Clifford Curtis “Curt” Van Blokland, 68, died Dec. 3 at his home near La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Lighthouse Church in Island City. A reception will follow.
Known as Curt, he was born Nov. 26, 1944, to Andrew Clifford “Shorty” and Mildred (Spencer) Van Blokland at the St. Joseph Hospital in La Grande. He was raised and educated in La Grande, graduating with the La Grande High School Class of 1963.
Curt attended Blue Mountain Community College before returning to work with his father on the family farm. During the winters he worked at Anson’s Ski Shop. In 2004 he began working as a salesman for M.J. Goss Motor Co., where he worked until retiring in 2010.
On April 7, 1965, Curt married Karen Shenfield at the First Christian Church in La Grande.
Curt was a member of the South 40 Club, the Oregon Wheat League and the Elks Lodge. He served on the board of directors of the La Grande Rural Fire Protection District in Island City for many years and the Union County Extension Service. He enjoyed farming, working in his yard, photography, playing pool and golfing. Curt collected cars that he meticulously kept in perfect and spotless condition. One favorite was his ’58 Chevy Impala with which he won “Best in Show” at the Portland Roadster show.
He was preceded in death by his father, Shorty.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Karen of La Grande; children and their spouses, Krysten and Sam Wiseman of Lake Oswego and Kelly and Elaine Van Blokland of Portland; two grandchildren; mother, Mildred; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Berkley Summers of La Grande; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation to be used in treatment of cancer: GRH Foundation, 900 Sunset, La Grande 97850.
Floyd Shenfield (1965)
Clifford Curtis ‘Curt’ Van Blokland
La Grande
1944-2012
Clifford Curtis “Curt” Van Blokland, 68, died Dec. 3 at his home near La Grande. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Lighthouse Church in Island City. A reception will follow.
Known as Curt, he was born Nov. 26, 1944, to Andrew Clifford “Shorty” and Mildred (Spencer) Van Blokland at the St. Joseph Hospital in La Grande. He was raised and educated in La Grande, graduating with the La Grande High School Class of 1963.
Curt attended Blue Mountain Community College before returning to work with his father on the family farm. During the winters he worked at Anson’s Ski Shop. In 2004 he began working as a salesman for M.J. Goss Motor Co., where he worked until retiring in 2010.
On April 7, 1965, Curt married Karen Shenfield at the First Christian Church in La Grande.
Curt was a member of the South 40 Club, the Oregon Wheat League and the Elks Lodge. He served on the board of directors of the La Grande Rural Fire Protection District in Island City for many years and the Union County Extension Service. He enjoyed farming, working in his yard, photography, playing pool and golfing. Curt collected cars that he meticulously kept in perfect and spotless condition. One favorite was his ’58 Chevy Impala with which he won “Best in Show” at the Portland Roadster show.
He was preceded in death by his father, Shorty.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Karen of La Grande; children and their spouses, Krysten and Sam Wiseman of Lake Oswego and Kelly and Elaine Van Blokland of Portland; two grandchildren; mother, Mildred; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Berkley Summers of La Grande; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation to be used in treatment of cancer: GRH Foundation, 900 Sunset, La Grande 97850.