Obituary: Norma Arlene Biede (Jager), 99, The Dalles

Norma Arlene Biede (Jager) was born November 21, 1924, in Emerson, Nebraska to Otto and Mary Schopke and was one of their five children. She was raised and attended schools near Emerson.

Norma worked on the family farm beginning at a young age. When she married Harry Biede on June 7, 1944, in Emerson they rented a small homestead and farmed in Emerson then moved out west to The Dalles, OR in 1957. In The Dalles, Norma worked for Cherry Growers, Mid-Columbia Medical Center in the lab, and The Dalles Health Department.

Norma was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1957, which included choir and handbells. Some of her other interests included Cascade Singers, quilting, Pinochle parties, and participating in Red Hats. We can’t forget how she loved her yearly garage sales. Norma was also a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Norma is survived by her 3 children; Joanne Hoff, Terrebonne, OR., Ken Biede (Judy) The Dalles, OR., and Gwen Anderson of Delano, MN. Grandchildren; Erik (Dom), Kristin (Josh) Ron Webber and Carla Webber, great-grandchildren; Makayla, Tripp, Sydney, Ronnie (Felicia), Erin (Jordan), Carson (Emma), great-great grandchildren; Kailyn, Charlotte, Eleanor, and Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Harry of 61 years, sister Eleanor and grandson Jeff.

Graveside Service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Cherry Heights Rd. in The Dalles, OR Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11:00 am where Erin Smalley will be officiating.

The family would like to Thank Caretenders House of The Dalles for taking such care of Norma.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are is in care of her arrangements.

Death Notice: Stephen Marc Greene, 72, Mosier

Stephen Marc Greene, age 72, a resident of Mosier, OR, passed away on April 1, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Shirley Virginia Miller, 79, The Dalles

Shirley Virginia Miller, 79, passed away on March 28, 2024, from Alzheimer’s disease. She was a gifted artist, pianist, and master gardener who lived to share her love of these passions with others.

Celebration of Life will be held on April 20th at 4:00 PM at Bargeway Event Center. Guests may be dropped off at the Event Center entrance but please park vehicles in the event overflow parking area unless needing to use disabled parking. A private interment of Shirley with her mother, Mable Virginia Savage, will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery in The Dalles, OR.

Shirley was born April 5, 1944, on the third-floor maternity ward of Mid-Columbia Hospital downtown The Dalles to Duane Delbert and Mable Virginia (Savage) Miller. She graduated from The Dalles High School in 1962 and studied art at Portland State University and Oregon State University. Shirley signed her work Shirle’ in remembrance of her mother “who was my first believer and encouraged me to enjoy my gift.” Shirley shared with us “I have loved to draw for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, the best Christmas gift every year was a big new box of Crayola Crayons.”

Her art mediums included oils, watercolors, pastels, printmaking, sculpture, floral arrangements, and pottery but it was her work in colored pencils where she was most comfortable. Her Coloring book of The Dalles, Oregon still adorns several local family shelves. In 1999, she was honored when her “Smokey Joe - Dream Builder” pastel was chosen to be displayed in Oregon State’s Capitol Rotunda. Her commissioned children, floral, landscape, and pet portraits hang throughout our community. Her art has been displayed at prominent locations throughout the Northwest including Bush Barn Art Center, The Dalles Art Center, and Columbia Art Gallery.

Shirley was a long-time member of OSU Master Gardener, Friends of the Rose Garden, and P.E.O. Chapter Q. She was a founding member of the Veterans’ Honor Garden located at Sorosis Park. As a recipient of a P.E.O. Scholarship, she had made it a lifelong commitment to show her thanks through active membership and support of philanthropic education of women.

Shirley will be remembered by many for her shenanigans and sometimes witty innocent responses. In a Community Spotlight interview, she was asked “What do you consider your best kept secret?” and without hesitation, she answered, “I can’t tell you.” Still on a roll she was asked “What would surprise people if they knew it about you? “To which she quickly replied “No surprises here. I’ve lived here too long.”

Preceded in death by parents Duane and Mable “Ginni” Miller, brother Richard “Dick” Miller, and Aunt Wyona Jones. Her companions and best friends Spicey, Skip and Bear.

Shirley is survived by her children and their families: Kevin and Jamie Bailey (KatelynBailey and Oscar Anaya, Jace, Kiersten, and Azarah Bailey, McKenna Bailey and Duncan Wilcox, and Delaney Bailey), Diana Bailey (Grandpups Teal and Cooper), and Donna Bailey (Samantha, Benjamin, MacCord, Jack, Ruth, and Penelope Howrey and Ashley, Matthew, Pepper, Theodore, Sophie, and Scarlett Alexander). Sister-in-law Peggy Miller and John Willmorth, nephew Bob and Rene Miller, niece Debbie and Jamie Winters (Jacob, Jenna, Jessi, and Joshua). Best Friends Sara and Mike DeBolt. Kenneth and Shirley Bailey. All the extended Bailey family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to:

P.E.O. Chapter Q Education Scholarships. Please make checks payable to PEO Chapter Q and write on the Memo line “In Memory of Shirley Miller.” Mail to Diana Bailey at 1416 Nevada St., The Dalles, OR 97058, or to The Dalles Art Center mail directly to P.O. Box 1026, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in Shirley’s online guestbook at Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Death Notices: Judy Louise Wooderson, 79, The Dalles; Norma Arlene Biede, 99, The Dalles

Judy Louise Wooderson, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on March 19, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Club in The Dalles, OR April 6, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Norma Arlene Biede, age 99, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on April 4, 2024. A Private Family viewing will be held. A Graveside Service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Cherry Heights Rd. in The Dalles, OR April 12, 2024, at 11:00 am. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of her arrangements.  

