KOONS, Shirley Fannie

Shirley Fannie (Pritchard) Koons 74, a long time resident of Maupin, Ore., and former resident of Rock Creek near Haines, Ore., passed away at her home on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Shirley was born April 16, 1938 at Baker, Ore., the fourth of four children of Hustes Guy and Thelma Esther (Fisher) Pritchard. She grew up on the family farm near Haines, a community she dearly loved. She attended schools at Rock Creek and Muddy Creek and graduated from Baker High School in 1956. She was active in 4-H. She did sewing, cooking, knitting. sheep, beef, and rabbits for around 9 years which she exhibited at the Baker County Fair every year. She also belonged to Rainbow Girls. Following high school, she moved to Portland, Oregon where she met and then married Richard Koons on June 30, 1957, and years later in 1980 they were divorced. They have four children, DeAnna Reckmann, Douglas Koons, DeNise LaFollette, and DeOra Patton. The family travels took them to Washington, California, and then back to Oregon, where they settled in Maupin in 1967. Shirley was a loving and caring mother and grandmotherr. She helped support the family working at various places in Maupin as waitress, store clerk, and school office aide. In 1980, she began a career at the Mount Hood National Forest Service, Barlow Ranger District, as purchasing agent and personnel clerk and retired twenty-three years later in 2003. She is survived by children DeAnna (Donald) Reckmann of Maupin, Douglas Koons of Maupin, DeNise LaFollette of Portland, and DeOra (Don) Patton of Maupin; her grandchildren Katrina (James) Messner, Rachael Reckmann, Charity Reckmann, Daniel Hibbitts, Richard Koons, William (Sheena) LaFollette, Tina (Jeremy) LaFollette, Ricky (Jody) LaFollette, and DeVin (Brittney) Patton; her great grandchildren Samantha Reckmann Messner, Cody Messner, Isabella Messner, Saleen Hibbitts, Ariana Hibbitts, Sophia Hibbitts, Trystan Hibbitts, Joseph LaFollette, Alexis LaFollette, Christain Rosenburg, Tanner Rosenburg, Jacob Applebee, Nathan LaFollette, Jesse LaFollette, and Dylen Patton; her sister Esther VanOrtwick of Portland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. She was preceded in death by her Father and Mother , Brother Hustes Guy “Sunny” Pritchard Jr., Sister Norna (Pritchard) Averett, and Daughter-in-Law Tamara (Wenz) Koons. A graveside service was held Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the Haines Cemetery with a potluck following at the Haines Methodist Church. A memorial service and potluck was also held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at the Maupin American Legion Hall. Donations may be made to Providence Hospice of the Gorge. The Record-Courier 22 October 2012