Miriam Omann

Miriam Omann, 97, of Halfway, Oregon died on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Meadowbrook Assisted Living in Baker City, Oregon.

Miriam was born to Harold and Agnes Moritz in 1927 in Flagstaff, Arizona. She was an only child and in the isolated area where she was raised, her dog was her close companion. Her father once gave her the option of having a bicycle or a horse. An easy choice for Miriam; she chose the horse. She never did learn to ride a bicycle! When she was in her mid teens, her parents moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where she attended high school. It was there she met her husband to be, Joe Omann. After Joe was discharged from the Army they married in April 1946.Their first child, Paul was born the following March followed by Julie, Tom, Steve, Dan, Mark and Brian. What a challenge to manage such a large family but manage she did. Times were lean and Joe used to say Miriam could squeeze a nickel (Indian head) until the Indian was riding the buffalo on the other side.

Miriam was diminutive in size only, there was a lot packed into that small frame topped with red hair. She liked to be doing things and loved to ride her horses to gather cattle or just ride with friends in the surrounding mountains and hills. She seemed happiest on the back of a horse or camping with family and friends. She and Joe went on many campouts and travels with close friends. She also enjoyed hiking and on one outing she hiked into McGraw Creek cabin in the rain with son, Steve who was on spring break. They spent the night and in the morning woke to find themselves surrounded by elk.

She had a subtle sense of humor and once told her son Mark, “don’t get married and tell your kids to do the same!”

When her youngest son Brian married, Dad and Mom attended, Mom with a broken arm and leg after an accident. She and Joe traveled from Oregon to Iowa, Miriam using a wheelchair to get through airports when that was not such common practice. She wanted to be there to welcome Brian’s new wife into the family.

Miriam was quietly resilient and had a toughness that kept her going. She had an adventurous spirit; whatever she did she had her mission and walked headlong into it. How else could she have managed seven children, some of whom were a bit rowdy in their younger years. She loved her children and supported them in her own quiet way.

She went quietly about life without complaint for the challenges, of which there were various. Hard work was her mainstay raising her children and beyond. She was a quiet listener whether the topic was of personal interest or not. She was the example many of the community admired and appreciated.

Miriam is survived by her seven children, seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is at long last free and for this we celebrate her departure. Nevertheless, a hollow exists in each of our hearts…you are missed, Mom!

Miriam died on Sunday, June 15, 2025.  A Graveside – Celebration of Miriam’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway, Oregon.  Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to beheld immediately following at the Pine Valley Grange.  For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Miriam, may do so to Jacob’s Dream through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com