Death Notices: Iris Ann Noble, 74, The Dalles; Harold "Gene" Eugene Rolen, 95, The Dalles

Iris Ann Noble, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on April 4, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of her arrangements.

Harold "Gene" Eugene Rolen, age 95, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on March 9, 2024. A Funeral will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall April 13, 2024 at 11:00 am with Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Three Mile Rd. in The Dalles, OR. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

Obituary: Christopher Todd McNeel, 62, The Dalles

Christopher Todd McNeel of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Chris was born in Vancouver, Washington on June 18 th , 1962, the first of four children to Roxene Sarvela and Frank McNeel. He spent the majority of his early childhood near Vancouver with his parents and three sisters. In his teens, his family moved to Lyle, Washington where his parents purchased the Mid Valley market in Odell and then later the Lyle Merc, where Chris worked throughout his high school years.

In 1981 he graduated from Lyle High School. The following year he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as an aircraft ordnance technician. He was stationed in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Canada, and the United States. He was meritoriously promoted twice and held the rank of corporal when he was honorably discharged in 1986.

After serving as a U.S. Marine, he returned to his hometown of Lyle where he worked the next couple of summers helping his Uncle Don and Aunt Marian, who were subcontracting to build part of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Mt. Rainier National Forest. His winters were spent working at Mt. Hood Meadows where he developed a passion for skiing.

Chris’ first daughter, Summer, was born in 1987, followed shortly by his son Tobiah, and then daughter Marnette. Chris became a corrections Deputy for the Wasco County Sheriff’s office in 1990 where he was instrumental in establishing a home detention program through the Wasco County jail. In the mid-90s he was promoted to patrol deputy where he worked concurrently with the Sherman County Sheriff’s office. For several years during this time, he was also the school resource officer for Wasco County.

Chris met Andrea Eagy in 1998 and they were married two years later. His fourth child, son Maxwell, was born in 2002. Chris spent five years on the Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Team (MINT) and in 2004 was promoted to Sergeant. He worked major crimes investigations for several years before he was promoted and served as Chief Deputy in 2016 until his retirement in 2018. Never one to sit still for long, Chris joined the Wasco County Planning Department as Code Compliance Officer and later as Assistant Planner.

Chris had an amazing zest for life. He had the personality and natural charisma to befriend anyone he met. Evidence of his integrity, character, and faith was illustrated in his unwavering love for Jesus and for his family. Chris’ depth of knowledge in the Scriptures was remarkable and lent itself to the deep connections he made with people. With a fierce love of the outdoors, Chris found great joy in spending time in nature with family. He loved to snowboard, surf, and paddleboard, and he enjoyed spending family time in the summer at the river or the coast. Pacific City, in particular, held great charm; you could find him on the beach, cold beer in hand, with a view of surfers, Cape Kiwanda, and Haystack Rock on the horizon.

Chris will be deeply missed by his wife Andrea and his children, Summer Bodolay, Tobiah McNeel, Marnette (Mathew) Melton, and Maxwell McNeel; his grandchildren, Maynard, Genevieve, Hannah, Roxene, Willow, Elsie, and Odinn; his parents, Frank (Theresa) McNeel, and stepfather Keith Woods; brother Adam McNeel, step-brothers Kevin and Kurt Woods and Brian and Kevin Scattergood. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Roxene Woods, and his three sisters, René Smith, Monique Myers, and Jennifer Heldstab.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Covenant Christian Church at 2630 E. 18th St in The Dalles, Oregon on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Chris had a heart for children. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Death Notice: Marion Douglas Lindley, 78, The Dalles

Marion Douglas Lindley, age 78, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on April 3, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Ed Hendershot, 72, Hood River

Ed Hendershot passed away on April 2nd, 2024 in Hood River, Oregon. Ed was born April 16th, 1951. He was 72 years of age at the time of passing.

A memorial service at the family property in Parkdale will be announced soon.

Donations to assist the family with Ed’s funeral expenses can be made directly to Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  

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

Wendy Ann Wilson, 63, The Dalles

Wendy Ann Wilson, age 63, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on March 29th, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held in May at the Zion Lutheran Church in The Dalles, OR.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of her arrangements.

Death Notice: Larry Del Coon, 69, Hood River

Larry Del Coon passed away March 31st, 2024, at his home in Hood River, Oregon. Larry was born May 14th, 1954 and was 69 years of age at the time of 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.

