Obituary: Darlene Shirley (Gloor) Fenwick, Hood River

Darlene Shirley (Gloor) Fenwick, a loving mother and water aerobics instructor extraordinaire passed away peacefully at home after a short illness following a stroke on November 24, 2022. 

She was born June 24, 1932, in Ontario, California, resided in California until 1991, and then lived in Ashland, Oregon for 30 years. She spent her last two years in Hood River, Oregon. Her positive attitude and active lifestyle served her well into her 90th year.

She was talented and creative, whether designing/sewing costumes for her husband's high school productions, flower arranging, cake decorating, drawing, baking and knitting. A holiday for Darlene was always a cause for celebration. 

 She met her husband Joe as a student while performing in his student teaching production of The Glass Menagerie at Los Angeles City College. Darlene and Joe enjoyed 53 years of marriage, which included raising their four children, numerous travels, remodeling and finally building their dream house in Ashland, Oregon.

Darlene continued to assist her husband as he directed community theater in Ashland, even acting in one of his productions. She went back to college in 1984 and obtained her PT Assistance certificate. After moving to Oregon, she went on to teach Deep Water Aerobics at the local YMCA for 18 years before retiring in 2020 at age 88. She was president of The Ashland Garden Club, volunteering for city events, local gardens and floral displays for every season. She also continued to volunteer her sewing skills as well as ushering for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, all while enjoying theater productions offered by the city of Ashland. 

 Over the last two years, she lived at Providence Down Manor in Hood River where she enjoyed the camaraderie of the other residents as well as the many excursions and activities offered by both the residence and the community of Hood River. 

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Joe Fenwick in 2015 and her son-in-law, Ed Brown in 2020. She is survived by her children David, wife Belinda, Jeanine, husband Paul, Sherry, Dan, wife Joan, grandchildren Julia, Chris, Jeff and Garrett and great-granddaughters Josie and Rowen. 

 A Tribute and Toast to Darlene will be held at Down Manor in Hood River on Friday, December 16 at 4 pm. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring in Ashland, Oregon. 

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

Death Notices: Neal Robert Harth, The Dalles; Gary Lee Haynes, The Dalles

Neal Robert Harth, age 78, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 3, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Gary Lee Haynes, age 86, A resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 05, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Alvena May June Smith, The Dalles

Alvena May June Smith, age 87, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 5, 2022.

A Funeral will be held December 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM at The Life In Christ Church, 3095 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles, OR. A Private Family Graveside at Odd Fellows Cemetery. A Luncheon at Life In Christ Perish Hall is set for 12:00 PM.

Death Notices: Thomas Phillip Stout, The Dalles; James Earl Wake, The Dalles; Suzan Marie Smith, Tygh Valley

Thomas Phillip Stout, age 89, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 30, 2022. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

James Earl Wake, age 89, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on December 3, 2022. Graveside service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery 1100 W 18th St, The Dalles, OR, on December 8, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Suzan Marie Smith, age 70, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on December 2, 2022. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Debbra Louise Lorengel, Hood River

Debbra Louise Lorengel passed away on December 1, 2022 at her home in Hood River, Oregon. Debbra was born on June 15, 1951 and was 71 years old at the time of her passing.  

Funeral services for Debbra will take place at 11:00 a.m. on December 15, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church (305 9th St, Hood River, OR 97031) with a graveside service to follow at Idlewilde Cemetery (980 Tucker Rd, 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. 

Obituary: Carolee Mae Lyddon

View fullsize

Carolee Mae Lyddon passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on, November 28, 2022.  She was born to a large farming family in North Central Missouri, but was the only child of Charles and Cecile (Cordray) Buswell, born on March 31, 1935 in the family home in Purdin, Linneus County, Missouri. The Buswell family still have substantial farm holdings in that area.  

Her family left the area when she was 16 because of her mother’s health, and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1951. Not long after arriving she met, and 3 months later on October 26, 1951, married Dale Harry Lyddon whose parents had moved to Albuquerque from Galesburg, Illinois not long before.  

