Yvonne Jean Cieloha

On July 5, our beloved Mom passed away at the age of 88 at the assisted living facility where she lived in Vancouver, Washington. She is now dancing in heaven with our Dad who preceded her in February 2020. She never did like the fact that he left without her.

Mom was born in Portland, Oregon, to Herman and Eleanora Breding. She was the youngest of three children, and her sisters Thelma and Mildred (now deceased) who she loved dearly (as did we) always called her Babe. She attended Beach Grade School from kindergarten through 8th grade and then graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950. She was honored Queen of Bethel No. 5, Job’s Daughters in 1950 and Philo (Jeff Club) President. The family lived in North Portland, and up until her passing she kept in contact with her lifelong friends from the neighborhood. She also never missed a Jefferson class reunion.

Mom loved to tell the story of how she met Dad cruising Broadway. She thought he was cute with his greasy “ducktail” haircut. They were married in December 1951 at Grandma and Grandpa Cieloha’s house, and after a few days of celebration, Dad left for the Navy. He arrived at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego in early 1952, Mom followed soon after, and they lived there until Dad’s honorable discharge. Mom was a Teller at Bank of America in San Diego while Dad was stationed there. They were married 69 years.

Mom and Dad have three children (and their spouses), Tom (Sue) Cieloha, Leanna (Paul) Gornick, and Julie (Dave) Whitney. Our family is blessed with Mom and Dad’s nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In 1973 Mom and Dad moved into their new home, built by Dad (Mom helped a lot!), on Sauvie Island next to our grandparents Elsie and Louis Cieloha. Our family has a long and beloved history on the Island starting with our great grandparents around the turn of the century. Mom and Dad loved being a part of the community and their many friends and family who live there. Mom loved being a member of the Grange and the Safety Action Team (a community outreach program of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office). She loved being in the grange kitchen making pies with her wonderful and very special friends, serving at grange events, shopping at the Pumpkin Patch, and being involved in any Island community gatherings. She proudly served as Grange Scholarship Chairman for several years.

Mom worked at Fred Meyer in various roles for 38 years. She drove school bus for Powellhurst Church, was PTA President at Earl Boyles School, and worked for Hallmark Cards for 12 years after retirement from Fred Meyer.

Mom and Dad’s faith in God was very important to them and guided their entire lives. They were members of Grace Lutheran Church in Scappoose, Oregon, for many years as were Dad’s parents and many other family members.

There will be a celebration of her life at the Sauvie Island Grange Hall on Saturday, July 17, from 2-5 pm. Instead of flowers, donations to the Sauvie Island Grange Scholarship Fund would make her very happy.

Sauvie Island Grange Hall

14443 NW Charlton Road

Portland, OR 97231

Directions: Cross the Sauvie Island Bridge and stay on Sauvie Island Rd. Turn right onto Reeder Rd. Turn right onto NW Charlton Rd. Go past the Sauvie Island School and on the left is the Sauvie Island Grange Hall.

Note that we are following Oregon COVID protocols. It is highly recommended and encouraged that partially/non-vaccinated individuals wear masks. Thank you!