Beatrice Martha Jordan

Beatrice Martha Jordan, age 82, of Salem and formerly of La Grande, died Sunday, December 19, 2004 at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht celebrating. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Jordan was born on January 15, 1922, the daughter of Orville and Ella (Ballmahn) Collins in Glen, Michigan. She moved to La Grande in 1960 and operated the Rainbow Café and Truck Stop on Hwy. 30 from 1960 until 1975. She was known from coast to coast as having the best food and the best service around. Trucker's went out of their way to come by for a slice of homemade pie and a cup of fresh brewed coffee!

On September 3, 1972 she married Robert E. "Smoky" Jordan in La Grande. He preceded her in death in 2001. She was a member of the Eagles Lodge from 1965 until 2004 and was Madam State President 1985-1986. She participated in the National Bowling Championship and enjoyed traveling in the motor home.

Survivors include her children, John Decker of Fennville, Michigan, Linda Ellen Simmons of Hoschton, Georgia, Loretta Kathleen Felty of Eugene, Oregon, Margaret Ruth Martin of Salem, Oregon and Michael Walter Shields of La Grande, Oregon; brother, Jerry Collins of Umatilla, Oregon; grandchildren, Lisa VandeGuchte of Zeeland, Michigan, Cassie Decker of Zeeland, Michigan, Laura Bea Baker of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Teresa Fay Simmons of Grayson, Georgia, Robert Brady Simmons of Hoschton, Georgia, Melissa Kaye Dillingham of Springfield, Oregon, Margaret Ellen Roberson of Springfield, Oregon, Cynthia Kathleen Davis of Medford, Oregon, Kaycee Melinda Poissant of Keizer, Oregon, Christopher Allen Martin of Salem, Oregon, Michelle Sheree Shields of Eugene, Oregon and Jennifer Robin Lambert of La Grande, Oregon; seventeen great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Jordan to the Diabetes Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley. 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.