Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

2/10 OBITUARIES

*Dorothy Pearl Fletcher*Leverett 'Lev' Edward Lowrie*Danny Kyle Mrotek*Alma Lydia Renchler-Hurst*Minnie Marie Owens*James Roy Starr*Thelma Lazoot Booth Jessup

Dorothy Pearl Fletcher

June 9, 1913 - Jan. 29, 2010

Dorothy Pearl Fletcher

Dorothy Pearl Fletcher, 96, of Dallas died Jan. 29.

She was born in Beaverton to William H. Yost and Mabel Cone Yost.

Dorothy attended Portland grade schools and graduated from Newberg High School.

She was employed as a legal and court clerk for the Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene for many years. She worked for many attorneys, judges and district attorneys.

In 1952, she married Walter Carl Fletcher. They were together for 36 years.

Dorothy was interested in the arts, architecture, French and traveled throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. She took her first cruise to Alaska in 1946. She was an accomplished and talented weaver of textiles and baskets, an avid golfer and reader. She also played the organ and piano.

Dorothy was active in the United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, a brother and a sister.

She is survived by her daughter, Lois Kaltenbach of Dallas.

At Dorothy's request her ashes will be scattered at sea.

Contributions are suggested to the Dallas United Methodist Church in care of Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence, which handled arrangements.

Leverett 'Lev' Edward Lowrie

February 21, 1949 - Jan. 31, 2010

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Leverett "Lev" Edward Lowrie, 60, of Dallas died Jan. 31 in Dallas.

He was born in Vancouver, Wash., to Edward and Jean Arnold Lowrie.

Lev grew up in Corvallis and graduated from Corvallis High School. He then joined the Navy, serving on the carrier CV-43, USS Coral Sea, completing two tours in the Gulf of Tonkin during Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge he joined his father in the house painting business. Lev retired from the Maintenance Department at Chemeketa Community College in 2002.

Lev raced anything with wheels. He was a well noted "gear head," self-educated man and an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed shooting and riding motorcycles rain or shine the best.

He was a member of the International Practical Shooting Confederation, Masonic Lodge of Shed, Pacific Northwest Rider's Association, and Dallas-Area Riders for Christ.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Gohaidan of Dallas; son, Mathew Lowrie of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Antoinett Glasscock of Corvallis; mother, Jean Mahan of Keizer; sisters, Dee Krutop of San Diego and LaVonne Klage of Montana; stepson, Yriel T.S. Gohaidan of Salem; and eight grandchildren.

Celebration of Lev's life was Feb. 6 at Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center.

Contributions are suggested to the Shriner Hospital Patient Transportation Fund or the American Diabetes Association.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Danny Kyle Mrotek

Aug. 3, 1986 - Jan. 17, 2010

Danny Kyle Mrotek

Danny Kyle Mrotek, 23, of Salem died Jan. 17.

He was born in Pomona, Calif., and attended Riverside School for the Deaf until 1993, when he moved to Salem to be with his family. He attended Oregon School for the Deaf and graduated in 2007.

Danny was very proud to have held the same job at Primetime Pizza on Lancaster Drive in Salem for five years.

He enjoyed attending deaf socials, riding the city bus, making new friends, and teaching hearing people sign language. He was fascinated with technology of the future along with wonders of the universe and how it all fits together.

Danny was a Christian and attended Salem Alliance and Monmouth Christian deaf groups. He was known for wearing many hats and outstanding outfits to engage others' sense of humor.

Survivors include his daughter, Ava Marie of Salem; mother, Doreen Adam-Bell of Monmouth; father, David Mrotek; sisters, Nicole Adam of Yucca Valley, Calif., Kim Adam of Holcom, Texas, Melissa Adam of Canby, Tianna Branske and Issabell Branske, both of Monmouth, and two other sisters in California.

Celebration of life was Jan. 23. His ashes were scattered in the ocean.

Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence, handled arrangements.

