Elizabeth Teresa (Wasageshik) Jordan passed away August 22, 2016 at the Hood River Care Center with family by her side. She was born May 15, 1919 and was 97 at the time of her passing.

Elizabeth was born on Beaver Island, which is located in the Northern part of Lake Michigan to William and Agnes (Bomway) Wasageshik. Her maiden name Wasageshik translates in Chippewa Native American to “Bright Sky”. She was the second of nine children and has been preceded in death by all of her siblings.

Growing up she didn’t have electricity or indoor plumbing, they used kerosene lamps and had an outhouse. She attended the Holy Childhood of Jesus School (Indian School) from 6 years of age to 15 years of age, until she told her parents she wanted to come home. In Michigan she has also lived in Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, East Jordan, St. Ignus, High Island and Garden Island. She has also lived in Los Angeles, Pasadena and Altadena, California before making Hood River her home.

Elizabeth was married and had four children; Mary Ann, Debbie, Wes and Brian. She has had many jobs over the years; working at an orphanage, nursing home and private care. Her favorite job was assembling small electronic parts under a microscope; these electronical panels were placed in transistor radio and televisions. Her hobbies included playing bingo, sewing, crocheting, music, dancing, crossword puzzles and reading (especially magazines and The Oregonian). In 1974 at the age of 55 after her children were grown she went back to school and received her high school diploma.

Elizabeth was able to speak her native language of Odawa fluently. She is a registered member of the “Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians”. She especially enjoyed teaching friends, staff at the Hood River Care Center and Heart of Hospice her American Indian language.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Debbie Medina and husband, Ed of Hood River, Oregon; six grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and other distant family and many friends she has collected over the years. She was preceded in death by her siblings (Julius, Mary, Isabel, Enos, Eva, Bill, Mabel and Edna), three children (Mary Ann, Wes and Brian) and her parents.

Services are planned as follows:
Viewing and Praying of the Rosary
• Sunday August 28, 2016 5pm – 7pm
Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031
Catholic Funeral Mass
• Monday August 29, 2016 10am
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031
Burial
• Immediately following the Mass
Idlewilde Cemetery, 980 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon 97031
Reception
• Immediately following the burial
Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031

Memorial donations can be made in Elizabeth’s name to the Hood River County Library or Heart of Hospice.

Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.