Kenneth Robert Botzau

Kenneth Robert Botzau passed away at his home in Imbler on Sunday, November 6, 2005. He was born April 8, 1934 in Marinette, Wisconsin to Loran Harry and Myrtle Ruth (Nicklaus) Botzau. Ken served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 and was a member of the Oregon National Guard until 1996. He moved to Oregon in 1962 where he found work as a logger and construction worker. In 1974 he began work for the Union County Public Works Department where he retired as an equipment operator in 1996.
Ken loved the Grande Ronde Valley and took an avid interest in the outdoors including hunting, fishing, wood-cutting, ranching and helping his family and friends with various projects. His love of the valley often took him out on rides, always with his dog and occasionally also with his wife and mother-in-law. Ken also loved to read books about the history of the area he so loved and stories of pioneers, mountain men and the like. He often remarked that he even felt as though he may have been born a hundred years too late. He had also been involved with different activities including the Eagles and Elks Lodges of La Grande and the IOOF of Summerville.
Ken deeply loved his family and had many friends. He is survived by his wife, Edwina Botzau; son, Kent (Deana) Coppinger of Summerville; son, John (Linda) Mola of Crescent City, California; daughter, Kate Botzau of Hawaii; brother, Loren (Monica) Botzau of Peshtigo, Wisconsin; grandson, Justin (Heather) Coppinger of Liberty Lake, Washington; granddaughter, Tara (Jeremy) Riggle of Moscow, Idaho; great grandchildren, Trayse and Mercedes Riggle and Brooklynn Coppinger. Ken also has many cousins, nieces and nepehews.
Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Ken to the GRH Hospice, Imbler School 4-H, Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation or Mountain States Tumor Institute in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.