Waneta May Willoughby

Waneta May Willoughby, age 100, of La Grande, died January 5, 2012 at her home at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Redmond Memorial Cemetery in Redmond, Oregon. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to one's favorite charity in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

Waneta was born on July 4, 1911, the daughter of Fred and Winifred Davis (Lorton) Reich in Alluwe, Nowata County, Oklahoma. The family eventually moved west and settled in Medford, Oregon where she graduated from high school in 1929. She attended Medford Business College for a time before marrying Lewie Robert Willoughby on October 18, 1930 in Medford. Together they had four children and farmed in Medford, Ashland, and Vale Oregon. Waneta taught Sunday School and was actively involved in 4-H programs with her children. She volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol during World War II. Upon retirement, Waneta and Lewie moved to Redmond Oregon where they volunteered for many years for the Meals on Wheels program. They enjoyed hunting and fishing with their family, and celebrated almost 65 years of marriage before his death in 1995. Waneta was instrumental in preserving family history and enjoyed yearly family reunions. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and loved her bible study. She enjoyed collecting recipes, quilting, and watching the Portland Trail Blazers. She moved to La Grande in 1996 to be near her eldest son and his family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewie; daughter Mary Lou Horton; son Bob Willoughby; and siblings, Woodrow Reich, LaVern Reich, Bettie Lue Young, Carl Reich and Jack Reich.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Joan Willoughby of La Grande, daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Howard Bledsoe of Kingsland, Texas, daughter-in-law, Connie Willoughby of Redding, California, son-in-law, Gaylord Horton of Rogue River, Oregon; brother, Cecil Reich of Midland, Michigan; sister, Marjory Chubb of Graeagle, California; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

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