Larry F. Copley, age 65, passed away May 1, 2008, at his Hood River, Ore., residence, after a long battle with a rare blood disorder.

Larry was born Aug. 10, 1942, in Van Nuys, Calif., to Fay and Neva (Walston) Copley. He was raised and educated in Colorado, graduating from high school in 1960.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1967 and was stationed in Germany. He worked in the Climax Mine in Leadville, Colo., and later followed his passion for flying working as a flight instructor/charter pilot in Aspen, Colo., where he met his future wife, Barbara, from Oregon. They married in Aspen in 1969 and moved to Hood River in 1973.

Larry served as a deputy sheriff in Hood River until 1978 when he went to work as a Teamster Business Agent for Local 670 in Hood River.

Larry also served on the State Board of Apprenticeship and Training. In 1991 he took a job with Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration and retired in 1997.

Larry was a past member of the Alpinees and climbed both Mount Hood and Mount Adams. He was a 33-year member of the Hood River Elks Lodge and was voted volunteer of the year for 2006-07.

Larry is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Hood River; his mother, Neva, and brother, Gary, of Delta, Colo.; his brother, Keith, and sister-in-law, Char, of Larkspur, Colo.; his brother-in-law, Henry Hewitt, and his wife Sharon, of Portland, Ore.; nephew, Adam, and nieces Laura and Brooke.

Honoring his wishes, there will be no service. His winning smile will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.

Ruth L. Curtiss, a third-generation Hood River, Ore., resident, died May 6, 2008, at her residence. She was 81 years of age.

Services will be held on Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Ruth was born Oct. 6, 1926, in Hood River, Ore., to Harry and Leona (Burton) Barker. She attended Barrett Grade School and Hood River High School. On May 17, 1947, she and Ken Curtiss were married in Hood River. Ken died in 1997.

Ruth had worked for 30 years at Dan Pierson’s fruit cold storage and apple processing plant. She was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

She enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, crafts and reading. She was especially known for her ribbon rose wreaths and wedding albums of lace and pearls.

She was very knowledgeable about plants. Ruth had only traveled out of Hood River on three occasions, to California, New York and Canada.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her daughter, Barbara Murillo; brothers Vernon and Jerry; sisters Beulah and Betty; and two grandchildren.

Survivors include her sons, Johnnie Curtiss, of The Dalles, Ore., Allen Curtiss, of Vallejo, Calif., and Stephen Curtiss, of Hood River, Ore.; her brother, Bill Barker, of Umatilla, Ore.; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of Hospice in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000; www.andersonstributecenter.com.

Lester R. Mollgaard passed away May 2, 2008, at his home in Turner, Ore. He died peacefully in his sleep and now rests with his wife, Jacqueline.

Lester was born in Powers Lake, N.D., but has made his home in Turner for the last 40 years. Lester married Jacqueline Warner on April 12, 1946. They were married for 56 years.

Lester was an Army medic in World War II and received the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters for his heroic service.

He worked construction, as a heavy equipment operator, most of his life. Lester loved to get on his tractor and work around his acreage, followed by his faithful companions, buddy and Cleo, his dogs. He also loved to watch tennis.

He is survived by sons Steven and David, both of Turner; brother, Arlie Mollgaard, of Yuma, Ariz.; sister, Betty Graves, of Hood River; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline; brothers Lloyd and Percy; and sister, Ruby Nogowski.

Lester requested no services. A private family memorial will be planned at a later date in Hood River.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Willamette Valley Hospice for their kind assistance to Lester and his family.