Elvamae E. (Ontko) Lewis

Elvamae E. (Ontko) Lewis, age 99, of La Grande, passed away at Kadlec Medical Center, Richland, Washington on Thursday, November 2, 2012, of complications from pneumonia and congestive heart failure. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

Elvamae was born July 17, 1913 to Grover and Agnes Keeton on the homestead at Mitchell, Oregon. She was the first child in a family of five siblings. She outlived her parents, sisters, Oma Hagerty, Velma (Ammons) Monroe, Wilbur Keeton and Robert Keeton. She attended and graduated from Prineville, Oregon schools. She married Tom Ontko in 1940. They moved to La Grande in 1950. Tom Ontko passed away in May of 1961. She worked at J.C. Penny's for serveral years before working at Melvilles Gift Store where she met Nylic Lewis. Elvamae married Nylic in November of 1971. Mr. Lewis passed away in January 1984. She enjoyed working in her yard, sewing, crocheting and knitting. She liked to paint and was always cleaning. She sewed quilt tops for Zion Lutheran Church. She liked to fish and go camping.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Weldon Gorham of Benton City, Washington; step-son and his wife, Brent and Susan Lewis of La Grande; step-son, Brian Lewis of Hermiston; step-daughter, Susan Kubler of Portland; grandchildren, Kristi Valdez and husband Jim of Benton City, Washington, Linda Liikala and husband, Terry of Richland, Washington, Nicole Lewis of Spokane, Washington, Ginny Flowers of Klamath Falls, Oregon; great grandchildren, Brittney and Derrick Valdez of Benton City, Washington, Sheldon and Paige Liikala of Richland, Washington; sisters-in-law, Nelda Keeton of The Dalles, Oregon and Mildred Keeton of Madras, Oregon; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande, Oregon.

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