Patricia Karen Cox, 66, of Cove, died Oct. 11 in Boise. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Cove Cemetery. Viewing will run from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street.

Patricia was born on Nov. 18, 1940, to Delbert C. and Adria (Nicholson) Webster in Iowa City, Iowa. The family moved to Cove where she graduated from high school. On Dec. 26, 1958, she married Craig Cox in Weiser, Idaho. She was a stay-at-home mom and a homemaker who loved to take care of her family. She loved to knit and read. She enjoyed keeping flowers in her yard, yard sales and cross stitching.

Survivors include her husband, Craig Cox of Cove; children, Kineth and wife, Vickie Cox, of La Grande and Chris Cox of Cove; three grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a sister, Jane Maston of Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society.

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Evelyn Hagey, 96, died Sept. 22 at her home in La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.

Evelyn was born Sept. 17, 1911, to Royal David and Bernice Comstock Jones in Cove. In 1933, she married James Howard. He died in 1936. She married Floyd Hagey in March 1941. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Evelyn was an active member in Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors and Daughters of the Nile. With her husband, she was also involved in the Shriners Food Caravan and the Shrine Football Game.

She enjoyed embroidering, reading, playing cards, bingo, crossword puzzles and travel. Those who knew her say she will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, her kindness and the love and support she showed her family and friends.

Survivors include her son, Larry Howard of Woodburn; daughter and son-in-law, Bernice and Gary Webster of La Grande; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Beulah Tall; nephews and nieces; and dear friends, Frieda Herron and Bonnie Willson. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Eunice Busch, Mildred George and Alice Strand; and daughter-in-law, Charlotte Howard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97201.

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Nellie Aletha Jacoby, 84, of Union, died Oct. 13 after an extended illness. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City.

Nellie was born Nov. 14, 1922, to William and Beatrice King. Those who knew her say family was what Nellie was all about. She loved writing poetry and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her six children, Georgia Shank of Union, Ed Jacoby Jr. of Imbler, Corkey Jacoby of Salem, Terry Everidge of La Grande and Susie Young of Union; two brothers, Wilbur King and Dave King, both of Baker City; two sisters, Edna Harrison of North Bend and Audry Straub of Sparks, Nev.; 13 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation.

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Dorothy Fay Hutchison Lester, 94, of La Grande, died Oct. 14 at a local care center. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the LDS Fourth Ward building at McAlister and Cove Ave. Dedication of the grave will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Fay was born March 27, 1913, to David Hutchison and Irlene Simmerman Hutchison in Indian Valley, Idaho. She moved to the La Grande area in 1917. She married Dallas "Dack" Lester on Oct. 10, 1929, in Baker City.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Relief Society Organization and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She was a Sunday school teacher, ERA Magazine representative and a visiting teacher supervisor. She was a clerk in her parents’ grocery stores, Dave’s Market and Victory Way Grocery. She loved genealogy and her family.

Survivors include her son, David and his wife, Shirley Lester; daughters, Barbara Marshall, Marian and her husband, Dale Nice, of La Grande, and Shirley and her husband, Wayne Hill, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Sherry and her husband, Johnnie Moore of South Jordan, Utah; two sisters, LaCrecia and her husband, Dick Devore, of Summerville, and Lydia Smurthwaite of Layton, Utah; two brothers, Duane and his wife, Michi Hutchison, of Aiea, Hawaii, and Ron and his wife, Violet Mack, of Modesto, Calif.

She had 21 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leroy and John L. (Tuck) Hutchison; sister, Laura Virginia Markham; and two grandchildren.

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Mildred Lucille Smart, 92, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 1 at a care center in Salem. A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in La Grande. Private burial was held at the Grandview Cemetery in La Grande.

Mildred was born on June 11, 1915, to Ferris and Grace (Wakeland) Miller in Evansville, Ind. On Feb. 26, 1935, she married Alva Asa Smart in Evansville. The couple moved to Missouri, Arizona and Southern and Northern California before finally settling in La Grande in 1997. Alva preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 2004.

Mildred was a very active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and especially enjoyed teaching children’s classes. She loved to crochet and enjoyed word games like crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Ellen Smart of Dallas; daughter, Ethel May Thompson of Lawndale, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sons, Donald and Floyd Smart; one brother; and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley of Peace Television in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850

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The VFW will present a ceremony in honor of Randall Dean Conrad at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Union Cemetery.

All people who would like to attend are welcome. Mr. Conrad died on Oct. 2.

Mr. Conrad served in the Army beginning in 1969, serving in Vietnam until his honorable discharge in March 1971.

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Joanne F. Strickler, 79, of La Grande, died Oct. 14 of natural causes. A memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 25 at the First Presbyterian Church in La Grande. A luncheon will follow at the Presbyterian Friendship Center.

Joanne was born to Guy and Esther Furst in Topeka, Kan., on Nov. 24, 1928. In the late ’30s her family moved to Denver, where she spent her high school years. She attended Colorado State University and received her degree in early childhood development in 1951.

On Dec. 16, 1951, Joanne married Gerald Strickler, her one true love. They honeymooned in the remote Salmon Wilderness of Idaho as fire lookouts during the summer of 1952. In 1956

Gerry and Joanne settled in La Grande, where they raised their four children.

