Patricia “Pat” Heroff-Fielding

Dennis Dee Olsen

March 15, 1935 – March 24, 2018

Dennis Dee “Denny” Olsen, 83, died March 24, 2018. He grew up in John Day, where he was very involved in athletics. He played college baseball at the University of Oregon for his hero Don Kirsch. His first teaching job was in Drain High School, where in 1962 he coached a talented team to a state baseball championship. In 1963, he continued teaching and was a counselor in the Springfield School District until he retired.

He married Brenda Gustafson in 1961, and they moved to a ranch close to Creswell. The couple loved to dance in their younger years, and he was an exceptionally good dancer. They enjoyed riding their horses and taking horseback trips to the high lakes and fishing there. They enjoyed water skiing and trips to the lake with family and friends. Olsen coached their son, Scott, in little league baseball, and they enjoyed watching him play ball, ride motorcycles and play slow pitch as an adult. They enjoyed seeing Shauna, their daughter, excelling in school activities and music. They were also proud of their grandkids. They enjoyed traveling to Cody’s swim meets for many years and watched Jake play basketball and soccer. Family time was always special to Olsen. A favorite outing was taking the family to Sun River over Labor Day weekend for many years where they biked, ran the river, played cards and just hung out together.

Olsen was also a great community man. He was an active member in the Creswell Presbyterian Church for 40 plus years and served on the session several times and sang in the choir. He was active in Kiwanis and volunteered for South Lane Wheels to drive people in need. He always spoke fondly of his riders and called them his friends.

Olsen had a life well lived. He is remembered as always being kind. He loved his family, and they loved him in return. A family celebration of life will be held.

Larry V. Hensley

Feb. 28, 2018

Larry V. Hensley, 64, passed away Feb. 28 in Salem. He was born in Prairie City but spent his younger years in Ontario and later moved to John Day, where he attended and graduated from Grant Union High School in 1972. He proceeded to further his education and attended Lane Community College, eventually moving to Salem.

He later met his wife, Susan L. Hensley, and they married in Ontario.

He worked as a logger and diesel mechanic, but spent his free time attending almost every activity and sports event of his grandsons, hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with friends and family, along with attending the Peoples Church.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Hensley, Salem; sister Aloma Kay Watson of Ontario; daughters Jenifer Hensley and Angela Bond of Salem; two grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

Patricia ‘Pat’ Heroff-Fielding

Jan. 27, 1936 – March 12, 2018

Patricia “Pat” Heroff-Fielding, 83, died March 12 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Baker City. A celebration of life wake will be held at a later date, the time and date to be announced.

She was born on Jan. 27, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was raised and educated there, graduating from South High School. She married Donald Heroff, and they had three children. They later divorced, but always remained good friends until his passing in 2008.

She met Mitch while working at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The medical center had eight high rises and 3,000 employees. They were married on Sept. 3, 1983. In 1995, they got away from the city life and moved to Granite. He built the Granite Lodge from 1995 to 1998, and soon after they were open for business.

She was a teacher and mentor who led by example and stood up for those who had trouble standing by themselves.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Dawn Rae in 1967.

She is survived by her husband, Mitch; daughter Jai Cee Heroff; son Michael Heroff; and sister-in-law Andy Mash of Sumpter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher House, which provides veteran families a place to stay when a veteran is in the hospital, through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.

C.D. Dale Morris

A celebration of life and potluck reception for C.D. Dale Morris will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. All friends are welcome to attend. Morris, 98, passed away Jan. 28.

Thelma Jean Vaughan

1932 – March 28, 2018

Thelma Jean Vaughan, 85, of Burns passed away March 28 at her home.

Vaughan was born in 1932 in Prineville to Harry and Mildred Evans, one of seven children, including a twin sister, Velma. She attended middle school in Brothers at the little red schoolhouse, often commuting via horse and staying in town for the school week. The Evans family eventually settled in Burns where she graduated high school in 1950.

Shortly after graduation, she met Donald Vaughan at the Harney County Rodeo. The two, along with Faye and Roy Travis, were wed in a double ceremony in 1951.

She worked for many years for The Modern Laundry. She took care of many children for working parents and often took them in as her own. She always had a roof and a meal for any of the children that came into her home. Many of those parents became her lifelong friends.

Vaughan was involved in her community through several activities through the years. Her creative nature led her to the Harney County Arts & Crafts Association, which connects Harney County artists through artists’ workshops, meetings and the sponsorship of community art events such as the Quilt and Art show. She was a talented painter, seamstress, crocheter, knitter and pianist. She was also an avid amateur genealogist and spent many years pursuing her family’s history. This search would eventually lead to her publishing a book, “Harriet’s Journey,” which detailed the migration of her grandmother, Harriet Williams Comstock Evans, from Wales to America. Always willing to lend a hand, she assisted many other families with their own research and was a frequent contributor at Find-A-Grave and Ancestry websites. When she wasn’t involved in the arts or family research, she could be found with a glass of iced tea and a book. Reading was a passion for her, and she instilled that same passion in her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Brian and wife, Becky, of Bend; Ken Vaughan of Burns; Jeanne Strange and husband, Bruce, of Kimberly; Paula Vaughan and Jeff Rohwer of Burns; sister Fay Travis and husband, Roy, of Burns; twin sister Velma Whitson and husband, Howard, of Bend; five grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son Rodger; infant grandson Evan Vaughan; brothers Bud, Don and Bill Evans; and sister Norma Evans.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Burns Christian Church, 125 S. Buena Vista. A potluck gathering of friends and family will follow.