Obituary: Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, Pendleton
Marilyn often shared stories of her childhood on Smock Prairie, situated along the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in northern Wasco County, overlooking Mount Hood. Throughout most of her adult life, Marilyn worked in several positions with the Oregon Department of Human Services, serving communities in The Dalles, Hood River, Pendleton, and Baker City. She loved helping people through difficult times.
Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away on June 20, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington, surrounded by family. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1, 2026~ 3 p.m. at the Community Center in Wamic, Oregon.
Marilyn was born on February 23, 1956, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Elden Rufus Deel and Juanita Pearl Deel. She attended her early years of school in Wamic, Oregon, and graduated from Wasco County Union High School in Maupin, Oregon, in 1974. She later attended college in Prineville and Portland, Oregon.
Throughout most of her adult life, Marilyn worked in several positions with the Oregon Department of Human Services, serving communities in The Dalles, Hood River, Pendleton, and Baker City. She loved helping people through difficult times, and her ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life made her career especially rewarding. The many friendships she developed over the years were deeply cherished.
Marilyn often shared stories of her childhood on Smock Prairie, situated along the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in northern Wasco County, overlooking Mount Hood. She described a simple life filled with family, hard work, and lasting memories. Among her favorite stories were those of being tied to a saddle at just two years old while accompanying family members as they moved cattle, and later spending countless hours riding her beloved horse, Copper. These were some of the memories she treasured most.
Her love of music and horses remained with her throughout her life. She enjoyed spending time with family, camping, visiting the Oregon Coast, taking long drives with picnic lunches, and attending family reunions. She delighted in sharing stories and memories of these experiences with those she loved.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather and her siblings Jerold Deel, Howard Deel, Donna Tollefson, and Dwaine Moss.
She is survived by her daughter, Jesica Obenshain and son-in-law Jesse of Pendleton, OR; grandchildren, Oakley Deel and partner Shelby Kobasa, and Ashly Deel and partner Kole Keller-Morris; great grandchildren, Amelia, Michelle, Octavia, Rhett, and Matthew; sister Saundra Bork of Baker City, OR; brother Michael "Mickey" Deel and wife Sandra "Sandy" of Oregon City, OR.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stirrup Hope Therapeutic Riding through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR., 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com
Death Notice: George Joseph Kopp, 76, Tygh Valley
Death Notice: George Joseph Kopp, 76, Tygh Valley
George Joseph Kopp, age 76, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away at home on June 17, 2025.
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Lyle W. Simonds, 98, Hood River
Death Notice: Lyle W. Simonds, 98, Hood River
Lyle W. Simonds a longtime resident of Hood River, Oregon having moved here in 1948 passed away June 17th, 2024 at his residence in Salem, Oregon where he has lived since 1988. Lyle was born February 16th, 1926 in Needmore, North Carolina and he was 98 years of age at the time of passing.
SERVICES FOR LYLE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Visitation & Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 19th, 2024 Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Celebration of Life, Military Honors & Reception
11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 20th, 2024 Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Graveside Rites
1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 20th, 2024 at Idlewilde Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: August Jimmy Law, 68, The Dalles
Death Notice: August Jimmy Law, 68, The Dalles
August Jimmy Law, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, and Wishram, WA, passed away on June 18, 2024.
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Chris Robert Flint, 68, White Salmon
Death Notice: Chris Robert Flint, 68, White Salmon
Chris Robert Flint, age 68, a resident of White Salmon, WA, passed away on June 23, 2024.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Obituary: Darlena “Dee” May Hill, 84, The Dalles
Obituary: Darlena “Dee” May Hill, 84, The Dalles
Darlena “Dee” May Hill, born on April 8, 1940, to Dorothy and Nyle Hill and a lifetime resident of The Dalles, OR passed away on June 17, 2024, with her family by her side. Dee attended The Dalles High School where she met Darrell Hill, who became her sweetheart and lifelong partner. The two began their lives as a married couple on June 15, 1958. As they started their love story, everyone who met Dee knew that she had married her best friend as they completed each other.
Over the years of service to the community of the City of The Dalles and Wasco County, Dee was often in the front seat of Darrell’s car tossing candy out to children in parades. To say the two were inseparable would be an understatement. As Darrell retired they started to travel around the United States exploring genealogy and fulfilling their love of adventure. Dee and Darrell also loved to take pictures of community events, travels, family, and friends.
The Hill family expanded with daughters DeAnna Hill and Debbie Hill (Loomis). As a young family, the Hill’s liked to go camping. Dee loved traveling the world with her daughters and visiting grandchildren. Dee and Darrell also opened their home to many children and youth by serving as foster parents for the State child welfare system and youth with disabilities. They served as house parents for the Community Attention Home before the closing in 2005.
Dee worked in office settings as an Office Manager, bookkeeper, and personnel manager for several businesses and the City of The Dalles. She was a dedicated public employee and was the first female employee at the city treatment plant. Dee was always blazing a trail for others.
Dee served on The Dalles City Council and was Darrell’s right hand when he ran and was elected Wasco County Sheriff. As Dee states, this cannot just be about her as for over 58 years they were life partners and together they loved and supported each other.
Dee is survived by her daughter DeAnna Hill (Mark), of Anchorage, AK, daughter Debbie Loomis (Brady), Gig Harbor, WA, two sisters, Donna Smith (Richard), and Loretta Commander (Jerry), one brother, Joe Hill, four grandchildren, Britney Bass (Matt), Garrett Loomis (Trish), Greyson Loomis (Meressa), Grant Loomis (Amber), and eight great-grandchildren. Dee is preceded in death by her husband Darrell Hill, parents, and three brothers.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Heart of Hospice.
