Obituary: Mark DeForest Orton Jr.
Conductor/Composer Mark DeForest Orton Jr. passed away on October 17th, 2022 at the age of 93. Mark was born in St. Paul, MN to Mark Orton and Margaret Kalman Orton and spent his first decade there. He took an early interest in music which was fostered by his grandfather Charles Kalman, the director of The Minnesota Symphony and a prominent arts philanthropist. At 5 years old, Mark would ‘conduct’ nightly in front of the family Victrola. Through his grandfather, he was introduced to the celebrated conductor Eugene Ormandy, who, after hearing of Mark’s hobby, had a miniature conductor’s podium, music stand, and baton made especially for him. Ormandy would later become one of his mentors.
Mark went on to study music at Colorado College (with David Kraehenbuehl and Willi Appel) and at Julliard (with Vincent Persichetti and Robert Hufstader) where he earned a masters degree in choral conducting. In his early career in New York City, he was associate conductor under Robert Shaw with The Shaw Chorale and later conducted both The Summit Chorale and The Collegiate Chorale, with which he recorded several records for RCA. He worked with many notable 20th C. composers including Paul Hindemith, Darius Milhaud and Francis Poulenc.
In 1965, Mark met his wife Diane Breslow, who at the time was working with the Collegiate Chorale. They married and moved from NYC to Long Island where Mark took up a teaching position at S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook. He directed the BAFFA orchestra and chorus and also taught private lessons in conducting, piano and voice. At the same time, he began what would be a 35-year residency as music director of the Setauket Presbyterian Church. He built a remarkable musical community there, the evidence of which could be seen in each year’s Easter and Christmas concerts when he would cram a chamber orchestra and a full choir into the small balcony to perform full requiems and masses. During the course of his career, Mark also wrote and arranged hundreds of compositions for choir, both liturgical and secular.
Career aside, Mark was a family man through and through. He was a devoted husband and father and coached little league baseball and soccer, chaperoned ski trips, and was himself an avid swimmer and borderline polar bear – swimming miles in the Long Island Sound in a questionable stars and stripes speedo well into October. Born between the wars, he was a gentleman of the old school, known for his graciousness and old world style. That said, he was quite comfortable pushing fashion boundaries, sporting dashikis, Russian bomber hats, and sombreros alongside his conductor’s tux. Secrets of his longevity include time with his grandkids, playing Bach fugues on the piano, regular servings of crème brulée, and martinis dry enough to double as paint thinner.
In later life, Mark and Diane left Long Island and settled near their daughter Xani in Hood River, Oregon. Despite decreasing mobility in his later years, Mark remained a regular at both Freshies Bagels and 10-Speed Coffee, and could often be found chatting it up at the bar at Divot’s restaurant.
He is survived by his 6 children: Jenifer Calandri, Melissa Morris, Dickson Cunningham, Mark Orton III, Alexandra Petros, and Michael Orton, along with 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and roughly 1/3rd of the feral cat population back on Long Island.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Hood River Schools Music Program:
https://hrcef.org/contributeprograms-new/
Checks should be made out to: HRCEF
And sent to:
HRCEF
1011 Eugene St
Hood River, OR 97031
Memo: In memory of Mark Orton
Death Notice: Douglas Ray Ramthun, SR., Hood River
Death Notice: Douglas Ray Ramthun, SR., Hood River
Douglas Ray Ramthun, SR. passed away on November 21, 2022, in Hood River, Oregon. Douglas was born on October 1st, 1964, and he was 58 years old at the time of his passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Ellen Mansfield Sawyer, The Dalles
Death Notice: Ellen Mansfield Sawyer, The Dalles
Ellen Mansfield Sawyer passed away on November 30, 2022, at Flagstone Assisting Living in The Dalles, Oregon. Ellen was born on March 16, 1938, and was 84 years of age at the time of her passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Floyd Calvin McFall, Dallesport
Death Notice: Floyd Calvin McFall, Dallesport
Floyd Calvin McFall, age 93, a resident of Dallesport, WA, passed away on November 25, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notices: Bruce Taylor Cooper, The Dalles
Bruce Taylor Cooper, age 80, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 20, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.
