Alice Alleene Bechtold

Bechtold, Alice Alleene 85 Dec. 23, 1926 May 22, 2012 Alice Alleene Bechtold, called Allie by many friends, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the age of 85 surrounded by her children. Alleene was born Dec. 23, 1926 in Park City, Utah to O.M. Hudson and Mary Opal Boggs. She grew up in Butte, Mont. with brothers, Henry "Hank", William "Si" and Charles "Lindy". Alleene graduated high school in Vernonia in 1948. After two marriages, Manford W. Johnson, (1948) and Frank M. Lara (1957), Alleene met and married Wayne M. Bechtold in 1973. She retired from OHSU as salad chef after 12 years. Alleene and Wayne traveled every paved road in Oregon together. They had great times and their splendid marriage lasted until his death in 1991. Walking mornings at Clackamas Town Center, Allie met Harold Kuenzi and they became constant companions until his death in October 2006. Together they traveled to Hawaii, Switzerland and South Africa among other places. They always invited friends and family over to play dominoes, cribbage and "Nickel-Me." Alleene put people at their ease. She had no pretensions about who she was or what she owned. Alleene was everyone's friend: whether a letter carrier or a nurse, she learned their names and told them funny stories. A care-giver told us, "She made me feel special." She made her family feel special too. At holidays 20 or 30 family members would gather and she became the life of the party, laughing, telling stories and sharing her love. She is survived by brothers, Hank and Lindy; children, Michael Johnson, Allen Johnson, Belen (Lara) Davis and Hollie (Lara) Peterson; stepchildren, Diane (Bechtold) Harbin, Michelle Bechtold and Michael Bechtold. She has 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Alleene lost 6-month-old Paul Johnson in 1956. Funeral will be 11 a.m. May 31 at Wilhelm Funeral Home, 6705 SE 14th Ave. in Portland. There will be a brief graveside ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at Vernonia Memorial Cemetery. Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be sent to Vernonia Pioneer Museum or Vernonia Memorial Cemetery.