Lois Henderson

Lois Henderson 92, of La Grande, OR died Saturday, March 7, 2020 at home with her family at her side. A traditional graveside service will be held Friday March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Summerville Cemetery in Summerville, OR.  A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Imbler Christian Church.

Lois was born March 30, 1927 in La Grande, OR to parents John and Treasa (Brown) DeFries.

She was raised and educated there along with 13 sisters and 3 brothers.

Lois met her husband Howard Henderson while she was working on the Kennel family farm. They were married on October 28, 1948 and had 7 children together which they raised on the Henderson family farm.

Lois worked various jobs throughout her life. While still in high school she worked for Synden's grocery store until her marriage.  In January 1980 after 31 years of marriage Howard passed away. Lois went back to school and earned her GED. From there she attended business school in La Grande and began a job working for the US Forest Service Experiment Station. Soon after, she moved to Walla Walla, Washington to help her brother take care of their mother.  After her mother passed away, her brother became ill and she took care of him until his death.

Lois cherished spending time with family and doing activities. She enjoyed spending time volunteering at the Union County Senior Center. She loved quilting and enjoyed gardening. In her younger years she played ladies league volleyball and was an active member of the Union Co. Cowbells during the late 60's early 70's.

She will be remembered for her value as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We will miss her homemade ice cream and Holiday caramel corn and all the treats she made at Christmas. It brought great joy to all.

Lois is survived by her daughters Peggy Tuma of Seattle, WA, Linnea (Rick) Denis of Imbler, OR; sons Steve Henderson of Imbler, OR, David (Pam) Henderson of La Grande, OR, and Andy (Julie) Henderson of Cove, OR; 10 grand children and 10 great grand children; sisters Pat Sansburn, Myrtle Halley, Reba Moore, Frieda Beach, Roxa Isitt, Joyce Walker and Marcheta Ingstrom; special niece Durinda (Ron) Henderson Mann.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard; son Dan and daughter Patty Henderson; grandsons Daniel and Jared Henderson; brothers John, Charles, and Delbert DeFries; sisters Helen Kenneda, Nadine Wood, Donna Weber, Judy Gilbert, Wanda Allison, and Barbara Ackerman.

 For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Lois, the family suggests either Doernbecher Children's Hospital or Grande Ronde Hospice through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com