Comments:
Webmaster Note:
President Dennis Ray Hassell's Obituary:
http://dailytidings.com/2002/news0807/obituaries/dt_obituaries.php
Dennis Ray Hassell
Dennis Ray Hassell, 79 of Sonora, died Sunday, Aug., 4, 2002, at a Sonora
Hospital. A funeral will take place 11 a.m., Saturday Aug. 10, 2002 at the
Medford LDS Stake Center, 2900 Juanipero Way, Medford. Bishop Fred Clark
will be officiating.
Mr. Hassell was born Feb. 7, 1923 in Mesa, Ariz. to Maynor and Anna
Hassell. He lived in Ashland from 1945 to 1991. He married Grace Arlene
Whetten on July 12, 1944. He graduated from Southern Oregon University in
1952 in elementary education.
Mr. Hassell was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. He served in many church positions during his lifetime,
including Bishop of the Ashland First Ward for five years, Stake President
of the Medford Oregon Stake for 10 years, and President of the Canada
Halifax Mission for three years. While serving as an early morning Seminary
teacher for high school youth in 1975, he challenged his class to become
members of the "consecutive club," by reading their scriptures every day.
He took on the challenge himself, and did not miss reading a single day in
more than 26 years, developing a great love for the scriptures.
He was a WWII veteran, serving his country from 1943-1945 as a pilot in the
Air Force. He flew B-24s in the Pacific as part of the 5th Airborne - the
"Jolly Rogers."
Mr. Hassell supported his family for many years by logging in Southern
Oregon. When he saw a need for a better log bunk, he invented one for
himself. As other loggers expressed a desire to buy his new equipment, he
sold his log truck in 1954 to raise the capital to start his own steel
fabrication business. His log bunks and stakes are still used on most of
the logging trucks throughout California and the Northwest.
He was an avid inventor, a thoughtful husband, and a wonderful father.
Mr. Hassell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Grace Arlene Whetten
Hassell of Sonora; a son Alan Hassell of Ashland; three daughters Joyce
King of Walnut Creek, Calif., Arlene Craig of Sonora, and Paula Henderson
of Raleigh, of N.C., 24 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Carolyn and LaRee Hassell.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug.9, 2002, at the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Hillsdale Ave., Sonora.
Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund,
c/o Bishop Shawn Price, 23100 Knickerbocker Flat, Columbia, Calif. 95310.
Grace Arlene Whetten Hassell's Obituary:
Ashland Daily Tidings
February 4, 2004
http://dailytidings.com/2004/0204/020404obits.shtml
Grace Arlene Whetten Hassell died Sunday, February 1, 2004, at a Modesto, California hospital.
Mrs. Hassell was born April 8, 1923, in Colonia Chuichupa, Mexico to Warren Ernest Whetten and Adelaide Martineau Whetten. Her family moved to Bluewater, New Mexico when she was ten years old. She graduated from Grants Union High School in 1942, and went on to nurse's training in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1944, she married D. Ray Hassell, also from Bluewater, who was serving his country as a pilot in the United States Air Force. At the end of WWII, they moved to Ashland, Oregon, where they lived for 46 years before moving to Sonora, California 12 years ago. They were married for 58 years before Mr. Hassell died in 2002.
Mrs. Hassell was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served many years in the youth and women's organizations of the Church. She and her husband lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1982 to 1985 while serving a mission for the Church. She treasured that experience, and the many friendships she made there. Mrs. Hassell loved music. She was happy to share her talent on the piano and organ, serving as church organist for many years, both in Ashland and in Sonora.
She was an avid quilter; her family has many examples of her craft to keep them warm. She loved to cook, and enjoyed trying out new recipes. Home baked bread was a staple in her home. She also liked to garden. She was very good at getting things to grow. She loved being a mother; it was the accomplishment that meant the most to her.
She is survived by a loving family consisting of a son, Alan Hassell of Ashland, three daughters, Joyce King of Walnut Creek, California, Arlene Craig of Sonora, and Paula Henderson of Raleigh, North Carolina, 24 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Mr. Hassell, and two daughters, Carolyn Ann Hassell and LaRee Hassell.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 111 Clay St. in Ashland. Private interment will be at Memory Gardens in Medford prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund, c/o Bishop Mark Skillman, 5597 Highway 66, Ashland, OR 97520. |
