland Chapel.

________________________

Cecil Earl Bruins, 75, of La Grande died July 11 at a local care center. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18 at the Island City Cemetery.

Mr. Bruins was born July 30, 1930, to John and Wilma Backer Bruins in Crandon, S.D. The family moved to Oregon in 1946. He worked for the Umatilla Army Depot, the Union Pacific Railroad in Portland, Alpenrose Dairy and at a Metalbestos plant before moving to Nampa, Idaho, where he worked for Fleetwood Trailers until his retirement. In 2006 he moved to La Grande to be closer to family.

He enjoyed dancing and animals, especially his dog Sparky.

Survivors include his mother, Wilma Bruins Klaus of Las Vegas, Nev.; a son, Carl Lee Bruins; three brothers, John Bruins of Big O, S.C., Oscar Bruins of Heber Springs, Ark., and Jim Bruins of Hermiston; five sisters, Myrna Woodell, Sally Roe and Marilyn Winter, all of La Grande, Lila May of Las Vegas and Sharon Belcher of Portland; and other relatives. His father; two wives, Diane and Betty; a son, Dale Edward Bruins, and a sister, Carol Odermot, all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

________________________

Joanne Kaye Price, 73, died July 13 in her home in Hermiston. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hermiston Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be at noon Monday at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

Mrs. Price was born Jan. 16, 1933 in Fresno, Calif. to Samuel and Virginia Tarleton Timbrell. She graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1950, and on Sept. 9, 1950, she married John Robert Price in Hood River. The couple lived in Vancouver, Kennewick and Tacoma, Wash., and St. Helens, Astoria and Aloha. She graduated from business school in Beaverton and worked as the secretary at Reedville Elementary School in Aloha for three years.

In 1970 they moved to La Grande, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church. She worked as a secretary at Greenwood Elementary School until retiring in 1991. The couple moved to Hermiston in 1993.

She attended the Hermiston Church of the Nazarene and was on the board of the Umatilla Museum.

She loved her family and her dog, Foxie, and enjoyed decorating, flowers, traveling, her missionary trip to Russia, reading the Bible, praying, riding her motorcycle and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of Hermiston; daughters Debra Lynn Jannsen of Beaverton and Leslie Joy Frutchey of Gresham; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Gideons, Camp Elkanah or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in care of Burns Mortuary, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston 97838.

___________________________

Jean Louise Stevens, 54, formerly of La Grande, died July 11. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Haven Cove Ward LDS Chapel in Meridian, Idaho. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday before the service. Burial will follow at the Cloverdale Cemetery.

Mrs. Stevens was born Sept. 9, 1951, to LaRue and Beverly Budge Bevington in Fairbanks, Alaska. She graduated from Capital High School in Boise in 1969, and later earned an associate degree in business administration from Boise State.

On June 3, 1975, she married Larry Stevens.The family moved to McCall in 1985. The couple divorced in 1990.

In August 1996 she moved to La Grande, where she lived until moving back to Idaho in May of last year. She always did her best to help anyone she could. She had a deep appreciation for nature, and enjoyed crafts.

Survivors include a son, Larry Stevens of Boise; a daughter, Jennifer Hammond of Nampa, Idaho; four granddaughters; her father and stepmother, H. LaRue and Bernice Bevington of Meridian; two sisters, Judith Coggburn of Snohomish, Wash. and Janet Bevington of Boise; a younger brother, Gerald Bevington of McCall; and other relatives. Her mother, Beverly Budge Franklin; her stepfather, Bob Franklin; and a brother, Jim Bevington, all died earlier.

_____________________

Robert E. Josi, 74, of Wallowa died June 13 at St. Mary's Hospital. A memorial service was held June 23.

Mr. Josi was born Oct. 26, 1931, to Fred and Olga Elmer Josi in Oregon City. The family lived in Snowden and White Salmon, Wash. He worked on ranches at at the Mount Emily logging camp. He served in the Army during the Korean War, and in 1954 he married Agnes Tsiatsos of Starkey. The couple moved to Wallowa. He worked as a logger, and during layoffs he would find ranch jobs. After a divorce in 1983 he married Bonnie Lowe in 1989 .

He was a member of the Enterprise Nazarene Church, and enjoyed riding horses, working with cattle, hunting with his kids and visiting family and friends.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Larry and Karen Josi, Ernie and Karen Josi and Janet Delatori, all of Wallowa; stepchildren, Ron, Vickie and Dan Lowe and Judy Tate; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman Josi of Prairie City; sisters and their spouses, Erlene Butler and Marjorie Josi of Gresham, and Mildred and Bill Hiller of Port Angeles, Wash., and other relatives.

His wife; sisters, Verna and Dorothy Josi; and a son-in-law. Gerard Delatori. all died earlier.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cancer Center in Walla Walla or any charity.

______________________

Kirk V. McShane, 52, formerly of LaGrande, died June 29 in Portland. A memorial service was conducted July 5.

Mr. McShane was born Jan. 30, 1954, to Francis and Margaret McShane in Ontario, and graduated from La Grande High School in 1974. He moved to Portland, where he worked for several music warehouses and stores. He graduated from Portland State University and became a distribution manager for Graybar Electric.

He married Denise P. Belanger in 1984.

Survivors include his wife; his mother of La Grande; brothers, Brian, Michael, Jeffrey and Gregory; sisters, Rebecca and Maureen; and other relatives. His father died earlier.

Memorials may be made to the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute for Cancer Research, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland 97213.