Shirley E. Hiatt

Shirley E. Hiatt, age 78 of La Grande, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at a local care center. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande with the Reverend Mark Schlessman officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Shirley E. Hiatt was born on October 13, 1926, the daughter of Horace and Helen (Broxson) Hart in Walla Walla, Washington. Mrs. Hiatt spent most of her earlier years in Prescott, Washington before moving to Milton-Freewater where she attended school and graduated with the class of 1944. After high school Shirley married her school sweet heart, Clark Hiatt on July 6, 1945 in Boca Raton, Florida. Together the couple traveled the world, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, Canada, and to Mount Rushmore to name a few. Shirley worked in banking and as a secretary. She and Clark moved to La Grande in 1952. Mrs. Hiatt was an accomplished violinist and offered lessons to many; she was a concert master of the Grande Ronde Symphony and worked for Dr. Rhodes Lewis in his music store and 20 years for the Oregon Highway Department before her retirement in January of 1988. Mrs. Hiatt was a member the First Christian Church. She enjoyed music, fishing, sewing, computers and traveling.


Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Clark Hiatt of La Grande, Oregon; children and their spouses, Richard and Barbara Hiatt of Beaverton, Oregon and David Hiatt and Jerri Richardson of Enterprise, Oregon; sister, Denise Breen of Spokane, Washington; grandchildren, Jeff Hiatt, Cody Hiatt, Derek Hiatt and Molly Hiatt and other relatives and friends.


Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Shirley E. Hiatt to the Shriners or the First Christian Church in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.