Alma Lydia Renchler-Hurst

Aug. 19, 1914 - Feb. 3, 2010

Alma Lydia Renchler-Hurst

Alma Lydia Renchler-Hurst, 95, of Gresham died Feb. 3 in Gresham.

She was born in Hamlin, Texas, to Cora Augusta Maynard and LeRoy August Renchler. She had a twin sister, Audrey, who died at 18 months of age.

At the age of 4, Alma contracted Spinal Meningitis and she lost her hearing. She grew up in Emporia, Kan., where her father was an engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad.

Alma attended deaf school in Olathe, Kan., and rode the train home on holidays and summers. Alma met William F. Hurst and they married in August 1937 in Emporia.

In 1950 the family moved to Oregon and bought a 20-acre farm in Falls City, where they lived until 1974. They then moved to Astoria. In 1990 William Hurst died and Alma moved to Hillsboro. Alma moved to Powell Vista Manor in Gresham in 1993.

She taught American Sign Language and enjoyed her friends at her congregation of Jehovah Witness. She took many trips with them to Canada and California conventions and also went to Disneyland with her friends.

In 1999 her son Steve moved to Tillamook County and she soon followed. She missed her deaf friends in Gresham and moved back to Gresham in 2004.

She had a good sense of humor, a big heart and a smile for everyone. Alma loved her puzzle books and baseball games.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Gwendolyn Jane Hurst; son, Francis Lee Hurst in September 2006; and her sister, Clara Belle of Forth Worth, Texas.

Survivors include her sons, Hobert Neal Hurst of Hawaii and Stephen Jay Hurst of Rockaway Beach; brothers, Fred Renchler of Topeka, Kan., and Robert Renchler of Breckenridge, Texas; and about 35 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Service and celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Caldwell Luce-Layton, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103. Following the service a visit is planned to the gravesite with flowers and sharing of memories.

Minnie Marie Owens

Oct. 18, 1939 - Feb. 6, 2010

Minnie Marie Owens, 70, of Dallas died Feb. 6 in Dallas.

Private family service will be held in Montana.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled arrangements. To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

James Roy Starr

July 6, 1946 - Feb. 4, 2010

James Roy Starr

James Roy Starr, 63, of Dallas died Feb. 4 in Dallas.

He was born to Henry Lee and Wilma Marie Starr in Portland.

Jimmy graduated from Franklin High School in Portland in 1964.

He married his childhood friend, Mary Jane Patterson, at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Oct. 30, 1967.

A Vietnam veteran, Jim served as a Green Beret in the 101st Airborne Division from 1968 to 1972.

He received his master's degree in teaching in 1977 from Portland State University, where he also excelled on the baseball diamond. Before his retirement in 2002, he had dedicated 32 years of life teaching physical education and health as well as coaching baseball in the Beaverton School District. Jim was still working as a substitute PE teacher in the Dallas, Willamina and Central school districts.

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He was loved for his sense of humor and his never-ending gift of gab. Any students of his will remember his nicknames for them as well as songs to go along with their names. Beside teaching, his love of music and golf were unparalleled.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Mary; daughter, Bree; son, Shane; mother, Wilma Elhard of Vancouver, Wash.; and two grandchildren.

Graveside service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Memorial service is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Valley Community Presbyterian Church, 8060 SW Brentwood St., Portland. A reception will follow with Jimmy's favorite meal being served.

Contributions are suggested to the Beaverton High School Athletic Department in care of Bollman Funeral Home in Dallas, which handled arrangements.

To send an online condolence: www.dallastribute.com.

Thelma Lazoot Booth Jessup

Sept. 15, 1914 - Jan. 5, 2010

Thelma Lazoot Booth Jessup, 95, of Independence died Jan 5.

A celebration of her life will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 27, with a potluck to follow at the Buell Grange Hall, 5970 Mill Creek Road, Sheridan.

Contributions are suggested to your local food bank.

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