Lola Sarah Young

Lola Sarah Young, 93, passed away October 8th at a local care facility. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Committal and interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.

Lola was born November 12, 1910 to William and Sarah Banton in La Grande. The youngest of seven children, she was raised on the Banton farm in Ladd Canyon and attended the Ladd Canyon School before graduating from La Grande High School.

Lola's father was born at Lone Tree in 1866 and was one of the early pioneer family children to be born in Union County. Her mother came across the Oregon Trail as a young girl. Lola remembered when Native Americans would come to the Valley to gather camas root and visit their farm. The current Ladd Canyon Rest Area is located on the former Banton homestead. The original tool shop and restored water wheel is displayed at the westbound rest area.

Lola married Frank Young on October 25, 1931 and they lived on their fruit orchard in Mt. Glen for 50 years before moving to La Grande in 1984. For many years the Young Orchard was the largest cherry producer in northeast Oregon.

Knitting and crocheting were Lola's favorite hobbies and she enjoyed crafting afghans for the family. She also made and donated crocheted baby blankets for newborns at the Grande Ronde Hospital.

Lola was a charter member of the KD Club (Kind Deeds Club) that was started in 1923, and still meets. She made lasting friendships with these ladies and spoke fondly of their projects and social gatherings. In later years, Lola and her good friend Jeanne Ball enjoyed many tours with Helen Drill and her son, Doug. They especially enjoyed trips to Hawaii and the Oregon coast. She always enjoyed driving and sightseeing. She drove her car until her late 80's and was proud to say she had never had a traffic ticket.

Lola loved telling jokes and stories and was always ready with a smile. While she was staying at Janet Williams' foster care home, her interest in crafts was renewed and she did several ceramic projects.

Lola was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts, and the First Church of Christ, Scientist in La Grande.

Lola is survived by her two sons and their wives, Jerry and Arlene Young and Dale and Peggy Young; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, Frank, passed away in 1984.

Many of Lola's memories and experiences of her life have been recorded and published as a part of the Oral History of Union County, Oregon History Project.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or the Eastern Oregon University Foundation in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.