Joanne was a gifted seamstress and taught sewing and tailoring classes locally. She was also the records secretary at La Grande High School for 20 years.

Joanne loved La Grande and its people. She was involved in many organizations including the First Presbyterian Church, PEO Chapter I and the Alleluia Bells. She strongly supported educational endowments and was steadfast in her support of the arts.

Her husband, Gerry, preceded Joanne in death. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Nancy Moore and her husband, Ralph, of La Grande, Jeff Strickler and his wife, Mary, of Portland, Becky Strickler of Portland and Suzie Houk and her partner, Mike Moll, of Oregon City; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; twin sister, Jeanne Allison; and brothers, Jack and Larry Furst.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oregon State Chapter PEO Sisterhood Charitable Trust to support women in education in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

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Larry Flanagan, 71, of La Grande died Oct. 11 in Boise. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St.

Larry was born in Wilbur, Wash., on July 24, 1936. He grew up on a farm at the foot of Mount Emily in the Grande Ronde Valley and lived in the area most of his life. He worked at Boise Cascade for 46 years, retiring in 2002. He loved fishing, hunting and traveling. His last hunting trip was about two weeks ago. His last big trip was a cruise to Alaska.

Larry was always there to help family and friends. He was willing to run the movie camera for family functions. On fishing trips he cleaned and filleted the fish and usually got to cook them too. Larry loved playing cards and also loved playing with his little dogs.

He is survived by his much loved wife of 50 years, Norma; his son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Dawna of La Grande; daughter, Amie of Sacramento; daughter-in-law, Julie of Hilgard; sisters, June Woods and Kate Moore of La Grande; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Larry in death were his parents, Bess and Aaron; sons, Scott and Todd; two infants, one boy and one girl; and his brother, Keith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Heart Association or the National Rifle Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley

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Nellie Aletha Jacoby, 84, of Union, died Oct. 13 after an extended illness. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. today at the Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Nellie was born Nov. 14, 1922, to William and Beatrice King. Those who knew her say family was what Nellie was all about. She loved writing poetry and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her six children, Georgia Shank of Union, Ed Jacoby Jr. of Imbler, Corkey Jacoby of Salem, Susie Larkin of Union, Terry Everidge of La Grande and Susie Young of Union; two brothers, Wilbur King and Dave King, both of Baker City; two sisters, Edna Harrison of North Bend and Audry Straub of Sparks, Nev.; 13 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation.

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Dr. Florian Michael "Jeff" Kovach, 87, of La Grande, died Oct. 12 at a local care center. A celebration of life will be planned for sometime in the spring. The announcement will be published later.

He was born on July 3, 1920, to Michael and Elizabeth (Farkas) Kovach in Tacoma, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in veterinary medicine and served with the Air Force in Korea.

In 1946 he moved to the Grande Ronde Valley as the county’s first professional veterinarian and opened the Animal Health Center on Island City strip. On Aug. 30, 1948, he married Ruthe Dusenberry from Halsey in La Grande, initially living above the original clinic. He took care of large and small animals throughout the county, and was known by many. He later built a new clinic in Island City proper and loved his work there. He retired in 1987.

In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and spent many hours growing a large garden and lots of flowers. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his pals, Joe Fredricks, Dick Crawford and many others.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruthe Kovach. Survivors include his children and their spouses, Florian Michael Kovach Jr. of Florida, Peter Anthony and his wife, Rebecca Kovach, of Eugene, Rebecca Jo and her husband, Mark Sullivan, of La Grande and Nicholas Lee and his wife, Jan Kovach of Bellevue, Wash.; brother, Arnold Kovach of Fircrest, Wash.; three granddaughters; and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.

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Steven Douglas Gooderham, 62, of Vancouver, Wash., and formerly of La Grande died Oct. 12 at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. A military service was held at the Willamette National Cemetery Oct. 17.

Steven was born on May 30, 1945, to Wayne and Lois in La Grande. In 1952 his mother married Alfred Martens and the family moved to Portland. His siblings, Susan, Pam and Bill, were born. The family traveled around Oregon as Alfred helped build the I-84 and I-5 freeways.

Steven graduated from Madison High School and joined the Army. He served two of his four years in Germany. Two hours after receiving his discharge papers, his platoon was deployed to Vietnam.

Steven married Carol and had two children, Wayne Lee and Wendy Dee. He then married Linda and the couple had William and Wanita. Those who knew him say he was a loving father to his children as they were the love of his life.

He learned his love for hunting and fishing from his father, and brother, Mike. Four years ago, COPD caused him to give up his hobbies in the outdoors and the hunting and fishing he loved so much. He had spent much of his lifetime on his boat with many friends and family.

During the last 18 months of his life, he lived with his daughter, Wendy, and her partner, Joe, where he enjoyed the house full of grandkids and had much joy and happiness.

Survivors include his children, Wayne, Wendy, William and Wanita Gooderham, six grandchildren, siblings and their spouses, Mike and Patty Gooderham, Bill and Denise Martens and Pam and Dan Maggs; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Martens; father, Wayne Gooderham; stepfather, Alfred Martens; sister, Susan Hart; and nephew, Ryan Hart.