Wana Ruth Hempe

Wana Ruth Hempe, age 94, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died March 4, 2016 at her home. A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande. A memorial service will take place later in Hermiston. Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to the Country Church in Hermiston. Contributions should be forwarded to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

Wana was born to George and Mabel Strain on March 9, 1921. She was raised in La Grande and attended Riveria grade school and graduated from La Grande High Sschool. She married Liguori Hempe in August of 1940. A year later her son, Tony was born. Four years later a daughter, Georgia, was born.

Wana worked hard on the family farm and raising her two children. The farm was later sold and Wana worked in a small grocery store for several years. She worked a number of years in a meat packing plant. Later she worked in housekeeping at the Grande Ronde Hospital for a number of years before she retired. She loved to travel and accompanied her daughter on a number of cruises to various countries. Wana made the best decision of her life when she was nearly 90 years old: she surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him all her final days. She wrote poems, crocheted, and loved rock hounding.

She is survived by her son, Tony and wife, Margaret of Hermiston; daughter, Georgia Eckroth and husband, Ron, of Olympia, Washington; four grandchildren, Raymond and Brett Arbogast, Pamela Borden and Marc Hempe and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by her loyal and faithful 'grand-pup' Gigi. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991 and brothers Elton and Teddy Barron and sister, Thelma Smutz.

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