Vera Wetzel Hearing

Vera Wetzel Hearing, age 84, of Island City, died Friday, June 13, 2003 at her home.

At her request there will be no viewing, she wants to be remembered as she was. A gathering for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 20, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at the La Grande Elks Lodge. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Hearing was born in Pendleton, Oregon to Lewis I. and Floy (Wells) Wetzel on April 15, 1919. She attended Riveria Grade School, La Grande High School, Eastern Oregon Normal School and Drapers School of Commerce. She married Ross Hearing on September 5, 1975 in Newport, Oregon.


Mrs. Hearing enjoyed reading, gardening, golf and bridge. She at one time headed the Red Cross Blood Drawings. She worked for Consolidated Freightways. For two years she served as President of the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the La Grande Country Club where she was President of the Women's Auxiliary for two years and has the distinction of being President of the entire Golf Club. She was the first woman to hold this office and none have since.


She is survived by her beloved son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Sandy Babic of La Grande; step-daughters, Elizabeth Oliver of Enterprise, Oregon and Sylvia Hearing of Portland; granddaughter, Megan Oliver of Enterprise; sister, Floy Matthews of Beaverton; special brother-in-law, Virgil A. Choate, nephew, Brent Lewis of La Grande and many other relatives. She had a multitude of friends and belonged to several birthday and bridge clubs. Her husband died in April of 2000 and two sisters preceded her in death, Louise Choate and Virginia Lewis.


Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Hearing to the Grande Ronde Hospital Hospice, PO Box 3290, La Grande, Oregon 97850.