Obituaries for the day of February 24, 2011

LOCAL FUNERALS AND VISITATIONS

Feb. 25 – Lanna Jo Dawson, funeral, 10 a.m., Gray’s West and Co. Pioneer Chapel, Baker City; burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Baker City

Feb. 25 – Howard Pidcock, memorial service, 11 a.m., Loveland Funeral Chapel

March 5 – Patricia Brown, funeral, 11 a.m., Faith Lutheran Church, La Grande

March 5 – Joel Burgess, memorial service, 2:30 p.m., Church of Christ, La Grande; potluck follows

Harmony Joy Latak Walter

La Grande

Harmony Joy Latak Walter, infant daughter of Jolben and Garryann Latak and Brad and Cindy Walter, died shortly after birth Feb.22 in La Grande. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center is in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie June Brott

Elgin

1948-2011

Bonnie June Brott, 62, of Elgin, died Feb. 3 at Grande Ronde Hospital from a heart attack. Her memorial service will be announced at a later date. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Bonnie was born June 8, 1948, in Nevada City, Calif., the youngest daughter of Walter and Virginia (Montgomery) Brott. She grew up in Silver City and Carson City, Nev., and then moved to Minden, Nev., where she graduated from Douglas County High School. She worked for Bently Nevada for many years and then moved to Elgin in October 2000 to help care for her father.

Bonnie loved all animals, especially cats and horses. She enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Kristi Brott. Survivors include her sisters and their spouses, Barbara and Charles Davis of Payson, Ariz., and Beverly and Frank Smith of Clayton, Idaho; three nieces and four nephews; 13 great-nieces; seven great-nephews; three great-great-nieces; and three great-great-nephews.

Mason Kade Martin

Boise

2011-2011

Mason Kade Martin, premature infant son of Meghan Martin, died Feb. 22 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. A graveside service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Cemetery. A dinner for family and friends will immediately follow at the Elgin Community Center. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Mason was born Feb. 22 at 7:30 a.m. and passed away at 8:08 a.m. He weighed 1 pound 4 ounces and was 11.5 inches long.

Survivors include his mother, Meghan of Boise, formerly of Elgin; grandparents, Terry and Teresa Martin of Elgin and Jeff and Kristina Horn of Colville, Wash.; great-grandparents, Colleen Garrett of Boise, Sandra Dunham of La Grande, Betty Lou and Gale Martin of Elgin, Susan Eaton of Falls City and Ed and Laveta Botz of Elgin; and aunts and uncles, Nic Martin of Elgin, Justine Parks of Burlington, Wash., Jordan and Cotty Horn of Corvallis, Katelyn Wilhelm of Klamath Falls, and Garett Crawford of Milton-Freewater.

Mason was preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Jack Garett and Dale Eaton; great-uncle, Jeffrey Brian Martin; and cousin, Finn Garrett.

Eleanor Massey

La Grande

1911-2011

Eleanor Helen Massey, 99, of La Grande, died Feb. 20 at Wildflower Lodge, two months short of her 100 birthday. There will be a memorial service at Wildflower Lodge in March. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Eleanor was born April 27, 1911, to Maria (Kraus) and Josef Rudolph Necas in Essen, Germany. When she was one month old, her family came to the United States on the steamship SS Brennen, landing in Houston, Texas. Eleanor’s father purchased land in Eagles Nest, N.M., where she grew up with her five siblings. Her mother died when she was an infant. Eleanor had many fond memories of being raised on the ranch and the wonderful care she received from her dad.

Eleanor especially appreciated the book “Alice in Wonderland,” and had relatives and siblings read the story to her many times. The family fondly called her “Alice” for many years.

At the age of 19, Eleanor married and moved to California. She lived the rest of her life in California and Oregon. She liked being near the ocean and especially enjoyed the storms. The power and strength of the ocean was something that intrigued her and that she respected.

Eleanor moved to La Grande in 2004 and resided at Wildflower Lodge. She developed many friendships during her years in La Grande and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Laverne Van Ness of La Grande; son, Emil Torquato of Canby; and six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

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.