Gertude Fay Mcmahan

Gertrude Fay Hancock McMahan, 95, of La Grande, Oregon, died Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at a local care center. Viewing will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2007 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Faith Center, 10300 South D Street in Island City, Oregon. A private burial service will take place at a later date at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Council, Idaho.

Mrs. McMahan was born September 5, 1911, on a homestead in Indian Valley, Idaho, the youngest of six children to James and Ora Hancock. She went to high school in Council, Idaho, where she met Lester George McMahan. On October 24, 1931, she and Lester, along with Lester's sister, Mildred, and Gertrude's brother, Joe Hancock, eloped to Vale, Oregon, where the two couples were married. The foursome remained the best of friends throughout their lives, and they celebrated 65 anniversaries together.

Four children were born to Gertrude and Lester in Council, Idaho: Beverly, Phyllis, Lyle, and Sandra. Sandra passed away in infancy from whooping cough. Beverly died of cancer in 1990. After moving to La Grande, two more children were born to them; James and John; they lost John shortly after he was born.

Gertrude and Lester operated a creamery together in the Council area until Lester went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1942 in Payette, Idaho. The UPRR job took the family to Huntington, and then to La Grande in the fall of 1945 at the end of World War II. They served in the Ground Observer Corps, spotting and identifying aircraft from atop the Sacajawea Hotel. The McMahans lived in La Grande the rest of their lives. Lester suffered a severe stroke in 1974, and Gertrude was his faithful caregiver for over 25 years. The last five years of Lester's life were spent in a local care facility, and Gertrude visited and supported him there every day. Lester died in 1999.

Gertrude was a lifetime member of the Eagles, and she bowled on the Eagles' team for many years. She participated in the Women's National Bowling Tournament for over 20 years, traveling all over the United States, accompanied by Lester on many of the trips. She was an avid gardener and spent many summer afternoons in her kitchen, canning vegetables and fruit for her family. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidering gifts for her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Larry Mardis, Elgin, Oregon; sons and daughters-in-law, Lyle and Sharlee McMahan, Edmonds, Washington, and Dr. Jim and Rita McMahan, La Grande; Sister-in-law, Lillian Mortensen of St. George, Utah; 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, her parents, her husband, two daughters, and one son. She will always be remembered for being selflessly devoted to her husband and children. Her legacy of caring and service to those around her is well-known in the lives of her family, and she will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice of La Grande in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.