Death Notice: Maureen “George” Francis Lappen, 84, Maupin

Maureen “George” Francis Lappen, age 84, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at a care facility on February 9, 2024.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Lawrence E. Wilber, 90, The Dalles

Lawrence E. Wilber passed away on January 31, 2025, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, OR. He was born on June 11, 1934, in Laona, WI to Gert & Skinny Wilber. They moved to Goldendale, WA in 1950. After graduating High School in 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force. Several months later, he was diagnosed with diabetes and received a medical discharge. Afterward, he returned to Goldendale and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Layman, on June 11, 1955 and they enjoyed 69 wonderful years together. They had one son, Phillip James.

In 1958 they moved to The Dalles, OR where Larry worked for Bill Maxfield selling automotive parts, then later drove a Richfield gas truck for Herb Miller delivering gas and diesel all over Wasco County. In 1970, he opened Larry's Ninth Street Shell Station. He retired in 1995 and then moved to Dallesport, WA. Larry was a friend to all and enjoyed his family and friends, especially his two grandsons. He also enjoyed bowling, woodworking, and sports, especially the Seattle Mariners, his church, and was a proud member of The Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight from 1969 to 1971.

He is survived by his loving family, including his wife Ruth, son Phillip and his wife Kim of Milwaukie, OR, grandsons Zachary of Milwaukie, OR, Jackson and his wife Miranda of Vancouver WA, his brother Lyle and his wife Cindy Wilber of Ellensburg WA, sister in law Alice Wilber, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Leonard Wilber.

There will be a Rosary held at 10:30 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, with Father Rene Labrador officiating. The interment will be at St. Peter's Parish Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or to St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Death Notice: Donna Marie Meengs, 84, The Dalles

Donna Marie Meengs passed away January 3rd, 2025 in The Dalles, Oregon. Donna was born September 29th, 1940 and was 84 years of age at the time of her passing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. 

 Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Kathleen Maude (Schreiber) Olson, 80, The Dalles

Kathleen Maude (Schreiber) Olson, 80, passed away at her home on March 10, 2024. Katie was born on May 4, 1943, to Lawrence Joseph Schreiber and Waive Mildred (Martin) Schreiber in The Dalles, OR. She grew up on her family’s farm on Juniper Flat and attended school in Maupin. She was very active in 4H–raising steers, cooking, sewing, and entering her projects in the Wasco Co. and OR State Fairs.

In 1961 she graduated from Maupin High School, then attended Western Business University in Portland, moving on to various jobs in Portland and Salem. After a few years she moved back home, got a job as the Secretary at Dufur School, and married Ronald Ratcliff in 1964. They were married for ten years and lived in Friend, OR.

In 1975 Katie met Robert W. Olson while fishing in Blaine, WA, and they were married in Oak Harbor, WA soon after. They moved to Whidbey Island, WA where they fished, sold herring, milled logs, remodeled an old hotel, and started their family–Thomas L. Olson and twins Martin P. Olson and RoseAnna L. (Olson) Hertel. Katie would take her young children fishing in the Puget Sound nearly every morning, catching everything from salmon to bottom fish to red snapper and cod. She was a master fisherman and line detangler.

After five years Bob and Katie returned to Dufur, purchased a farm, and had their 4th child, Albert K. Olson. While raising their children and helping Bob farm, Katie loved growing a huge garden from which she harvested and canned all kinds of fruits and vegetables. They even kept a milk cow and she would make butter, yogurt, ice cream, and everything in between. 

After her children were older, Katie worked as a bus driver for Dufur School for many years in the 1990s. When her husband Bob of 28 years died in 2003, Katie became active in a plethora of activities and clubs including quilting, and porcelain painting, the Butterfly Chairman and Treasurer of the OR State Garden Club, as well as President and member of the Dufur Valley Garden Club. She took classes to become an official flower and vegetable judge at the county fairs, was a lifelong member of the Ramsey Park Grange, and was Secretary and member of the White River Christian Fellowship Church in Tygh Valley. 

Katie loved her flower and vegetable garden up until the day she died, and she became known to some as the ‘Tomato Lady’. She would involve herself in all the community fundraisers–selling pie and ice cream to benefit the Dufur Fire and Ambulance, making jam and cooking at the Ramsey Grange Hunter’s Breakfasts and Threshing Bee Breakfasts, setting up and organizing the Dufur Hometown Christmas Bazaars, and making countless amounts of pies for the Jam Sessions at the Ramsey Grange Hall. To many, she was known as the ‘Pie Lady’. True to her German origins, she was also very well known for her amazing homemade sauerkraut. Katie had so many talents and hobbies and was constantly researching ways to make what she did better–for herself, others, and all the living creatures that she loved–birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and flowers. In her later years, Katie slowed down a bit but continued to enjoy cooking, gardening, painting, quilting, and playing cards. 

But most of all Katie loved and lived for her children and grandchildren, teaching them all she knew, to work hard, to love others, and to be patient and kind to all living things. She had a kind word and a loving heart for all and could find something special or some hidden talent in everyone.  Preceding her in death were her husband Robert W. Olson and her brother David L. Schreiber. 

She is survived by her sons Thomas L. Olson and wife Sydney, Martin P. Olson and wife Moryah, Albert K. Olson and wife Shilah, and daughter RoseAnna L. (Olson) Hertel and husband Travis, all of Dufur, and her five grandchildren: Caleb B. Olson, Morgan M. Olson, Nolan J. Olson, Lucinda R. Hertel, and Catherine (Kitti) W. Hertel, all of Dufur. Katie's Celebration of Life was held at the Dufur City Park on Sunday, August 25, 2024.