Daniel R. Couzens

Daniel R. Couzens, 50, of Umatilla and formerly of La Grande, died April 11 at his home.

A celebration of life service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Oregon National Guard Armory in Hermiston with a potluck luncheon to follow. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.

Daniel was born March 4, 1959, to Charles and Clarane Urie Couzens in Baker. He was raised and attended school in Baker, graduating from Baker High School in 1978. He joined the Oregon National Guard at the age of 17.

Dan was united in marriage to Linda Mitchell July 8, 1978, in Baker. He worked for Baker Builder Supply for 13 years before going to work full-time for the Oregon National Guard in 1990. He had worked in Baker and La Grande before transferring to Hermiston in 1997. Dan was transferred back to La Grande in 2002 where he served as a sergeant 1st class in charge of personnel, although he and his family continued to live in Umatilla. Dan served a tour in Iraq from June 2004 through November 2005 and held the rank of master sergeant.

He enjoyed motorcycles, woodworking, building projects, fishing and music.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Couzens of Umatilla; daughters, Kiya Kalb and her husband, Marty, of Hermiston and Keysha Couzens of Hermiston; father, Charles Couzens of Baker; mother, Clarane Sundin and her husband, Peter, of Baker; sisters, Davon Thompson of Crouch, Idaho, and Rebecca Mitchell of Baker.

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