Obituary: Mary Ruth Colburn, The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earline Wasser April 2003 ********************************************************************************* Surnames: Colburn, Tolar, Gurtler Mary Ruth Colburn, 74, a resident of The Dalles, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at her home. She was born December 13, 1928, in Echo (Oregon), the second of five children to Empie Ray and Bennie Lee Tolar. She grew up and attended high school in Echo. In 1948, she married Vancil L. Colburn and they continued to make their home in Echo. She worked as a medical records secretary for many years at Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston (Oregon). The couple moved to The Dalles in 1968 and she commuted to work in Hermiston for a number of years before going to work in medical records for Drs. Schwartz and Staver at the orthopedic clinic before retiring. Her husband died in 1999. She was active in several organizations in The Dalles, including B.P.O.Elks Lodge No. 303 Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2126 Auxiliary, The American Legion Auxiliary and Laureate Chapter of the Alpha Nu sorority. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, particularly grandsons Andrew and Ethan Colburn and her many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She loved cooking and trying new recipes. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law David and Cathy Colburn, Cloverdale (Oregon); sister and brother-in-law Louise and Jack Gurtler, Hermiston; brothers and sisters-in-law Joe and Kathy Tolar, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Mick and Susan Tolar, Boardman (Oregon); and Bob and Maria Tolar, Portland; grandchildren, Andrew and Ethan Colburn, Cloverdale. At her request there will be no public services. A family gathering in celebration of her life will be held at a later date in conjunction with the disposition of her ashes. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were by Columbia Cremation & Burial. The Dalles Chronicle March 13, 2003.