Clayton Keith Ansell

Clayton Keith Ansell, 88, of La Grande, died Sunday, May 6th at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A memorial graveside will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. at the Grandview Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Clayton was born on November 29, 1923 in La Grande to Leonard and Vana (Wheat) Ansell. He was raised in La Grande and graduated with the La Grande High School class of 1942. During World War II he served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Honolulu. He was selected to become an engineer and was sent to V12 at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He later attended Eastern where he graduated with an Associate degree and then he attended Oregon State where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree. On June 18, 1949 he married Mary Madison in Echo. In 1950 Clayton went to work for the Oregon Department of Transportation and the couple lived in La Grande, Joseph, Vale, La Grande, Dayville, Baker, Milton-Freewater,Eugene and Ontario before returning to La Grande where they remained until his death. He was a Registered Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor, retiring in 1985. Clayton was a member of the Oregon Professional Engineers Association, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Jaycees in Enterprise. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tying flies, hiking and camping. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and taught gun safety to all of them.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of La Grande; children, Collin K. and Lisa of Albany, Wade B. and Heeyoung of Goodyear, Arizona, Wynne G and Jeffrey Mack of Oak Harbor, Washington; 10 grandchildren, Craig K. Ansell, Sarah D. Casillas, Monica Robinson, Troy Ansell, Jeffrey C., Christine, L., and Steven M. Mack, Joseph and Brandi, Fred and Emily and Zachary and Jamie Mendenhall; 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Inez Pendlebury of Enumclaw, Washington and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lewis, and a sister Gladys Keeney.

Contributions in memory of Clayton Ansell may be made to the charity of one's choice and may be sent in care of Daniels-Knopp, 1502 7th St., La Grande, OR 97850. Those who wish may sign the on-line guestbook or leave a message for the family at www.danielsknopp.com.

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