LaVine Alice Rathkey
LaVine Alice Knowles was born June 17, 1931, in Eugene, Oregon, to Florene Hill Knowles and Eugene Isom Knowles and passed away June 5, 2025, in The Dalles, Oregon. In her early years, she lived with her paternal grandparents on their farm in Trent. She attended school in Trent Grade School where her father, uncle, and three aunts received their primary education. She graduated from Springfield Union High School in 1949.
Living with her father and stepmother, her early memories were of severe rationing during World War II, the difficulty buying tires or gasoline, and driving without headlights on in the dark. She recalled the family moving closer to her father’s job as an edger at the sawmill, so he could walk to work. She was also able to walk to school.
After high school, LaVine moved to Portland, taking a job at Portland General Electric working with the janitorial crew, cleaning the entire sixth floor, but was soon moved to running the elevator, a position she liked much better. Eventually LaVine became a teacher’s aide, a position she truly enjoyed, working with children.
LaVine married John Pelles August 11th, 1951, in Silverton at the Assembly of God Church. They had two daughters: Mary Catherine in 1954 and Judy Ann in 1955. LaVine and John also welcomed John Sr.’s son from a previous marriage, John Jr. John Sr. passed away February 1979.
LaVine married Eldred Richard Rathkey December 29, 1979, in Salem, Oregon. They enjoyed living on the coast at Pacific City, then moving inland to a ten-acre place outside Dallas, Oregon. They both enjoyed gardening, reading, and grandkids. A trip to Alaska to visit granddaughter Amy and her family was a highlight of their travels. They also enjoyed family and especially the annual Rathkey Cousins’ Picnic.
LaVine loved writing and her writing group in the Dallas / Salem area. She authored two books “Chalk Dust and Choices” a novel, and “A Time to Go” which was a history of the Watts family migration from England to Canada. She also wrote a children’s book, “Rupert Goes To Town” with illustrations by her sister-in-law Dorothy Rathkey Schattenkerk. She loved her family, going to coffee, telling stories, watching the pelicans at The Dalles Dam, and gardening.
LaVine was predeceased by John Pelles, Eldred Richard Rathkey, stepson Raymond Rathkey, stepson John (Jack) Pelles, son in law, John Gozeleski, and daughter Judy Ann Pelles-Thomas. She leaves behind daughter Mary Pelles Edmunds (Dean), stepdaughter Rita Rathkey (Scott McKay), daughter in law, Carol Rathkey Van Hyning, and grandchildren, Amy Rathkey Gozeleski, Jana Rathkey Murphy (Warren), Andrew McKay (Ariana Sanchez) and Hillary McKay, as well as five great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews. We rejoice in her faith and know she is still enjoying storytelling and gardening.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.