Betty Marjorie Ragsdale

Betty Marjorie Ragsdale, age 86, of La Grande, died Thursday, December 20, 2007 in Walla Walla. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on Thursday, December 27, 2007. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.

Mrs. Ragsdale was born on November 4, 1921 in Callaway, Nebraska to Anna Molgard and William P. Lauridsen. She graduated from Callaway High School in 1939. That fall she enrolled at Easter Oregon College. She graduated with her degree and teaching certificate and immediately took a position in Ontario, Oregon. She stayed there for three and a half years. She married Donald Charles Ragsdale in March of 1944 and accepted a teaching position in the La Grande School District. She spent 39 years sharing her love of education with the region's students. She loved her daughters, her students, her friends and her home. She enjoyed walking with her dogs and reading.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1965 and her brother, Dr. James Lauridsen from Port Huron, Michigan. She leaves her sister, Kathryn May of Fort Worth, Texas a cousin, Floris Soles of Charles City, Iowa; her daughters, Frances Ragsdale of Chatfield, Minnesota and Donna Perkey of Cottage Grove. Donna and her husband, Doug, have two beautiful daughters, Dorian Bette and Danae Glendon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blue Mtn. Humane Association.