Wadean Modell Holcomb Obituary (1921 - 2017)

Wadean Modell Rohner Holcomb a Baker County resident for over 90 years entered into rest January 12th, 2017 at the age of 95 at Ashley Manor Living Facility with her family at her bedside. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Richland Christian Church in Richland, Oregon with Pastor Gordon Bond officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland with a reception following at the church Fellowship Hall. Wadean was born May 1st, 1921 in Wingville, Oregon to William Henry Rohner and Bertha Tanner Rohner. She was raised in Wingville where she learned her hard work ethic on the family farm which included many outdoor tasks including milking the cows and tending the chickens. She married George Noble Holcomb on July 12, 1942 in Wingville. They resided at the Holcomb Ranch in Richland, Oregon where they operated a sheep ranch that later became a full time cattle ranch. Wadean contributed to the ranch by being a homemaker, which included preparing meals for the lambing crews, keeping a plentiful garden and preserving the harvest. Wadean attended Baker High School and Baker Business College. She studied Home Economics at Oregon State College (now OSU) for two years. She was a member of Baker County Garden Club and Order of Eastern Star, Esther Chap 11. She was blessed with a keen mind until recent years. Her many interests included her love of gardening and cooking. She was patriotic. The respect and honor she demonstrated to our US Military was without waver. In 2012, Wadean's wish materialized as the John Holcomb Memorial Park was dedicated in Richland, Oregon. She had a great love of Baker County and considered it "God's country". Wadean lived through the depression during her early life and that helped to form her conservative frugal nature and the ideology of saving for a rainy day that she practiced daily. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two sons John Noble and William "Bill" Dean. Wadean is survived by her sister Gloria Linebaugh of Bend, daughter-in-law Wanda Holcomb of Richland, three granddaughters Shannon (Marin) Miller, Gloria (Carlos) Montes, Christy Holcomb and 6 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Eagle Valley Ambulance or a charity of choice through Gray's West & Co. at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.