Death Notices: Donna Gates, Dallesport
Donna Gates, age 78, a resident of Dallesport, OR, passed away on November 25, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Marvin B. Haney, The Dalles
Marvin B. Haney, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 28, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Aidee Farwig, Hood River
Aidee Farwig passed away on November 25, 2022 in Hood River, Oregon. Aidee was born on August 15, 1928 and was 94 years old at the time of her passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) located at 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Darlene Fenwick, Hood River
Darlene Fenwick passed away November 24th, 2022 at home in Hood River, Oregon surrounded by family. Darlene was born June 24, 1932 and was 90 years of age at the time of passing. Services are planned for 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 16th, 2022 at Providence Down Manor • 1950 Sterling Place, Hood River, OR 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Obituary: Chris David Kastner
Chris David Kastner of Hood River, Oregon.
Chris was welcomed into this world by his parents, Nancy and David Kastner on November 28, 1961, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Just in time for the ski season. Sadly, Chris left us on November 5, 2022, while trying to battle back from the debilitating stroke he had while kiting in Mexico last December. Also, just in time for ski season. It’s nice to now picture him skiing all the fresh powder and double-blacks that his heart and body desires.
Chris was a friend to all. If anyone ever had a bad thing to say about him, we’ve yet to meet them. He had a great community of friends and family whom he loved very much.
A graduate of Montana State University with a Construction Engineering degree, Chris decided to follow his passions in the ski industry. He started as a race coach at Mt. Hood Meadows and was quickly recruited to teach in the Ski School as well. Chris excelled at teaching skiing and in PSIA ‘Professional Ski Instructors of America’. This gained him the opportunity to work at many different resorts such as Aspen, Schweitzer as the Ski School Manager, Crystal Mountain as the Ski & Snowboard School Director, and eventually back to Mt. Hood Meadows where he finished his career as the Director of Resort Services.
Chris also served two four-year terms as a PSIA Alpine Team Member, a group that is considered to be the top ski instructors in the nation. He held various other roles with PSIA including Tech Team Member, and Certification Vice President of PSIA-NW. During his summers off Chris coached ski race camps at Timberline where he met Noburo Matsumoto, a coach from Japan. Together they started a race camp for Japanese ski racers which they ran together for almost 30 years.
Through his work in coaching and the leadership positions he held, Chris was able to share his passion for the sport he loved with many others. Helping grow their skills and careers, and also celebrating their successes. He loved every minute of it.
Chris married his best friend and playmate, Debbie Fuller when they were living up in Seattle and Greenwater. Theirs has been an amazing relationship full of incredible adventures on the snow, on the water, on beaches, and in each other's arms. They were the yin to each other's yang and made a happy home in Hood River together.
Ashley, Chris’s only daughter, made him extremely proud. As soon as she could stand he had her on skis. Throughout life, they shared a love for skiing, mountain biking, kiting, and dogs. They got to spend the last few years working together at Meadows in jobs they loved. Chris was able to hear and celebrate the news of Ashley’s recent engagement to Joe. The news gave him great joy.
Chris leaves behind his loving wife, Debbie Fuller, his daughter Ashley Kastner (Joe), his mother Nancy Kastner, brother Brad Kastner (Kellie), mother-in-law Gloria Staniforth, sister-in-law Wendy Lewrew (Jay), nieces Allie Kastner and Niki Reaux, and nephew Jake Kastner. He is preceded in death by his father David and his brother Jeff.
There is a community of many amazing friends that will miss him greatly. He wanted his friends to know how much he appreciated all of the help and support over the last 11 months for him and Debbie.
A gathering of friends and family is planned for Chris on November 28th from 5:30-8ish in the Columbia Room at the Hood River Best Western. If you have pictures to share for the event, please upload them here: https://bit.ly/ckastner. If you would like to make a donation in his name, two recommended options would be the Snowboard Outreach Society (sosoutreach.org) one of many organizations Chris worked with to introduce skiing & snowboarding to those who had been historically excluded from the sport, or the PNSIA Education Foundation (psia-nw.org/membership/scholarships/) which is used to provide scholarships to northwest instructors pursuing further education with PSIA. In addition, the original Go Fund Me (gofundme.com/chris-kastners-journey-back) is still open for donations to help cover current expenses and help Debbie’s future without Chris.
Thank you to Providence Hospice and the amazing care he received from the caregivers from Bobbi’s Way.
