LaRue Brooks

Norma LaRue (Colton) Brooks passed away March 3, 2019 just two days before her 89th birthday at Ashley Manor in Baker City, Oregon. A Celebration of LaRue's Life will be held at the Eagle Valley Cemetery on May 18, 2019 ~11 a.m. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a potluck reception to be held at the New bridge Grange.

LaRue was born March 5, 1930 in Baker City to John & Nora Colton. LaRue was the 11th child of their 15 children and she was the first that was born in a hospital. LaRue grew up in the Keating area on a large ranch that ran cattle and sheep. She graduated from Baker High School in 1948.

She married Stan Brooks on June 1, 1952 at her aunt's home in Richland, OR. Stan & LaRue lived in Richland where they raised their family. She worked numerous jobs throughout her life including helping Stan on the family ranch and dairy, waitress and store clerk.

LaRue loved the mountains, hiking, camping, hunting, picking huckleberries and mushrooms. She was optimistic and loved life to the fullest. She enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting, playing cards and oil painting and was a homemaker extraordinaire. LaRue enjoyed being a member of the snowmobile club and garden club. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family, especially at Tamarack Campground.

She was preceded in death by her husband Stan, parents John and Nora Colton, 7 brothers and 4 sisters, two grandsons, Matt Halley and Rory Huff.

LaRue is survived by her children Gail (Mark) Halley, Steve (Gerri) Brooks, and Rod (Kellie) Brooks; grandchildren Paul (Lynn)Brooks, Ace Huff, Miranda (Kyle) Iwamoto, David Bacus, Christopher and Carla Rhea; great-grandchildren Marti, Trace, Cutter, Grace, Cole and Bryce and her sisters Jean Thompson, Joyce Turner and Gail Stevenson.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of LaRue, the family suggests the Eagle Valley Ambulance through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com