Death Notice: Maryal Virginia Schultz, 90, Goldendale

Maryal Virginia Schultz, age 90, a resident of Goldendale, WA, passed away March 28, 2024. A Memorial will be held at the Klickitat Community Center April 13th, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

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

Death Notice: Bruce Barker, 77, Hood River

Bruce Barker passed away March 29th, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Bruce was born July 8th, 1946 and was 77 years of age at the time of 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.

Death Notice: Carol Margaret Ann Sovenski, 76, Hood River

Carol Margaret Ann Sovenski passed away March 30th, 2024, at the Hood River Care Center in Hood River, Oregon.  Carol was born September 26th, 1947 and was 76 years of age at the time of 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 family.

Death Notice: Virginia Arlene McClain, 87, The Dalles

Virginia Arlene McClain, age 87, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed way March 17, 2024. A Funeral Service will be held April 5, 2024, 12:00 PM in the gathering hall at Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Ave., The Dalles, OR 97058 with burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, 18th St., in The Dalles.

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

Obituary: Dwight L. “Bo” Worsham, 78, Hood River

Dwight L. “Bo” Worsham passed away on March 22nd, 2024 at Providence Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon surrounded by family. Bo was born on August 1st, 1945 in Nevada to mother Opal and father Dwight. At the time of passing, Bo was 78 years old. 

Bo was an only child. Bo grew up in Parkdale, Oregon, and went to school at Hood River Valley High School. He worked for SDS Lumber from 1967 to 2010 He married Carolyn Worsham, the love of his life in 1965 and was married for 58 years, until his death. Bo had 3 children. Bo worked for SDS Lumber until his retirement in 2010.

 Bo was a selfless and family-oriented man, liking to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Bo enjoyed working on lawnmowers, and cars and building birdhouses in his shop. Bo also helped with the 4H Club and Boy Scouts when his children were young. Bo also helped with multiple Community-Ed sports throughout his life.

Bo was preceded in death by his son Aaron and both parents. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Worsham, children Jason Worsham and Jennifer Bloom, as well as daughter-in-law Manessah and son-in-law Jeremy. Bo is also survived by grandchildren Jocelyn, Peyton, Brantley, and Zoe.

A graveside service for Bo will be held at the Upper Valley Cemetery in Parkdale, Oregon on April 11, 2024, at 1:00 P.M.

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.

Death Notice: John Michael Hager, age 68, Tygh Valley

John Michael Hager, age 68, Tygh Valley, OR, passed away March 25, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Darleen Elizabeth Taylor, 90, The Dalles

Darleen Elizabeth Taylor, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on March 25, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Jeri Carleen Bozicevic, 83, Dufur

Jeri Carleen Bozicevic, age 83, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away on March 23, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Shirley May Wilson, 86, The Dalles

Shirley May Wilson, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on March 24, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Carol Ann Hoffmann, Hood River

Carol Ann Hoffmann passed away on March 18th, 2024 at her home in Hood River, Oregon. Carol was born . . . well, if you knew Carol you will fondly remember that she would never tell you her age so we have decided to honor Carol by doing the same now … we can however share her life story and we encourage you to share a memory for friends and family at  www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com

Carol was born in Maywood, California to George & Pearl (Romar) Meeks.  She was one of 8 children; she grew up in California attending schools in the Los Angeles area and graduated from Gardena High School.  Carol married Larry Hoffmann in Santa Barbara, California.

Carol ran for our community’s Hood River County Library board this last year and Carol wrote her below biography.

“My husband, Larry, and I moved in the mid-1970s to Parkdale, where we farmed a 40-acre pear and apple orchard and later ran the Parkdale Chevron Station.  I was the Parkdale columnist for the Hood River News for 15 years, reporting on all the happenings in the community, which I dearly loved.  Back in the day, when postal carriers received mail for Aunt Carol, Parkdale, Oregon, they knew exactly where to deliver it.  For the past 21 years, I have lived in beautiful Hood River.

My passion for more than 31 years has been serving and advocating for children and the elderly.  I’ve volunteered with the Hood River County School District as an Instructional Assistant substitute for almost 30 years.  I’ve also volunteered with the Hood River County Extension Office 4-H Program, working with the youth of our community.  I’ve spent more than 20 years working with the houseless in Oregon by providing clothing to those in need.  I served for 10 years as a State of Oregon Ombudsman advocating for the elderly in our community.

I love the people and the children of this valley and want to keep this community a haven for all for many generations to come.”                       

written by Carol Hoffmann in May of 2023

Carol was a woman of Faith; she was a member of Covenant Christian Church in Hood River and also served on several mission trips over the year and the day before she passed, she was feeding the homeless.   Carol never knew a stranger, she treated everyone as if she’d known them forever.  Carol had a passion for life and lived it with vitality, compassion, positivity, and love.

A time for friends to Celebrate Carol’s life and mourn her passing is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at Covenant Christian (455 Frankton Rd, Hood River, OR 97031).  Carol was laid to rest at the Upper Valley Parkdale Cemetery.

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