This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Quetschke, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5290/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Times Newport, OR 97365 Posted: Wednesday, Mar 10th, 2010 Vernon C. Quetschke Vernon C. Quetschke, 84, died Feb. 22, 2010 from complications after surgery. He was born Dec. 5, 1925 to William and Estella Quetschke, the second of four children. He was raised on the family homestead on Woods Creek in Philomath where his sister still resides today. He attended school in Philomath and at age 16 began working at a local sawmill. He then served in the Navy until his honorable discharge in July 1945. It was while stationed at Alameda, Calif. that he met his future wife, Betty, who was also stationed there. They married on Dec. 15, 1945, and he returned to the sawmill occupation. They moved to Harlan in 1949, where they raised their four children and lived for the next 61 years. It was at this time he became the millwright at the 3-G Company’s Harlan Sawmill and held that position for the next 35 years, until the mill’s closure in 1984. He was a “jack of all trades” at the mill, performing the duties of an electrician, plumber and everything else that needed to be done to ensure the mill’s operation. For a few years after the mill closed, he worked for Thompson Timber Company as a dump truck driver and a grade operator. His hobbies included bowling, fishing, hunting, camping, card games, sudoku puzzles and an occasional visit to the casino. In his later years, he enjoyed feeding and watching all different kinds of birds. One thing he was very good at and enjoyed doing was taking an idea and moving it step by step through the process until it was finished and working perfectly. One of his lifelong passions was the annual family elk-hunting trip to eastern Oregon. He didn’t miss a single season - last fall was his 57th consecutive year to the same area he first started at. He thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the trip. He had things he believed in and rules he thought a person should live by, but he didn’t preach or judge those who felt differently. He just went about his life by setting a great example. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Betty; his brother, Virgil; and his sister, Helen. He is survived by daughter, Sharon (Gary) of Siletz; sons, Mike (Ginger) of Albany, Randy (Jackie) of Burnt Woods, and Mitchell (Ashley) of Harlan; sister, Ethel; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held on Feb. 26 at Twin Oaks Cemetery in Albany, Ore. Twin Oaks Funeral Home in Albany handled arrangements. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.