Ina Sturdivant Lassen passed away on June 27, 2008 in Parkdale, Oregon.
Ina was born November 12, 1915 in Ukiah, Oregon to Carl and Muriel (Martin) Sturdivant. She was the eldest of two daughters. Ina spent her childhood in Eastern Oregon. She graduated from Stanfield High School where she was a star basketball and tennis player. Ina also played the piano. She came to Hood River as a young adult jointing other Sturdivant family members.
In 1942 she married John William "Bill" Lassen at Fort Lewis, Washington. Bill served in the United States Army during World War II in the Aleutian Islands. During that time Ina returned to Parkdale. Ina joined Bill in Mississippi where he finished his military career. They returned to Parkdale and built their home on Culbertson Drive. Bill also observed that Ina was one of the hardest working people he had ever known. If anyone needed help, she was there. She helped her father reroof the barn on Culbertson Road. She helped nurse her father-in-law back to health and he credited her with saving his life. She raised 200 chickens a year for many years for her family. She hand spread fertilizer in the orchard among other jobs. She worked several seasons at Duckwall-Pooley and AGA in Parkdale. She baked pies for many years to sell in the lunchroom at Duckwall-Pooley in Parkdale. She always said the guys met her at the door and asked what she had baked each day; hoping it was chocolate.
Ina and Bill lived in Parkdale; farming and raising their family for the past 66 years. In addition to working on the farm and raising three children Ina had many creative pursuits. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, jewelry making, card making and ceramics. According to her husband "she was a wonderful cook". Ina participated many years with her family in the Parkdale Fourth of July Celebration. This included building floats and organizing the community church food booth. She also arranged flowers on occasion for the church. She also enjoyed camping, picking huckleberries, her garden and playing bridge. Ina spent many creative hours with her grandchildren sharing her skills and they in turn enjoyed her companionship.
Ina and bill traveled and had taken cruises to; the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. One fall she drove the farm truck to deliver their fruit to Duckwall-Pooley in order to save enough money for a trip to Europe.
She loved to sit on her porch during a thunderstorm reminiscent of growing up in eastern Oregon. Ina also enjoyed the view of the east hills from her Parkdale home. She marveled each spring of all the shades of green when traveling along the Gorge. Ina possessed an incredible sense of humor. In spite of all her pain she could smile until the very end.
Ina is survived and will be dearly missed by; her husband of 66 years, John William "Bill" Lassen at their Parkdale, Oregon home; three children, Ann Plaster, Michael Lassen and Charlene (& Ron) Rivers; twelve grandchildren, Carla, Holli, Neal, Kris, John, Michelle, Aaron, Tanya, Heidi, Mike, Ina and Maggie; thirteen great grandchildren, Sarah, Tony, Brant, Sophie, Nick, Courtney, Mitchell, Keely, Henna, Leo, Madison, Samantha and Kenzie; six great great grandchildren, Alex, Andrea, Andrew, Kylan, Olivia and Conner; other distant family and many friends.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brother-in-law George Moose and son-in-law Ralph Plaster.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Parkdale Fire Department and sent care of Anderson's.
A memorial gathering will be announced at a later time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Please visit our website to view and print the obituary and sign the family guest book.