Louise Stella (Welch) Condron

Louise Condron, 94, died on Feb. 17, 2019 in Prineville, Oregon. She was born Louise Stella Welch on July 8, 1924, to John Thomas and Stella Marie (Peterson) Welch in Victor, Colorado. Louise spent her childhood with her parents and younger brother, Johnny in the town of Goldfield, Colorado. After her father’s death in 1940, Louise moved with her mother and brother to Prineville, Oregon where her grandparents, Chris and Ida Petersen lived.

Louise enrolled at Crook County High School as a Junior. She took a summer job at the Lower Mills Ranch and worked for Daryl and Esther Mills. Returning to Prineville for her senior year, Louise worked after school recording documents for Judge Arthur Bowman. Working for Judge Bowman was both challenging and inspiring. She graduated from high school with the class of 1942.

During WWII, Louise went to the Upper Mills Ranch and worked for Orrin and Golda Mills. Because of the war, there was a shortage of men available for work. Louise learned to ride horses and do the jobs men typically would do if they were not in military service. It was at the ranch where Louise met John Condron and in 1943, they decided to marry. During their forty-seven years of marriage, Louise and John raised five children.

Once her children were raised, Louise worked two years as a nurses’ assistant at the Prineville Nursing Home. In 1972, Louise accepted a job as an Instructional Assistant for the Crook County School District. For the next twenty years, Louise taught students with learning challenges. She was passionate about every child’s right to read and used her creativity to teach and connect with her students.

Louise was a volunteer for 4-H and Bowman Museum. She was a member of the Scribbler’s Writing Club since its beginning in the 1980s. Louise illustrated a children’s poem, “Mrs. Caterpillar” that was written by Coty Soules. It was published and dedicated in honor of Coty Soules.

The most important part of Louise’s life was serving God. She was part of a world-wide fellowship of Christians. She loved talking about God and invited others to share what she had with her Heavenly Father.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Condron; son, Tom Condron; son-in-law, Richard Draggoo; granddaughter, Bonnie Holtby; and her brother & sister-in-law, John and Alice Welch. She is survived by four children, Golda Condron of Prineville, OR; Jeannie (Ralph) Holtby of Redmond, OR; Nancy Draggoo of Omak, WA; David (Nancy) of Powell Butte, OR; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Condron of Prineville, OR. Thirteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 3-7p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 at the Prineville Funeral Home. Graveside Services at Juniper Haven Cemetery will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, Mar. 1, 2019. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 a.m., at the Eastside Church, 3174 NE 3^rd St., Prineville, OR. Memorial contributions may be made in Louise’s memory to Crook County Historical Society, 246 N Main Street, Prineville, OR 97754. The family would like to thank the Prineville Funeral Home for their assistance and caring help. Arrangements are in the care of Prineville Funeral Home.   

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