VANDERHOOF, OrMEDA E., February 22, 1915 – March 3, 2008

OrMeda E. Vanderhoof passed away on March 3, 2008 in McMinnville, Oregon. She was 93 years old. Born in Malad, Idaho on February 22, 1915, she was the daughter of Reuben M. and Hannah M. (Tippets) Williams. She married Vernell Vanderhoof in 1931 in Malad.

They moved to Oregon in 1939 to participate in a government program for farming families hard hit by the Great Depression. They settled in McMinnville, Oregon in 1943. In addition to bringing up a family, she worked for Home Laundry Dry Cleaners and Diane Foods in McMinnville.

She had a large part in raising three of her grandchildren from 1960 till her daughter re-married in 1968, and quite often said “My grandchildren were the best part of my life”. Her grandchildren, likewise feel the same about her, and let her know that she was the best grandmother anyone could ever have.

She had a very common sense way of looking at things and as such, was a rebel (and proud of it) on many subjects. Although she was an amazing cook, she didn’t piece between meals and her favorite place to eat was KFC. She loved dark chocolate.

She learned embroidery while recovering from a childhood bout with diphtheria. Later, she taught herself to knit and crochet and dabbled in painting and a variety of other creative pursuits. She sewed clothes for herself, her children and her seven grandchildren, but her mainstay was most certainly quilting.

She very much enjoyed gardening in her yard and could grow anything. She could pick a flower while out walking, come home, stick it in the ground and it would grow. She also loved bird figurines, statuettes and drawings and had quite an extensive collection.

OrMeda was a member of the McMinnville Quilting Group and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by a daughter, Vonda LaVoie of Tigard, along with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1997 and by a son, Oakley.