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Smith Cemetery ~ John William Lamers ~ part of the Polk County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Lamers, John William
LAST NAME: Lamers FIRST NAME: John MIDDLE NAME: William NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
GENDER: M TITLE: 
BORN: 13 Feb 1918 DIED: 22 Sept 2008 BURIED:  ~ Smith Cemetery
OCCUPATION:  
BIRTH PLACE:  Ryegate, Golden Valley Co, Montana
DEATH PLACE: Monmouth, Polk Co, Oregon
NOTES: 
1930 MT CENSUS - John W. Lamers (12y, b Montana) enumerated with parents William (42y, b Germany, married age 27y, occupation farmer) and Alice C. (41y, b Minnesota, married age 26y), 2 siblings, Margaret (14y, b Montana) and Frances G. (5y, b Montana) and a boarder Kathryn Meade (21y, b Iowa, occupation teacher) MARRIAGE - John W. Lamers & Hodelia Kozele [sic; Kogele] md 24 July 1943, Benton Co, Oregon
DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
OSBH DC (2008 Polk Co) #08-22525
OBITUARY: 
In Loving Memory of John William Lamers, February 13, 1918-September 22, 2008
Monmouth – John William Lamers of Monmouth passed away September 22, 2008 in his home near Monmouth. John was born February 13, 1918 in Ryegate, Montana to William and Alice (Lennon) Lamers. He attended rural elementary schools through the 8th grade and then graduated from Billings High School in 1936. After receiving a teaching certificate from eastern Montana Normal School in 1938 John taught school for several years. He then entered the Army and was stationed at Camp Adair where he and Hodelia were married on July 24, 1943. Hodelia was the love of his life and he cherished their life together. He lived to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in July. In 1944 John was deployed to Europe where he served in the 4th Armored Division under General Patton’s Third Army. He served in the Army for 4½ years and was honorably discharged in 1946. After returning to Oregon John graduated from Oregon College of Education and taught school and served as principal at Rickreall Elementary School. John then went to work for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission after teaching himself accounting by lantern light. He first worked as a State auditor and then opened and managed the first liquor agency in Corvallis and later managed the liquor agency in Dallas. In 1976 he was elected Polk County Assessor and served 4 years. John raised Tennessee Walking Horses for nearly 40 years and was a charter member who formed the Tennessee Walking Horses Exhibition of Oregon in 1963. Hodelia and John showed horses for years and raised Ore-tana Rocket to be a Supreme Versatility Champion whose picture hangs in the Tennessee Walking Horse Hall of Fame in Tennessee. John enjoyed pinochle, square dancing, gardening and spending time in the woods. In 1961 John and the family moved from a Corvallis farm to a property near their current home and began livestock and crop farming. In 1974 the first large tree planting was made. In 1975 John sold 200 acres of open farmland and began focusing on tree farming. He considered his greatest accomplishment to be the completion of his vision of converting nearly 500 acres from brush to a productive tree farm with the aid of his family. Survivors include his wife, Hodelia Lamers of Monmouth, Oregon; children (oldest to youngest) Gloria Bergquist of Portland; Kathleen Fella of Albany, Bill Lamers of Monmouth, Terry Lamers of Dallas, Lee Lamers of Monmouth, and Jan Brown of Kennewick, Washington; sister, Gloria Mulvey of Seattle, Washington; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Priate interment will be held at Fir Crest Cemetery (Smith section) in Monmouth, Oregon, which overlooks John’s property. Arrangements entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence. The family cordially invites everyone who knew John to attend the Celebration of Life which includes a short service, food, music, and review in pictures and video. The celebration will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 27 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Independence at 1275 E Street, Independence, OR 97351. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St Patrick’s Catholic Church or Willamette Valley Hospice who were a wonderful source of support during John’s final days.
Statesman Journal, Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 5C
INSCRIPTION: 
John William Lamers
S Sgt US Army
World War II
Feb. 13, 1918-Sept. 22, 2008
Bronze Star Medal
SOURCES: 
ODI
1930 MT CENSUS (Golden Valley Co, Rocky Ridge, sheet 1A)
Benton Co, Oregon Marriage Records Statesman Journal, Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 5C
CONTACTS: 
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