To their union they added a daughter Deborah Joyce (Vaday) in 1952, Phillip Dale 1954, Stephen Douglas 1955, and William Kevin in 1958.  In August of 1958 the family packed up and moved to Parkdale, Oregon to be near Dale’s sister Carol Goss, and family. It was a rough beginning in Parkdale as it was a tight-knit community, and the locals thought that this large family would be moving on after the harvest. This family worked hard to fit into the fabric of their new surroundings, and Dale found work where he could to support his growing family, until he was hired at the Harvey Aluminum Company in February of 1959. Dale retired from then Martin Marietta Aluminum in 1994.  

Carolee found work with the other wives and mothers of Parkdale at Diamond Fruit Growers as a seasonal worker.  They bought their first home in the community of Mt. Hood and the children started school there. In 1966 they bought a 17-acre pear orchard on what is now McIntosh Road south of Parkdale. Dale continued to work at the aluminum plant and run the farm with the aid of their sons who were now high school aged.  

They sold the farm in 1972 and moved to Pear Blossom Road in Hood River, and resided there until July of 2022, moving to a senior living apartment in The Dalles, Oregon to be near their son Phil.  

Upon moving to Hood River, Carolee sought out summer work at the Columbia Gorge Rehabilitation Center, a private non-profit training and employment program for people with disabilities, as a production worker. When it was time to go back to the packing house that fall, she was offered a staff position, setting up a quality control/shipping receiving department. In 1980 she was offered the opportunity to attend Seattle University and obtained a degree in Rehabilitation Workshop Administration in 1982. She then served as the Executive Director of the Rehabilitation Center for three years. The position also included overseeing The Dalles Rehabilitation center, the Hood River Adult group home and The Dalles Adult group home. She took an early retirement with Dale when the aluminum plant closed in 1984. The plant reopened in 1986 so both she and Dale went back to their respective positions.  

She returned as the Executive Director until another could be found to fill the position, then she stepped into the position of Director of Commercial Services. She retired in 1996 and she and Dale spent many years enjoying the Columbia River Gorge, traveling whenever possible, and enjoying their 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.  Dale and Carolee celebrated 71 years of marriage in October of 2022.  

Carolee was proceeded in death by her parents, and granddaughter Jennifer Lyddon (Isaacson) in 2005. She is survived by all the other children and grandchildren.  

She was a faithful Christian and member of Tucker Road Baptist Church. Hardly a time did she and Dale miss when the church doors were open. She taught the Women’s Sunday School Class, and Women’s Bible Study, facilitated the Grief Share Support group, and was the church treasurer for many years, and continued to be on many committees through the years.  

 A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Tucker Road Baptist Church, 1455 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon. Followed by a good ol’ Southern Baptist Potluck Dinner. Only thing missing will be her famous “Dirt Cake” a staple when she attended.  

Remembrances in her name, in lieu of flowers, etc. may be made to Tucker Road Baptist Church, at the same address. Also, to Providence Hospice of Gorge.  

The family would like to make special recognition and thanks to Carolee’s special friend and recent adopted family member, Hyacinth Kawatashin, of whom she met through Grief Share, and has been a faithful friend since. A few years ago, Hya promised to be by her side as her loving healthcare provider during her final days. She fulfilled that promise by going above and beyond with her excellent care, and support to the family as Carolee’s health failed more rapidly than anyone imagined it would.  

Also, our special thank you to all the loving caregivers of Hospice of the Gorge who went above and beyond to keep Carolee comfortable, and to support the family in helping them care for their mother in her home.  

She wanted to make a special thank you to their wonderful neighbors of 50 years on Pear Blossom Road. They became the seniors on the block and were watched over by caring neighbors.   

A final thanks to her church family at Tucker Road Baptist Church who have supported Dale and Carolee for over 40 years.  She talked often of meeting them again in her eternal Heavenly home.   

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

Death Notice: George Alan Fisher, The Dalles

George Alan Fisher, age 87, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on November 30, 2022.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Allen Edwin Berg, The Dalles

Allen Edwin Berg passed away 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 the Celilo Chapel on 204 E. 4th Street in The Dalles, Oregon 97058.

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.  

View fullsize

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

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

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

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.

View fullsize

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.