Loren Elmer Woodside

Loren Elmer Woodside passed away at the age of 82, on Saturday, Sept. 29, as a result of an auto accident following a day of hunting.

He was born Aug. 19, 1930, in Spokane, to Lyda and Frank Woodside. His father, Frank managed a crew of lineman for the Washington Water Power Co. and they moved several times. As a result, he attended grade school in Lind, middle school in Davenport, and graduated from Ritzville High School in 1949.

While in high school, he delivered groceries for the local grocery store and came to know everyone in town. He also attended many dances in the county.

He served in the Seabees branch of the Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1954, as part of the supply chain. He was stationed at Subic Bay in the Philippines. While in the Navy, he received electrical training, and after being discharged worked for the REA in Othello.

In 1954, he married Pat Cline, they were married for 23 years. In 1957, he realized his dream to become a farmer, and began farming in the Lind area, where he and Pat raised their family. While living on the farm he always had a bird dog. The first hunting dog killed off most of the chickens, but he wanted the dog far more than chickens and so that was the end of their experience raising chickens.

He was the principle breakfast cook for his family while his kids were growing up. He did not believe in cold cereal as he believed that real men ate pancakes. He eventually experimented with sourdough and his sourdough pancakes became a favorite, even at hunting camp. He also freely gave advice on nutrition that usually included eating raw garlic.

He married Sherron Bunch in 1978. They retired from the farm and moved to Lexington, Ore. in the early 1980s. Their marriage ended in 2004.

His true passions in life were hunting and trapshooting. He took part in trap shoots all across the northwest, and hunting expeditions as far away as Alaska and Canada. His grandchildren knew him as Grandpa Grizz due to his bear hunting interests and stories. He loved to play Santa at Christmas time for his children and grandchildren, and even continued that role in later years for local community events. He was a mentor to family and friends, and a source of positive encouragement. He enjoyed researching the family history and was a great storyteller. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge all his adult years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyda and Frank, and his sister, Barbara Teske.

He is survived by children, Kathryn Woodside, Scott Woodside, and Lori Woodside; the love of his life, Sherry Sager; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Memories at Sunset Event Center. An online condolence book is available at http://burnsmortuary.com. Burns Mortuary of Pendleton was entrusted with the arrangements.