Moodenbaugh, Brophy, Henderson

Myrtle L. Moodenbaugh

Elgin

1944-2011

Myrtle Louise Moodenbaugh, 66, of Elgin, died Jan. 2 at her residence.

Her memorial service will begin at noon Wednesday at the New Christian Life Center, formerly the Assembly of God Church, on 14th and Alder Street in Elgin. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Myrtle was born May 30, 1944, to Fetch Galloway and Rose Lillian (Duran) Lawrence at Dallas. She attended schools in Dayville, Mitchell and Prineville before her marriage to Glenn D. Moodenbaugh. They were married for 40 years.

Myrtle owned her own beauty salon.

She is survived by her husband, Glenn; and three sons, Karl Elkins of Salem, Glenn Moodenbaugh of Long Creek and Travis Moodenbaugh of Elgin; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her son, Todd Elkins; and her daughter-in-law, Karen Elkins.

Ruth T. Brophy

La Grande

1914-2011

Ruth Theresa Brophy, 96, of La Grande, died peacefully Jan. 1 among family and friends. A memorial service and recitation of the rosary will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. A viewing will precede the service from 4 to 6 p.m.

Ruth was born Sept. 17, 1914, to John and Mary Ann (Spinnenweber) Karrenbauer in Pittsburgh, Pa. Ruth married Joseph E. Brophy on July 4, 1939. The couple made their home and raised their family in Pittsburgh.

In 1965, Ruth returned to school to earn her LPN.

Subsequent to achieving her goal, she worked for eight years in Pittsburgh area hospitals and care centers. In 1973, she moved to Tucson, Ariz., and spent the next two decades living in Arizona and California where she continued her career until retiring in her 70s.

In 1991, Ruth moved to Oregon to live with her daughter’s family in La Grande. In La Grande, she found fulfillment in helping raise her grandchildren; being a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church where she participated in the Women’s Alter Society as a member of St. Bernadette’s Circle; and working as a hospice volunteer. Her work with hospice was central to her life and she continued in this caregiving role into her 90s.

Ruth took great delight in travel and being with family.

During her years in the Southwest, she loved introducing her children, grandchildren and other family members to the beauty of the desert, the Grand Canyon and the cultures of the region. She also looked forward to returning to Pennsylvania each year to visit her grandchildren, and catch up with life-long friends.

She was grateful for the opportunities to celebrate both her 80th and 90th birthdays with family and friends in her hometown of Pittsburgh as well as in her adopted city of La Grande.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Sister Anna Maria Karrenbauer of Allison Park, Pa.; her children and their spouses, Joseph T. and Anita Brophy of Tucson, David J. Brophy of Pittsburgh, and Anna Maria and Dwight Dill of La Grande; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; and her youngest son, Timothy G. Brophy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice, P.O. Box 3290,

La Grande 97850 or Shelter From the Storm, P.O. Box 173, La Grande 97850.

Paul A. Henderson

Wallowa

1949-2010

Paul Anthony Henderson, 61, of Wallowa, died Dec. 29 of cancer in Enterprise. The family is planning a memorial for the spring.

Paul was born Aug. 24, 1949, to William J. Henderson and Heidi Elizabeth Hitzig Henderson Neal at Livingston, Mont.

A 1967 graduate of Wallowa High School, he served with the U.S. Army in Germany.

Paul was a firefighter, mill worker and caregiver in Alaska, the southwestern states, Portland and Wallowa County.

He was an avid reader and researcher and admired American Indian history.

Paul is survived by his mother, Heidi Neal of Wallowa; sons, Luke Jarvis and his wife, Reanna, of Hermiston and Levi Jarvis of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Steve Henderson and his wife, Alice, of Wasilla, Alaska; sister, Laurie Henderson Arrowsmith and her husband, Curt, of Hood River; stepbrother, Brice Neal and his wife, Cheryl, of Brookings; two grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father.

The Observer publishes free obituaries as a community service. Obituaries are edited to fit news guidelines. Photos are encouraged. Paid space is available for families who would like to include more information. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center posts unedited obituaries at www.danielsknopp.com, and Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory posts obituaries at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.