Kermit R. Brown

Formerly of La Grande

1925-2017

Kermit Robert Brown, 91, of Seal Rock and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 11 in Newport. A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. A service will begin 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at Daniels~Knopp, followed by burial at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.

Known as Bob or K.R., he was born Dec. 22, 1925, in La Grande, to Henry and Emma (Davis) Brown. He was raised in Wilderville, near Grants Pass. After high school Bob served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in New Guinea, where he operated small landing craft. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a conductor until retiring after 42 years in 1989.

On Aug. 14, 1948, Bob married Donna Jean Hurd. They lived in Alicel for several years and later moved to La Grande. The past few years they lived in Pendleton and then Seal Rock. Bob enjoyed being with family, camping, hunting, fishing, gardening and getting firewood.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of Seal Rock; children, Fred Brown, Charles Brown and William Brown; and 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, five sisters, and a daughter, Sherrie Johnson.

Margaret B. Head

La Grande

1924-2017

Margaret Butler Head, 93, of La Grande, died Jan. 12 at the home of her daughter in Cove. A viewing and visitation with family will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Loveland Funeral Chapel & Crematory. A memorial service will be held later.

Margaret was born Jan. 4, 1924, in Driggs, Idaho, to Asa Milton and Mable Clair (Wallace) Butler. She had an older sister, Phyllis, and two younger brothers, Milton Wallace Butler and Blaine Stowell Butler. Margaret loved growing up in the Teton Valley, where she graduated as valedictorian and student body president in 1942.

Margaret attended Brigham Young University. She worked at various secretarial and bookkeeping jobs and was employed at Geneva Steel Plant in Provo, Utah. She graduated from BYU in 1948. At a dance class at BYU, Margaret met S. Conrade Head after he returned from service in the Air Army Corp in World War II. They married Nov. 16, 1948, in the LDS Idaho Falls Temple.

Margaret and Conrade lived in various places while Conrade completed his schooling, worked in the oil industry and taught at universities. They moved to La Grande in 1967.

Margaret was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and held many leadership and teaching positions in Relief Society, MIA, Primary and Sunday school organizations. She belonged to Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Sew & So Club and the Walkie-Talkie group of women who walked laps while visiting in the church hallways.

A voracious reader of history, Margaret also loved a good novel. She kept up on current events and had strong political opinions. Her family says she was very wise and held the confidences of her children and grandchildren and always lent a listening ear. Margaret was humble in her life and mannerisms, and her home was open to many.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Catherine and Ab Orton of Cove, Carolyn and David Bugher of Lakewood, Washington, Kenneth and Nancy Head of Washington, Utah, and Julie and Bert Quebbeman of La Grande; brother and sister-in-law, Blaine and Barbara Butler of Centerville, Utah; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, Conrade; parents, Asa and Clair; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Maurice Lambert; brother and sister-in-law, Milton and Betty Lou Butler; and great-granddaughters, Lydia and Emma Levanger.

Online condolences may be made at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Donald B. Madsen

La Grande

1930-2017

Donald B. Madsen, 86, of La Grande and formerly a longtime Hermiston resident, died Jan. 15. A viewing will begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 21, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., both at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hermiston. Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston.

Known as Don, he was born March 7, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, to Bert and Emma (Hall) Madsen. Don was raised and attended schools in Monroe, Utah, and later Bountiful, Utah. He attended Davis High School, participating in football, basketball and baseball and graduating in 1948.

While at Davis High School, Don met Laurel Joyce Sibbett, and they were united in marriage on June 30, 1950, in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. Don attended and played both basketball and football at Weber College and then later at the College of Idaho, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He then earned a master’s degree in education at the University of Oregon.

Don began his teaching and coaching career in 1952 in Parma, Idaho. He later taught in Caldwell. Idaho, and in Dayville before moving to Hermiston in 1956. Don taught history and driver’s ed and various other subjects and coached basketball and football. He retired from teaching in 1990 after 33 years in the Hermiston School District.

After retirement Don coached the boys varsity basketball team at Riverside High School in Boardman for one year. He then coached basketball at BMCC for several years with longtime friend Larry Bartee.

Don was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a church service mission with his wife at the Willow Creek Branch for two years in Lexington and Heppner and also served in various other callings including Ward clerk and Stake High Councilman. Don enjoyed coaching at any level, supporting his grandchildren in their activities and hunting. According to his family, there wasn’t a child or animal that didn’t enjoy his gentle manner.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Joyce Madsen of La Grande; sons, Michael Madsen of Hermiston and Mark Madsen and his wife, JoAnna, of La Grande; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mac Madsen; and sister; Judy Forster.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hermiston Booster Club. Online condolences may be made at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Charles “Dale” McDaniel

Formerly of Elgin

1934-2017

Charles “Dale” McDaniel, 82, of Hillsboro and formerly of Elgin, died Jan. 13 at Tuality Community Hospital. A private service will be held at a later time.

Known as Dale, he was born June 30, 1934, in La Grande, Clifford and Margaret (McDonald) McDaniel. He attended schools in Wallowa and Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School in 1952. On Oct. 14, 1953, Dale married Janice Gerber of La Grande. They had three children, Kathleen, Michael and Karen. Over the next 12 years, they lived in San Diego, Elgin, Seattle, and Roy, Utah, before permanently returning to Oregon in 1965.

Dale served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. After his discharge from the Navy, he worked for Boeing, Tektronix, Flir Systems and other electronic firms until retiring in 1995.

Dale enjoyed gardening, especially growing a variety of tomatoes, fishing, hunting and camping. He also liked working on photos on his computer, helping others with their computers and spending time with his family. He was a life member of the American Legion and Hillsboro Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Janice; daughters, Kathie Hatley and Karen Goemmel and her husband, Jeff, of Hillsboro; son, Mike McDaniel and his wife, Katerina, of Oregon City; sister, Marcy Widell of La Grande; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Margaret; sister, Elaine Skochenko; and niece, Marla Luse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elgin Oregon Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 551, Elgin 97827. Online condolences may be made at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.

Bonnie C. Moffit

Wallowa

1940-2017

Bonnie Colleen Moffit, 76, died Jan. 13 in Arizona, where she and her husband, Keith, have been wintering for 20-plus years. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 at Bollman Funeral Home in Enterprise, followed by a potluck at the Wallowa Senior Center.

Bonnie was born July 24, 1940, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She was well known for her phenomenal love of cooking and her love for her family and friends across the country.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Keith; children, Steven and Amy; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many brothers and sisters.