Helen Lorraine Ekerson Obituary

Feb. 4, 1931 – Jul. 20, 2023

At the age of 92, she passed away peacefully at home after a rapid progression of congestive heart failure. She was

surrounded by the love and support of her cherished family.

Lorraine Eker

son was born at home in Oregon City to Harold & Cecilia Latham, the first of three children.

Lorraine went to Bolton grade school in West Linn and then went on to St. John the Apostle Catholic grade school. Her

high school years were spent at West Linn High School where she graduated in 1949. Later she attended Marylhurst College before marring Bernard (Barney) Ekerson on August 2nd 1952.

She celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2012 with Barney. He passed away at home on Dec 22, 2012.

Lorraine raised their children in the family home that Barney built in West Linn, and has resided there for over 67 years.

She worked all her life as a homemaker taking care of eight children, which commanded more hours than any other fulltime job and without pay. She had a love of gardening, and her yard was always full of flowers. Her sewing skills were remarkable, from curtains, to clothes for the kids, and quilts for the grandchildren. She was also known for her cookie baking skills, especially at Christmas. Later-on, she reached her dream of getting all her children on skis. She would occasionally take one of her kids out of school for the day, to go skiing with her on Mt. Hood.

She also volunteered for many organizations including Red Cross, Altar Society and made needed quilts for Senior Care Facilities. Her garden flowers and talents provided many floral arrangements to the church.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Karen Dubord (Lyle), Jean Avison (Bill), Julie Doolittle (Mark); 5 sons, David, Jim (Jill), Jeff (Laura), Tom (Dawn), Michael (Jeanne), and brothers Delbert Latham and Dennis Latham (Carol); 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way); many nieces and nephews along with numerous other family members.

Recitation of the Rosary is on August 2nd at 10am, and a Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held on 10:30 immediately following the Rosary, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Oregon City. Following the funeral, a Memorial Reception will take place at the Museum of the Oregon Territory, 211 Tumwater Drive in Oregon City, (right off Hwy 99E). Christian burial will take place Thursday, August 3rd at 10am at St. John’s Cemetery in Oregon City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Mt. Angel Abbey Foundation or St. Vincent DePaul.