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

Joyce Viola Baxter, 86, of Summerville, died Sept. 22 at a local care center. A service will be held later in Yakima. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce was born on June 4, 1921, to Henry Harry and Hilda (Hall) Brown in Leicester, England. She was raised and educated in England. During World War II she enlisted in the British WAAF, serving in London with the balloon barrage troops. They deployed large zeppelin-shaped balloons during the Blitz, not allowing the German bombers to fly in low to inflict more damage.

During the war she met and married Donald McNeil Baxter of Yakima. After the war Donald returned to the United States with the other American troops. She soon followed with their son David, also by ship. The two then traveled by train from New York City until they reached Yakima.

Those who knew her say Joyce was extremely proud that she became a United States citizen and was grateful to the American troops that came to aid the British in the war effort. She enjoyed oil painting, writing poetry and reading poetry to nursing home residents. Her husband preceded her in death on Nov. 2, 1990. She moved to Summerville in 1998 to be near her family.

Survivors at the time of Joyce's death included her children, Eileen and Greg Larkin of Summerville; David J. and Phaedra Baxter of La Grande; Donald Edward Baxter of Zillah, Wash., and Sheila and Robert Wise; brother, Michael Brown of London, England; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Hilda Joyce; a brother, Phillip; and sister-in-law, Florence I. Baxter.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

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Duane D. Baxter, 55, of La Grande, died at his home Nov. 3. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the

La Grande LDS Stake center on Gekeler Lane. A viewing will run from 6 to 7 tonight at Loveland Funeral Home.

Duane was born Dec. 4, 1951, to Bryce and Arlene Baxter in La Grande. He was the oldest of seven children. He married Christine Larsen of Pendleton on May 4, 1976, in the Manti Temple in Manti, Utah.

He graduated from North Bend High School and earned his bachelor's and master's of education degrees at Eastern Oregon University. He was a homebuilder in North Bend before moving to La Grande in 1982. He most recently taught math at Union High School where he really enjoyed working with students. He enjoyed sports, the Mariners and the Ducks especially; the outdoors and woodworking, but found his greatest joy in his family. His eight grandchildren were a special joy to him, one of which dubbed him "Grandpa Motorcycle" for the rides he would give them.

Those who knew him say Duane loved to serve in his church and was always prepared to accept the many calls that came his way including serving as a missionary for two years in northern England, becoming a seminary and gospel doctrine teacher, a bishop and most recently a counselor in the La Grande Stake Presidency.

He is survived by his wife, Christine of La Grande; seven children, Andrea and her husband, Ty Draney, of Wyoming, Jenny and her husband, Matt Holman, of Missouri, Lindsy and her husband, Ben Kevan, of Wisconsin, Kiley, Scott, Steve and Michael; brothers, Reed, Kevin, Blaine and Chris; and sisters, Kathy and Trisha. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryce and Arlene, and his daughter, Lori.

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Minnie (See) Niederer, 85, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21.

Minnie was born and raised in La Grande where she met Harley Levon Niederer. They were married in Weiser, Idaho, in 1941. They moved to Eugene and spent 55 years together until Levon died in 1996.

She is survived by son, John Niederer of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Nikki Pettet of Olympia, Wash.; two grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by four siblings, Bill Hart, Grover See, Lottie Noyes and Ester Crader.

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Harmon Upton Wolfe, 96, of La Grande, died Nov. 5 at a local care center. A memorial service begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Summerville Baptist Church.

Harmon was born on Dec. 21, 1910, to Jeptha Thomas and Jane Rose (McCullough) Wolfe in La Grande. He was married to Alberta Kirby Wolfe for 70 years. She preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 2005. He was a member of the Summerville Baptist Church and was a 75-year member of the Elks Lodge.

Harmon is survived by two daughters, Kay Warren of Superior, Mont., and Susan Mercer of Kirkland, Wash.; one son, Dr. Jeffry Wolfe, of Boring; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Summerville Baptist Church.

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Norman Koopman, 82, of Halfway died peacefully with family by his side Nov. 6 in

La Grande. A celebration of Norm's life will be held this spring with a gathering of family, friends and a picnic. Details will be announced later.

Norm was born Oct. 1, 1925, to Charles and Esther Koopman of Halfway. He spent most of his career teaching vocational agriculture at La Grande and Pine Eagle high schools before retiring in 1993. Once retired, he and his wife, Jewel, enjoyed winters on the southern Oregon coast and summers in Halfway.

Norm was an avid gardener and never missed an opportunity to play a round of golf. He was active with the Baker County Weed Board. Norm taught the 55 Alive Driving program until 2006. Those who knew him say he was a teacher of teachers and will be missed by many.

Norm is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jewel; sons, Rod and wife, Deb, of La Grande and Ron and wife, Sherri, of Portland; and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Norman Koopman FFA Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to an FFA Pine Eagle High School student in care of Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway 97834.