Thordis "Maggie" Matilda Whittemore

Thordis "Maggie" Matilda Whittemore, age 91, of La Grande and formerly of Elgin, died Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church. Committal and interment will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Whittemore was born on July 5, 1913, the daughter of John and Emily (Ausland) Henjum in Hoffman, Minnesota, where she was raised and educated. She attended Morehead State College for two years and became a teacher in a one room school house in Minnesota. In June of 1938 she married Charles K. Whittemore, Sr. They came to Union County in April of 1953. She finished her college education at Eastern Oregon University and she taught Third Grade at Stella Mayfield Grade School in Elgin for over 30 years.

Mrs. Whittemore was a longtime member of the Zion Lutheran Church and a proud member of the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. She was also a member of the Knife and Fork Club and the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary. She was very active with the Elgin Stampeders and was Grand Marshall of the parade at one time. She loved flowers and flower gardening. She also loved people and enjoyed visiting with anyone and helping others when needed.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Charles K. and Deirdre Whittemore of Portland, Wesley J. and Lynn Whittemore of Meridian, Idaho and Noel and Valerie Whittemore of La Grande; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sister, Vivian Gruber of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and other relatives and friends. Her husband preceded her in death in June of 1970. A sister, Signe, also preceded her in death.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Whittemore to the Devers Eye Institute, Good Samaritan Medical Building, 1040 NW 22nd Ave., 2nd Floor Portland, OR 97210 to help with research on macular degeneration or to the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary, PO Box 3290, La Grande, Oregon 97850.