Howard John Ochse

Dec. 3, 1929 - April 27, 2007

Howard died Friday at Timberview Care Center.

He was born in Condon to Henry and Mary (Jones) Ochse. The family moved to North Albany when Howard was 9. He attended one-room grade schools and graduated in 1947 from Corvallis High School.

Howard married Donna Hughes on May 31, 1953, in Peoria. On Dec. 3 of that year, he entered the Army and served for two years. After his service, he farmed and raised turkeys with his father in North Albany. In 1957, he built a new house for his wife and himself. In that year, he also changed careers to construction. Howard built many houses in the Corvallis and Albany area.

Howard loved Eastern Oregon, especially hunting chukars, pheasant and deer. He also fished, loved the outdoors and camping with friends and family.

During his retirement years, he and his best buddy would take planned walking trips along country roads and went on several backpacking trips.

He was known for his honesty and quiet ways, also nicknaming many family members and his close friends.

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disabled him and he spent the last 81/2 years at home being cared for by his wife.

Howard is survived by his wife, Donna, of 53 years (one month short of 54); son Kelly of Albany; daughter Susan Deibele and husband Douglas of Camas, Wash.; grandsons Steven Deibele, Mark Deibele, Jonathan Deibele and Nicholas Ochse; and sisters Joyce Laski of Albany, Joan Humphrey of Albany and Gene Goss of Molalla.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at North Albany Community Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to North Albany Community Church.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements (www.aasum-dufour.com).