Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 31
In alignment with the close of the year, Eric Bergland died on December 31, 2025 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Born in 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eric was the second child of Oscar and Charity (née Roys) Bergland. He leaves behind his beloved wife, artist Sally Metcalf, son Alan Olav Bergland (Louella Hill) and grandsons, Langston Olav Bergland and Abel Olav Bergland. Also surviving Eric are his older sister Christen (late husband Joe) Bement, his younger sister Melissa (Daniel) Burnham, three...
Crystal was born on January 7, 1961, in Eugene, OR to Robert and Marjorie Speck. She was raised in Medford, OR and later returned to the Willamette Valley to raise her family. Crystal devoted much of her life to serving children and families through her work. She was a bus driver for the McKenzie and Maupin School Districts, a role she truly loved. She took pride in safely transporting generations of students and building connections with the families she saw each day. In addition to driving,...
Karen Rose Lauer Bissonette was born in Kokomo, Indiana on October 15, 1961. She passed away on January 21, 2026. Her parents are Rev. Dr. Richard and Mrs. Doris Lauer of McKenzie Bridge. Portland, has been her home since she was 4 years old. But she was a partner in the family owned Caddisfly Resort LLC at McKenzie Bridge since 1995. Her grandparents, Marlo and Florence Lauer developed and owned the Caddisfly from its beginning in the 1950's. She loved the McKenzie River and its surrounding...
Phillip "Phil" Rosebrook, Sr., a devoted husband, father, mentor, and community builder, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, at the age of 85. Born in Berlin, Wisconsin, Phil grew up with a strong sense of curiosity and a drive to learn. He attended Berlin High School and went on to graduate from Wisconsin State University–Oshkosh. Early in his career, he shared his love of learning as a schoolteacher in Mundelein, Illinois. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to establish s...
Patricia Lucille Christean Shama 1-3-40 to 11-13-24 Born in Jacksonville, Oregon, Pat was the second of four children. She graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1958 and married John Shama in 1960. Daughters Kelly and Shelly were born in Eugene, Oregon but the family moved often due to John’s work. Pat and John finally settled on the McKenzie River, Oregon in 1985 where she and John remained until her death. Pat’s passions were family, friends, and beauty. She is missed by many. Mem...
Janet Sue Siebers departed this earth on July 13th 2025 in Bend, OR, from cancer, at the age of 82. Janet, the only child of Harry and Lela Schlee, was born in 1942 in Hood Canal, WA in an idyllic setting where she was raised into adulthood. Janet met her husband, Tom and settled in Eugene, OR where she had their only child, Holly in 1977. Ultimately they sought out a rural life and moved to the McKenzie River community whereby they called home for nearly 40 years, owning and operating the...
David (Dave) Louis Elia, age 77, of Blue River, Oregon, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2024, in Springfield, Oregon, holding the hand of his firstborn granddaughter, Samantha. Born on June 15, 1946, in Portland, Oregon, to Lorene Elia (Benedict) and Louis Elia. Dave lived a vibrant life defined by his passion for cooking, devotion to family, and love for the outdoors. A proud graduate of McKenzie High School in Blue River, Class of 1964. Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve...
Dorothy Isabelle Keays, affectionately known as Dotti, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon, at the age of 98. Born on July 12, 1926 in Sydney, Nova Scotia to Claude and Lillian Rateau, Dorothy lived a long and vibrant life. Preceded in death by her parents and 7 siblings: Claude, Madeleine, Jacques, Clarence, Marjorie, Mary, and Edna; she also was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pressly, in 2005. Dotti relocated from Canada to Southern California and there,...
Our sweet Paislee, age 8, left this world far too soon, but left behind a light in this world that will never fade. She passed away surrounded by love after a courageous journey marked by strength, bravery, grace, and endless joy even in the face of challenges. Paislee was a kind, vibrant soul who loved spending time with her siblings, The Minions, music, dancing, flowers, playing games, and being surrounded by those she loved. She taught us all that no matter what we are facing we can always...
On Monday January 27, 2025, at 88 years young, Norman Cleo Carter passed away peacefully in his lifelong McKenzie River home. Norman Carter was born on November 15, 1936 in Eugene Oregon. As a kid, he lived in Leaburg on the family farm. He went to school and graduated from Springfield High in 1955. In 1956, Norm enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in France and Germany. He first was an MP and then later transferred to transportation. After getting out of the Army, he met Donna Kellogg...
Kenneth M. Scott of Leaburg, OR passed away quickly from cardiac arrest on Friday December 20, 2024 at his home. He was born in Griffin, GA, the son of the late Thomas Leroy Scott, Sr. and Bessie Mae on April 19, 1943. He had one brother, the late Tommy Scott, Jr.. Ken, enlisted in the Navy at age of 15. He then enlisted in the Coast Guard at age 17 and was stationed in Florida, New York and Greece. In 1963 he was stationed in Southern California where he lived until 1970. It was here that he...
September 2, 1922 – November 11, 2023 Longtime Leaburg, Oregon resident, Sunnie Marr Burger, age 101, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Cascade Place in Enumclaw, WA on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023, from age related causes. Sunnie was born on September 2, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Ethel and David Weitz. She had two older sisters, Millie and Alice. In 1942 her family moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, CA. The country was at war and the Army had a need for women, so Sun...
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Victor Kirk Vidal. Father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. Victor left us too soon on July 24, 2023. Born on Nov. 9, 1958 in Carmel, California to Arthur and Merrellyn Vidal. He and his family moved to the McKenzie River in the early 70s. Victor attended McKenzie High School in Finn Rock, Oregon. Victor later became a Groundsman traveling throughout the PNW in the 90s/early 00s and was a coach to many, always inspiring the power...
