Ivan Andrew

Ivan Elwin Andrew, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Baker City, Oregon on Monday, October 28, 2024. Please join the family at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024 for graveside services with military honors at the Prairie City Cemetery. Friends are also invited to the reception at the Grange Hall immediately following the services.

Ivan was born on May 2, 1932 in La Grande, Oregon to Frederick and Bessie Andrew. He was raised and educated in La Grande. Ivan chose to leave school at a fairly young age to work and take care of his mother (as his father passed away when he was only three years old). Years later, in 1971, he earned his GED to prove to his school-aged kids the importance of an education and finishing school.

Ivan enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952. He served as a gunner mate on the USS McDermott until being honorably discharged in 1956. In 1953 he married Iva VanLeuven in Union, Oregon and together they had four children: Cody, Elaine, Valeria and Duane. Ivan loved the role of father, and later, grandfather. He supported his children and grandchildren in many ways. He also supported their friends and other local kids in Prairie City through the years.

In 1976 Ivan married Eileen and was thrilled to have small children in the home again. Karla and Kyle Andrew were quick to call Ivan “Dad,” and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Ivan loved and cherished all of his children and grandchildren very much. Ivan was the ultimate family man.

During his life, Ivan loved falling timber and was a sawyer for many, many years. He started working for Edward Hines Lumber Company and eventually went on to gypo logging on his own. While Ivan had many occupations through the years (logging, welding, lumber grading, mill righting, long-haul truck driving for USPS), his true love was cutting, splitting, loading and hauling wood in his spare time. In fact, he was delivering wood to the “elderly” well into his 80’s.

Ivan enjoyed the great outdoors to their fullest: hunting, fishing, mining for silver and gold, hiking, camping, bugling elk, hunting for mushrooms and simply driving around in the woods. He was a talented welder and even crafted a very large fire stove for the State Highway Department when he lived and worked in Austin in the 80’s. He also plowed snow for the state in the winter and would take his younger kids and grandkids in the plow in blizzard-like conditions to show them what a cool job he had. Ivan believed in giving back to his community and was a member of the Eagles Club for many years, even serving as President at one time. One of his favorite pastimes was taking his wife Eileen dancing at the Branding Iron Lounge in Prairie City and later at the Lion’s Club, the Elks, the VFW and anywhere else in Baker City offering live music and a dance floor.

Ivan was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sister, Violet; his brother Harold; his granddaughter Wendy Profitt and his son Kyle, at the young age of 9. Ivan was survived by his wife Eileen; his children: Cody (Maryann) Andrew, Elaine (John) Livran, Valeria Andrew (Chuck Cason), Duane (Trace) Andrew,  and Karla Andrew; his 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and eight (8) great, great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the many people who have expressed their condolences over Ivan’s passing. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com