Gene Westberg

Gene Westberg, 88, of Haines, Oregon passed away at his residence in the early morning of January 3, 2017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. There will be a celebration of life held on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Haines United Methodist Church in Haines, Oregon.

Gene was born on May 13, 1928 in Warren, Minnesota to Ted Westberg and Ruth (Swanson) Westberg.

He attended grade school in Warren, Minnesota. In 1942 the family moved to Newberg, Oregon and Gene graduated in 1946 from Sherwood High School in Sherwood, Oregon.

On June 17, 1949, Gene married Bernita (Bonnie) Jeskey in Canby, Oregon and they were blessed with four children; Bob, Kay, Ross, and Eileen.

Following Gene's first job with International Harvester Co. working in the parts depot, he packed mules for the U.S. National Forest Service in Oregon. Afterwards, Gene worked for 15 years for the State of Oregon, in the Department of Agriculture as a livestock brand inspector. In 1978 he left his position as a livestock inspector and moved to Buffalo, Wyoming where he again went to work for the U.S. Forest Service packing mules. Gene retired in 1992 and moved back to Baker City.

Gene was a natural artist. He was a member of the Oregon Trail Art Association, the Oregon Society of Artists, and the Nevada Artists Association Carson City Chapter. He painted a large mural for the Inland Empire Bank in Boardman, Oregon, a mural for the Nazarene Church in Canby, Oregon, 16 dioramas for the Big Horn Wildlife Museum in Buffalo, Wyoming, and a large mural for the Wyoming Longhorn Association. He also has hundreds of paintings and many different sculptures located in many states.

Gene loved the mountains and packing mules. In 2007 he was honorary Grand Marshal for the Hells Canyon Mule Days. Gene also enjoyed driving teams; he was a member of the Old Oregon Trail, Inc., where he was Wagon Master twice.

He is survived by his wife Bernita (Bonnie) of 67 years, daughter Kay and husband Richard Shellito of Baker City, Oregon, son Ross Westberg and Carolyn Rovier of Pendleton, Oregon, and daughter Eileen and husband Arne Widman of Baker City, Oregon. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren; Carla Jean Densley, John Densley and wife Hollie, David Densley, Travis Mayes and wife Holly, Jack Mayes and wife Shelby, Jessica Westberg Preston and husband Ryan, Jamie Westberg Henslee and husband Travis, and Katie Roach and husband Aaron Hoover, five great-grandchildren, one brother Maurice Westberg and wife Susan of Bend, Oregon, brother in-law Jerry Jeskey and wife Barbara of Salem, Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his oldest son Bob Westberg.

Should friends and family desire, contributions may be made to Heart 'n Home Hospice through Gray's West & Co. at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

To light a candle in memory of Gene, please visit: www.grayswestco.com.