Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Ed Justesen, Grass Valley, Ore., passed away on Jan. 11, 2017, at Mid Columbia Medical Center with loving family by his side. He was 84.
He was born on March 12, 1932, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., to Harry Justesen and Ellen Docker. He graduated from Moro High School in 1950. Ed served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from 1955-57.
In 1961 he married the love of his life, Mary Ann McKay. They lived together in Kent, Ore., until they moved to Grass Valley, Ore., in the summer of 1968, where they raised their three children. Grass Valley remained their home for the next 48 years.
Ed spent his career helping farmers, working as a farm co-op employee.
In the early years he delivered farm chemicals for Grass Valley Grain Growers. He was a dedicated longtime employee who witnessed a few company mergers and name changes over the years and, ultimately, retired as a truck driver for Mid-Columbia Producers. He believed in service to community and was a life member of the Masonic Lodge, a long time member of the Sherman County Lions Club and other service organizations over the years. As a young man, Ed had a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He was a supportive father, volunteering through all the stages of his children’s athletic years, beginning with coaching and organizing Little League to running the chains at the high school football games.
Ed is preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Ann. Survivors include daughter Deb Miller, East Wenatchee, Wash.; son Jeff Justesen (Dawn), The Dalles, Ore.; son Joe Justesen (Dionne), Wasco, Ore.; mother-in-law Mary Fields, The Dalles, Ore.; and six extremely loved grandchildren; April, Laura, William, Maggie, Jacob and Jaelyn.
A memorial service followed by a potluck will be held March 11, 2017, at 3 p.m. at the Grass Valley Pavilion.
The family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Sherman County Athletic Foundation, Sherman County Lions Club, or Sherman County Senior Center.
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