Margaret "Edna" Jones

Margaret "Edna" Jones, age 90, of La Grande, died August 27, 2012 at her home on the farm. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in La Grande. Committal and interment will follow at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.


Edna was born on December 24, 1921, the daughter of Edward D. Jasper and Margaret Florence (McDonald) Jasper in La Grande. She grew up on the family farm on Booth lane. Edna and her siblings would ride together on one horse to attend Valeria, a one room school. In winter they traveled by horse and sleigh to school. Edna enjoyed traveling with her dad to big cities to deliver his "Jasper's Health Nuggets" cereal. Edna and her family were musically gifted. Edna played violin in the Eastern Oregon Symphony. She also played piano, entertaining guests at Crater Lake. She worked at JC Pennys and Sinden's Grocery (Wayne's Market). Edna graduated from La Grande High School and earned her teaching certificate from Eastern Oregon Normal School. She taught school in Wasco, North Powder and Island City. Edna journeyed to New Orleans where her college sweetheart, John Thomas "Bud" Jones was stationed with the United States Marine Corps. They married November 6, 1943. They also lived in Dallas, Texas, Jacksonville, Florida and Cherry Point, North Carolina. After the war they returned to La Grande to work the Jasper Farm, which is now a Century Farm in Union County.


Edna taught Sunday school and was the longest attending member of the Presbyterian Church. She was president of the Union County Historical Society. She enjoyed reading, history, genealogy, gardening and being a homemaker. Her children and grandchildren were her passion.

Survivors include her husband, Bud Jones of La Grande; children, John Thomas "Tom" Jones (Diane) of Tigard, Rod Jones (Carolyn) of Spokane, Brian Jones of La Grande, Doug Jones of Walla Walla and Shirley Cornford (Emmitt)of La Grande; sister, Jean Dawson of Joseph; fourteen grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by brother, Donald Jasper DVM PhD; at the University of California-Davis and sister, Mary Jasper Johnson of Salem.


Those who wish, may make contributions to the the Back Pack Program, Union County Historical Society or the Eastern Oregon Celtic Society in care of Daniels~Knopp, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

.