Through any adversity that came his way, Chris spent every day loving life and helping others to do the same. There is no doubt that instead of grief he would want those that cared about him to focus on living their lives to their fullest and celebrating all the fun times that were shared together.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) located at 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Alen Berg, The Dalles
Alen Berg passed away on November 24, 2022 at his residence in The Dalles, Oregon. Alen was born June 14, 1941 and was 81 years of age at the time of passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center located at Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Odette Weatherbe, Hood River
Odette Weatherbe passed away on November 24th, 2022 at a local care center in Hood River, Oregon. Odette was born September 7th, 1920 and was 102 years of age at the time of passing.
Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center, located at 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Obituary: Anita Joyce Kramer (Clapp)
Anita Joyce Kramer (Clapp) born December 1, 1954 Pana, Illinois to Joyce (Newlin) and Richard Clapp in Paris Illinois. Anita died on November 18, 2022 in Hood River, Oregon.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert J. Kramer aka “Big Bob” and three brothers, Raymond Clapp, Charles Richard Clapp, and Kenneth Nay. She is survived by her daughter Tara (Todd) Williams of Hood River and a brother, Charles Nay of Paris, Illinois along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews all over the country.
Anita and her parents moved from Illinois to Tempe, Arizona in the 1960s. She attended Tempe High and graduated in 1973. She attended a business college to study medical reception and administration. Anita was an inspiration to people from all walks of life. She touched the lives of many while she worked in admissions at Hood River Memorial Hospital where she gave support, inspiration, and guidance to those she served. She was often the first-person people would encounter. She knew how to make every patient feel important and comfortable while waiting to be seen. She retired in April 2010 after 20+ years of service.
Although Tara was a single child, she had many “brothers” and “sisters” as Anita was called “Mom” by all of Tara’s friends. Anita was nonjudgmental when she listened to their problems. She was a great listener and shoulder to cry on. She treated her daughter’s friends with love and respect and gave each one solid counsel as only a parent can. It was clear that once you become a friend you become family.
Anita always believed that there would be good and bad things that would happen. That’s just the way life goes. She taught us that life will always get better and that we must keep smiling and strive to be our best selves. One of the best things about Anita was her contagious laugh. You could hear her laugh from across the store and know exactly who that was.
Anita lost her husband, Robert J. Kramer in 2008 in a tragic accident on the family farm. In time, she reconnected with an old high school friend, Gary McKee. Gary had also lost the love of his life. As time passed their friendship grew into something special. Gary and Anita were together for 8 years. Unfortunately, Gary passed away unexpectedly on November 14th, 2022. This must have been too much to bear for Anita because she passed away 3 days later, presumably from a broken heart.
She will be missed by all who loved her.
A Memorial Service & Reception will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Anita's service will be shared via ZOOM Passcode: Anita
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84161443376?pwd=UmZ6UjlLU3pzQklGSnBYT3BtL3pRdz09
In lieu of sending flowers, please make a charitable contribution to Shriners Hospital in Anita’s name as the Shriners were a big part of Anita, Robert, and Tara’s life.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Memorial Service: Donovan Doroski, Hood River
Memorial Service: Donovan Doroski, Hood River
Donovan Doroski of Hood River, Oregon passed away on November 20th, 2022 at OHSU in Portland, Oregon surrounded by family.
Donovan was born August 29th, 1993, in Mons, Belgium and was 29 years of age at the time of passing.
A Memorial Service & Reception for Donovan is planned for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
LIVE STREAM LINK password: Donovan
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81761231962?pwd=NWFvZFVkbjVjY3I1bHFadVB2ck9EZz09
Death Notice: Shadley Steven Turner, The Dalles
Death Notice: Shadley Steven Turner, The Dalles
Shadley Steven Turner, age 44, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 18, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Gary L. McKee, Hood River
Gary L. McKee passed away on November 14th, 2022 at his home in Hood River, Oregon. Gary was born October 3, 1955 and was 67 years of age at the time of passing. Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Death Notice: Anthony Scott Watkins, The Dalles
Anthony Scott Watkins, age 38, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 19, 2022. A Funeral will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall November 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with a Graveside service to follow. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: Helen Ruth Stanley, Moro
Helen Ruth Stanley, age 86, a resident of Moro, OR, passed away on November 17, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.
Death Notice: David Dee Mooney, Hood River
David Dee Mooney passed away on November 17, 2022 in Hood River, Oregon. David was born on May 6th, 1955 and he was 68 years old at the time of his passing.
