Grabenhorst Obituaries

Jean Morrison Grabenhorst
June 2,1917 - October 23, 2003

SALEM - Jean Grabenhorst, widow of prominent Salem businessman and Civic leader Coburn L. Grabenhorst Sr. passed on Thurs., Oct. 23, just 31 days after her beloved twin and great friend June Sigler Gordon.

She was born in Walla Walla, Wash. being the first of three daughters and two sons of Harriet Maiden Morrison and Albert John Morrison.

Known as a tom-boy with her twin, she graduated from Wa-Hi in 1935 and the University of Washington in 1939. A member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, she met her future husband Coburn L. Grabenhorst, at the University of Washington, and they were married on Coburn’s 2-day Naval leave Jan. 17, 1942 in a double ceremony with her twin, June and Robert Joseph Sigler.

A dental hygienist during the war, and loving and caring homemaker thereafter, she and Cobe had two sons, Coburn Jr. and Geoffrey Lee in 1945 and 1946.

Her many activities included Gray Ladies, Assistance League of Salem, YMCA swim team, while maintaining an elegant home and gardens, and having an active social life with family and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her son, Geoffrey in 1992 and her husband, Cobe in 1999. Her son, Cobe Jr. and nephew, Craig Sigler (June’s son) and niece Nancy Young (her sister Pat’s daughter) were holding her hands when she slipped away peacefully yesterday. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Morrison and wife Kay; her sister, Patricia Young Edwards of Walla Walla, Wash. and six nieces and nephews.

“A true Lady whose character was exemplified by the rare combination of great dignity and compassion for others.”

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 25 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. Private inurnment with husband and son will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. For those of you who wish to honor her, the family suggest a contribution to the George H. Grabenhorst Memorial Scholarship Fund at Willamette University, or the John Mistkawi Fund at the Salem YMCA. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.

Danna Grabenhorst Hammer
May 15, 1949 - July 23, 2002

PORTLAND - Danna Grabenhorst Hammer died Tuesday.

She was born in Salem to Richard and Jeannebelle Grabenhorst. She attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Leslie and Judson middle schools, and South Salem High School. After two years at Colorado Women’s College, she transferred to Oregon State University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Microbiology.

She lived in Colorado for five years before returning to Oregon, where she married Thomas Hammer in 1980. They raised two sons, Josh (27) and Jake (24), and a daughter, Dani (21), all of Portland.

Danna was accomplished at swimming, skiing, water-skiing, and bowling. She enjoyed gardening, art, music, theater, and travel. She was an avid reader and a volunteer parent for many youth activities, including Sunset Park Little League and Portland Urban Tour group. In recent years, Danna enjoyed bird watching at her Devils Lake vacation house, boating activities, and beach walks. Before that, the family enjoyed ski trips to Bend, where they formerly had a condo.

She is survived by her husband and children; sister, Gina Fry of Vancouver, Wash.; and brothers, Rick, John and Thom, all three of Salem.

Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday, July 29 at St. Clare Catholic Church, 8535 SW 19th St in Portland. A wake will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Mission Mill Dye House in Salem. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service in Salem. Remembrances may be made to the Grabenhorst Scholarship Fund at Willamette University.

Jeanne Burrell Grabenhorst

June 13, 1923 - March 24, 2002

SALEM - Jeanne Burrell Grabenhorst died Sunday morning in her home. JeanneBelle, as she was affectionately known, was born June 13, 1923 in Salem to Frances and Edward H. Burrell. She attended the University of Oregon, where she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority.

She married Richard E. Grabenhorst on May 12, 1946; he passed away on April 20, 1995.

JeanneBelle loved to play tennis and was a worthy opponent. She also enjoyed going to the beach, where she had a home in Neskowin, and also the mountains, where she formerly had a home at Black Butte Ranch. She was an enthusiastic art and music lover, and was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Salem.

JeanneBelle, who had a zest for life and a lifelong interest in learning, possessed a keen sense of humor, and had an infectious laugh. She was interested in a wide range of subjects, and was an avid reader.

Paramount in her life was her family. She is survived by her children, Rick and Beryl Grabenhorst of Salem, Danna and Tom Hammer of Portland, Jon Grabenhorst of Sisters, Gina and Josh Fry of Vancouver, Wash., and Thom Grabenhorst of Salem; grandchildren, Josh, Jake and Dani Hammer of Portland, Jenny Fry of Seattle, Wash., and D.J. and Cody Grabenhorst of Pullman, Wash.; and sister, Pat Burrell Slanchik of Port Orchard, Wash. Her four brothers, Fred, Jim, Bill and Bob Burrell, preceded her in death.

Services will be private. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service in Salem. Contributions may be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, 2700 Market St. NE, Salem, OR 97301, or the Grabenhorst Scholarship Fund at Willamette University, 900 State St., Salem, OR 97301.