Violet "Louise" Parker Dodson

Violet Louise Parker Dodson, 101, of North Powder, passed away on July 21, 2005. Services will be held at the North Powder Community Church at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Robin Harris of the Cornerstone Baptist Church officiating. Graveside services will follow at the North Powder Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mrs. Dodson was born to pioneer parents, Thomas Henry and Violet (Kelsey) Parker on January 30, 1904 on an Anthony Creek ranch that is now the ODFW Elk Feeding station. Born in the middle of a blizzard and weighing only 2 lbs., it was surmised "that she wouldn't be long for this world." Her father, the first forest ranger in the North Powder District and her strong pioneer mother, fostered a love for the mountains and the outdoors that she cherished her entire life. She attended grade school at Mt. Caramel until her father's death in 1916. Louise, brother Gifford and her mother Violet then moved to one of the family farms located closer to North Powder. She attended and graduated from North Powder School in 1921. Deciding that teaching would be her career she attended college in Monmoth, OR, and Corvallis, OR and completed her degree at Eastern Oregon College. While teaching at Mt. Caramel she met the love of her life, Harold Dodson. They farmed and worked in the Powder Valley until Louise began a long and successful teaching career in Vale, OR returning to North Powder during the summers. Mrs. Dodson taught for 17 years in Vale and 2 years in Juntura, OR. She and Harold retired to North Powder in 1971 to enjoy camping, traveling, fishing and spending time with family. After Mr. Dodson's death in 1975, Louise continued to enjoy life to the fullest. She actively traveled, camped, picked huckleberries and played pinochle with friends to the very end. Mrs. Dodson loved to paint, write poetry, sew and grow bountiful gardens for all to enjoy. She was active in many community activities and was the "bookkeeper" for the senior meals. She had an incredible zest for life and an immense love for her family, always asking "how could she be so lucky?" Louise spent many hours teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren the joys of the outdoors. She has truly left a heritage and a legacy for the lives she touched. Her knowledge of the history of the Powder Valley was impeccable and was captured in a local historical journal. She was a true matriarch of her family and she will forever be missed.

Mrs. Dodson is survived by her children:, son Don Dodson and wife Jessie, and daughter Joy Harrod and husband Howard both of North Powder, and son Dale Dodson and wife Shirley of Baker City, grandchildren; Sandra Richelderfer, of Wasco, Oregon, Cheryl Martin and Janet Dodson of North Powder, Randy Dodson of Baker City, Gayleen Dodson of Boise, Idaho, Richy Harrod of Cashmere, Washington, and Ron Harrod of Clackamas, Oregon, 9 great-grandchildren, and 4 great, great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the North Powder Community Center Fund in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.