Memorial Services & Reception are planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10th, 2022 at Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Graveside committal at Idlewilde Cemetery will follow.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Obituary: Adolphus Moffatt Parker
Adolphus Moffatt Parker was in born in Cade, Oklahoma to Alfred & Kittie Parker on November 21st, 1930. He was the third of five children. The family got by with farming and raising stock near Boswell, Oklahoma. By today’s standard, these farms were very primitive, the cooking and heating were by wood while the lighting by kerosene and travel was horse and wagon.
In November 1943, after living the first 13 years of his life in Oklahoma, the Parker family moved west to Oregon and ultimately settling in the farming & logging community of Parkdale. Upon arrival, the family was excited and eager to explore this strange but beautiful new homeland of theirs!
Working at a young age shaped Adolph’s character working the farms, orchards, in the woods, and sawmills; with his first weekend tractor job starting at $1/hour. Adolph was always very thankful for the community he grew up in and how they supported youth with paying jobs and other activities. With the help of locals in 1950, Adolph traveled for one month time 8200 miles by train to represent Parkdale Explorer Scout Post at the Valley Forge, PA Boy Scout Jamboree.
In high school, he took a liking to sports playing football, basketball, and baseball under Coach Harold Oakes which he credited in strengthening his self-disciple and resolve as a young man. Adolph’s fighter mentality and stubbornness ended up making him a superb football player winning the team MVP. Adolph always talked about the time the Harlem Globe trotters came into town and he had a great time guarding a one-guard globe trotter until the starting buzzer blew! Adolph graduated Parkdale High School in 1950.
By April 1951, he was sworn into the Army at Fort Lewis as a Counter Intelligence Corps Agent with the 441st and was deployed to Tokyo, Japan until 1953. By the fall of 1953 after returning to work at the sawmill, he was convinced that he was definitely college material and enrolled into Oregon State College which he attended until he ran out of money in January 1955. During his time at OSU, he ran across jobs at the U.S. Border Patrol. The duties sounded interesting, the location was appealing (sunny Mexico Border), and the pay was adequate. By May 1955, he was sworn into the Border Patrol and reported for duty in El Paso, Texas.
During his time in Texas, he met and married Maria Lujan. They got married in March 1958 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. During their 18 years of marriage, they had 3 children (Clint, Cheryl, and Clyde). Adolph spent a total of 27 years in the U.S. Border Patrol along the Mexican border before retiring in January 1982.
In 1982, Adolph moved back “Home” to Parkdale. Retired, he started raising cattle, sheep, geese, and turkeys. Adolph enjoyed being a farmer so he could put on his cowboy hat, belt buckle, and boots to go down to Edna’s the local café. The morning ritual would include many stories and much debate over the topics of the day. Adolph enjoyed the farmer life even when he tried to ride the tame bull Bubba and ended up landing on his back. Regardless, Adolph kept busy during his 40+ years of retirement by hiking, shooting guns, and being active with his extended family and friends. He supported his 5 grandchildren in their sporting activities, family events, and inviting them over to be put to work and build character and he did not charge for these lessons!
Adolph was a well-read man with vast knowledge, spoke 3 languages yet liked things simple. He would often comment he was born 100 years too late, but we are happy he was a late bloomer. 92 years can’t be summed up in such few words, but the most important thing Adolph will be remembered for his Okie sayings, quips, being stubborn, making you laugh, advice, and support; but most importantly how he made each person feel special.
Adolph was the North Star for friends and family, and we can still look up for advice knowing that he is looking down on all of us. Adolph leaves behind his beloved dog Gus, 3 siblings (Pawnee Pegg, Charlotte Rhodes, Darrell Parker), Maria Lujan, 3 children (Clint Parker, Cheryl Parker-Williams, and Clyde Parker), daughter-in-law (Erika Parker), son-in-law (Mike Williams), 5 grandchildren (Bryan Williams, Cara Williams, Hannah Williams, Cade Parker, Campton Parker), and many more Parker cousins.
A special gratitude to the hospice nurses Bobby, Brandy, and Andy, as well as to the caregivers Jessalyn, Shelby, Angel, Stephane, and Jessie, who showed to Adolph comfort, tenderness, and sensitivity during challenging times.
In lou of flowers donations can be made to The Hood River Valley High School Football Team (C/O Anderson's Tribute Center 1401 Belmont Ave, Hood River, OR 97031)
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
