ZWEIFEL, Laura K

The Record-Courier 3 Sep 2012 Laura K. Zweifel, 95, died Aug. 24, 2012, at her home in Baker City, Ore., surrounded by family. At her request, the family has planned a private service. Laura was born Sept. 23, 1916, in Hood River, Ore., to Raymond and Ima (Carnes) Asdell. Her father worked for the railroad and they lived in various locations following his work. The family settled in North Powder, Oregon on a ranch where she graduated from North Powder High School. She continued her education at Eastern Oregon Normal School, now Eastern Oregon University. After taking her Civil Service test, she went to work at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. where she met her future husband, Robert Zweifel, who was in the Air Force. They were married on June 12, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, on the Air Force base. In 1945, they moved back to La Grande, Ore., where she worked as a secretary for Albertsons and State Farm Insurance Agency. Laura had many interests and actively participated in several organizations. She started the first PTA at Willow Grade School in La Grande in 1953. She was also a 75-year member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and was active in Eastern Star for over 66 years. She was a 55-year member of Daughters of the Nile, a member of the Rebecca’s Lodge in La Grande, and the White Shrine. In 2003, she moved to Baker City to be close to family. She pursued her activities in the Eastern Star and traveled to the Oregon coast each year for her birthday, where she rented a house with an ocean view and invited family to join her. She loved baking and cooking for family and friends, especially at Christmas. She looked forward to Pinochle games with friends and family, and never cared about the score, as long as everyone was having a good time. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and working outside in her garden. She was especially proud of her roses. Laura was a lively conversationalist and spent many family gatherings chatting up everyone who came by – she was always interested in what her friends and family were doing, and forged a special bond with each of them. Laura will be remembered as a loving parent who greatly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a strong and independent woman who embraced life with joy and love, and lived simply, finding joy in the small things. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Suzen and Jack Fors, of Baker City, Ore.; grandchildren, Elesa Weber and her husband Donovan of Brush Prairie, Wash.; and Mike Fors and his wife, Monica of St. Helens, Ore.; great grandchildren, Austin and Brenden Weber and Wyatt and Ruby Fors. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Robert. Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to the Shrine Transportation Fund or to the charity of your choice. This may be done through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814.