Loren Bosten

1923 - 2014

Loren Grove Bosten

December 13, 1923 - November 6, 2014

Loren Grove Bosten was born December 13, 1923, at Quinaby on his grandparents' farm on land that was part of his great great grandfather Beckner's Donation Land Claim. He died November 6, 2014, in Keizer.

He was the son of Oliver Stanley and Elsie (Beckner) Bosten. He spent his earliest years in Enterprise, Oregon, before moving back to his grandparents' farm in Keizer. Growing up during Depression, he was sent out to work for room and board on a farm in present-day West Keizer at the age of 14 years old. At age 16 he went to work in the cannery.

He attended Salem High School, walking from Keizer, and left to join the Army Air Force in World War II. He graduated from military flight school in Texas, "earning his wings" on May 23, 1945, and completed his service in Hawaii.

While in the service, he married Margaret Kennedy of Texas. They had two daughters.

After his service ended, he worked for United Airlines in Salem and Sacramento as reservations chief. Margaret died in 1983. In 1994 he married Patricia Loven of Keizer, who died in 1998.

He loved the mountains and back country of Oregon and Northern California where he back-packed, fished, and hunted. His favorite places were in the Ochoco Mountains of Eastern Oregon, where he requested his ashes be scattered.

He continued his love of flying after retirement and enjoyed flying his Piper Cherokee airplane in the West, British Columbia, and Alaska.

He was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church, Keizer Elks, and the American Legion. Growing up knowing hunger, he was a faithful worker and generous contributor to the Keizer Food Bank.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betty Bosten Beamish, and both wives. He is survived by daughters Kathy Schmidt of Fairview, Oregon, and Nancy Bickley (Bob) of Coursegold, California; grandchildren Beth Alberta (Chance), Lauren Walton (Travis) USCG, and Stephen Schmidt; three great grandchildren; and his long-time companion, Shirley Bond, and her family.

Memorial service will be 2:00 on Saturday, November 29, at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 452 Cummings Lane N, Keizer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Knox Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or the Keizer Food Bank.