Obituary: Juanita June (Crofford) Carpenter, 97, The Dalles

Juanita June (Crofford) Carpenter, 97, passed peacefully on April 24, 2025, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon. Juanita was born on August 27, 1927, in Yakima, Washington. She was the oldest of five children born to Abram and Evelyn Crofford.

Raised in Whitefish, Montana, during the depression, she graduated from high school in Cut Bank, Montana, in 1945. She spent the war years working for Bell Telephone in Shelby, Montana, as a switchboard operator. In 1946-47, Juanita enrolled at Northwest Nazarene College, where she majored in Elementary Education. There, she also met her future husband, Donald Carpenter, who was majoring in Music Education. They were married in 1948, and four years later started their family.

Juanita, Donald, and their two boys spent many years in Idaho and Montana before moving to The Dalles, Oregon, in 1957. Juanita took a job as a bookkeeper with the Apex Finance Company. However, having an appreciation for the arts and being a talented piano player, it wasn’t long before she was hired by The Dalles School District #12 as an elementary music education specialist. Juanita would travel from school to school, classroom to classroom, teaching music appreciation, singing, and playing simple instruments.

During the summers, Juanita and her husband would pack up the family, move to Portland, and attend summer school at Portland State University. In doing so, Juanita finished her degree in Elementary Education. With a Bachelor's of Science certificate in hand, Juanita accepted a 3rd grade teaching position at Dry Hollow Elementary.

When her children were independent enough, she again enrolled at Portland State University in pursuit of a Master’s degree. Juanita would commute to Portland for classes during the day, only to return home in time to give piano lessons.

Possessing an affinity for the arts, and as a noted bibliophile, Juanita was awarded a Master’s degree in Media Science. These credentials allowed her to finish her career in the service of youth in the community as a school librarian. In fact, one of her granddaughter-in-laws vividly remembers how engaging her library was at Colonel Wright Elementary, no doubt partly due to the introduction of Apple Computers and “The Oregon Trail” computer game, as well as Juanita’s ability to share her love of books. True to form, Juanita’s family is still discovering in her possession personally signed tomes by the likes of authors such as Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, and Beverly Cleary.

When it came time to retire from serving the school community, Juanita remained engaged with philanthropic organizations such as P.E.O. International and Daughters of the American Revolution, volunteering as a Docent at Maryhill Museum of Art, she had substantial social involvement in Bridge and Golf at The Dalles Country Club, and the Swap and Swing Square Dance Club. She was, later in life, limited in her active travel time enjoyment due to a freak accident that severely limited her ability to use her legs and hands.

Juanita is survived by her sister, Naomi (Phillip) Beymer of Eugene, Oregon; her son Michael (Lynn) Carpenter of The Dalles, Oregon; her grandsons Kyle (Jennifer) Carpenter of Aurora, Oregon, and Cory (Karyn) Carpenter of Bozeman, Montana; three great-grandsons, Conley, Kase, and Cutler; and one great-granddaughter, Wren. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son, Steven; parents, and brothers, Calvin, Norman, and Donald Crofford.

Juanita will be remembered for her love of teaching youth, her fierce intellect, her knowledge and appreciation of art, fashion, film, music, and literature, her wonderful culinary talents, her dry sense of humor, and the overall class that she conveyed. She was truly quite the lady, admired for how she could do whatever she set out to do. Donations, in her honor, may be made to the The Dalles-Wasco County Library or the Oregon Veterans Home. Her family would like to give special thanks for their wonderful care and support at OVH.

Arrangements are under the direction of Spencer, Libby, and Powell; 1100 Kelly Ave., The Dalles, Oregon, where condolences/remembrances may be directed.

Obituary: Peggy S. Childs, 102, The Dalles

Peggy S. Childs, 102, a resident of The Dalles, OR, went to join the Lord and her beloved husband on April 29, 2025. Born on September 24, 1922. She was the oldest of three children of John D and Margaret Alderman Shelburne of Dayton. OR.

Peggy attended school in Dayton and was named salutatorian of her graduating class. She later graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. It was at OSC that she met and married her sweetheart, David Childs.

Their lives were interrupted by World War II, Peggy spent several agonizing months while David, a fighter pilot, was listed as “Missing in Action” after being shot down by German forces, then spending time in several POW camps. After the war both returned to OSC to finish their degrees. They then moved to Arlington to operate David’s family farm on Shuttler Flat. In 1951 they welcomed a son, Chris, and in 1954 a daughter, Kathleen.

Peggy’s greatest joys were family, cooking, and gardening. She was a loving and devoted wife and supported the children’s education at the nearby small Olex school; she was always ready to sew uniforms or costumes as needed. She was a mainstay member of the locally renowned “Mikkalo Grange cooks” and prepared summer meals for harvest crews. Her cooking was second to none. Her large gardens always provided an abundance of fresh produce.

Peggy also stayed involved in community activities, serving a term on the local historical society board and for many years as treasurer of her church.

In 1989 David and Peggy retired and moved to The Dalles. Traveling quickly became a favorite pastime The couple particularly enjoyed a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia and later a lengthy visit to Siberia. From the latter adventure Peggy penned and published a small book entitled “A Trip to Siberia,” focusing in large part on the many exotic foods they encountered along the way.

Peggy was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Jack, sister, Mary Ann and husband David (with whom she spent an astounding 77 wonderful years).

Peggy is survived by her son Chris and his wife Denise of Silverton, OR, daughter Kathleen “Kit” Kamo and husband Curt of Caldwell, ID, grandson, David Kamo and his wife Rhiannon, and two great-grandchildren, Kobe and Khloe.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 pm on May 10, 2025, at The Springs at Mill Creek “Spring Room”, 1201 W 10th St., The Dalles, OR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gilliam County Historical Society of The Dalles United Methodist Church.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Special thanks to the caring staff of The Springs at Mill Creek as well as the compassionate people at Provident Hospice.

Peggy attended school in Dayton and was named salutatorian of her graduating class. She later graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. It was at OSC that she met and married her sweetheart, David Childs.

Their lives were interrupted by World War II, Peggy spent several agonizing months while David, a fighter pilot, was listed as “Missing in Action” after being shot down by German forces, then spending time is several POW camps. After the war both returned to OSC to finish their degrees. They then moved to Arlington to operate David’s family farm on Shuttler Flat. In 1951 they welcomed a son, Chris, and in 1954 a daughter, Kathleen.