Kenward F. “Skip” Cosper of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, died in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 26, 2023, and is survived by his wife, Katheryn Townsend Cosper and his two children, Darcy Buck and Elora Cosper. Skip was born February 6, 1939, in Plentywood, Montana to Ransom and Norma Johnson Cosper. His family moved to Oaksdale, Washington in 1943, where his father ultimately became Superintendent of Schools, and the family, as a whole, took up subsistence farming. Cosper graduated sa...
On July 3, 2023, Joyce Brooks passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Puyallup Washington. She was born Dec. 3, 1931 in New Haven, CT to Pasquale and Lillian Pocaro. She spent most of her childhood in Uxbridge, MA before moving with her parents to Southern California. In 1962 she married Pierce Brooks in Capistrano, CA. and in 1969 they moved to Springfield, OR where her husband became Chief of Police. In 1977 he became Chief of Police for Eugene and they moved to the McKenzie River area they...
Springfield, OR. Elvira “Ellie” Harris was bom March 14,1932 in East Barnum, Connecticut, and passed away in family arms on February 10,2023 in her Deerhom community home near the McKenzie River. She had valiantly fought reoccurring cancer and, towards last, a stroke resulting from cancer treatment. Her life's adventures included being a spouse of a submariner and a respiratory therapist, plus a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Until retirement Ellie was a commercial actor, medical di...
William “Bill” David Burwell, age 73, of Rainbow, Oregon, passed away Friday, February 17th, 2023 due to complications from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Born in 1949 to David and Gale Burwell, Bill grew up learning to float Oregon’s rivers, explore Wilderness trails, and work in the woods. Throughout his life he had a strong sense of the surrounding land and forests, and an interest in indigenous ways of life. In 1967 Bill graduated from Thurston High School with a football scholar...
Closen Francis Christian, Jr., 86, of Eugene, passed away at home in Eugene on February 26, 2023. Closen was born on March 24, 1936, in Crescent City, California, to Closen Christian Sr. and Georgene Leishman Christian. The family lived in several logging camps before finally settling near Finn Rock, Oregon, in the early 1940’s. Closen attended Springfield High School, graduating in 1954. Closen married Lydia Anderson in 1955, and together they raised three children in the Mohawk Valley east o...
February 26, 1921 – December 26, 2022 After an amazing full life, Donald Lavell Persinger passed away peacefully on December 26, 2022 just shy of his 102nd birthday. Don leaves to cherish their memories , wife Denta and family, in-laws Lynne and Doug and family, daughter-in-law Kathy Persinger, son-in-law Mike Kennedy and 4 grand children , Heather, Adam, Ryan and Hailey and great grandchildren Ulysses, River and Henry. Don was predeceased by his two older brothers, Les and Frances, his first wi...
EUGENE - Sandra Tippetts Dodds was born June 7, 1935 in Lovell, Wyoming. She died peacefully on January 3, 2023, surrounded by daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She grew up on a farm in Lovell with her twin brothers, Gerry and Jerry. She was active in 4H, and became a skilled seamstress and an accomplished quilter. She especially loved creating quilt tops and quilting them by hand. She has gifted children and grandchildren many beautiful quilts to be cherished for...
Ann Elizabeth Robson, 91, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away on October 28, 2022, with dementia. Ann was born in Bellingham, Washington, on October 24, 1931, to parents Rachel (Robinson) and Ralph Hensley. She is survived by her husband, Clayton Robson, daughter Jocelyn Whitfield, son Ladd Robson, son Rand Robson, sister Gretchen Morris, and brother Peter Hensley. Preceding her in death were their son Duncan (SIDS) and son Lance. She graduated High School in Aurora, Illinois, in 1949. She attended...
Jeremy Christopher Gabriel Sewell was born to Carolyn Gabriel and Ralph Sewell on August 19, 1979, at Lucinia Birth Center in Cottage Grove, Oregon. His brother and five sisters were among the sizable group present that welcomed Jeremy into the world. On January 21, 2022, at the age of 42, Jeremy journeyed beyond this life. He is survived by his high school love and wife of 16 years, Angela (Broom) Sewell (Their relationship spanning 24 years.), his daughter Emalyn, and son Mason. He felt such...
August 15, 1934-February 7, 2022 Shari Parker passed away on February 7, 2022, at the age of 87 of age-related illness. Shari was born in Vida, Oregon to Richard Eugene and Dorothy Josephine Dare on August 15, 1934. Shari attended schools in Deerhorn, Klamath Falls, and graduated from Springfield high school in 1952. Shari married Robert (Bob) Parker on August 26th, 1956, in Deerhorn. Bob died in 2016. Shari was a homemaker who enjoyed bowling, golfing, camping, gardening, rock hunting, and...
Springfield, OR. Janet Isabel Larson Scofield passed away peacefully at home, on January 1, 2022. She was 92 years old. Janie was born on a cold day, January 26, 1929, on the Charlie Borche Ranch, in Harding County, South Dakota. She was raised by her parents, Arnold and Martha Olson Larson, on family ranches homesteaded by her paternal and maternal great-grandparents. Janie had an older half-sister Ruth, and five younger brothers: Jim, Bill, twins Keith and Kenton, and Pete. She graduated from...
9-25-63 to 1-10-22 Long time resident of the McKenzie valley, Jeannette Rae Thomson, passed into eternity on January 10th 2022 from her battle with lung cancer. Jeannette was born to Ira York and Patricia Thomson JR on September 25th, 1963. She has one brother, Ira York Thomson III and sister-in-law, Hollie Thomson of Hamilton Mt. Two nephews, Ira Joseph Thomson and John Paul Bell, Two nieces, Naomi Thomson and Sarah Harris. Jeannette grew up on the McKenzie enjoying the Gate Creek swimming...
