George Russel Graen

George Russell Graen George Russell Graen February 24, 1915 - April 20, 2010 SALEM - George Russell Graen went home to be with Lord on April 20, 2010 at the age of 95. He was born February 24,1915 in Watertown, S.D. to William and Hazel Graen. In 1922, he and his family journeyed to Union Hill, Oregon where he grew up on the family farm, attending the one-room school house and then graduating from Stayton High School in 1932. After high school, he attended OIT for a few years until the family moved to Salem and Russ left school to help with the family woodcutting business. In 1940, he met the love of his life, Jeannette Stanton and they were married December 2, 1940. They briefly lived in Boise, Idaho, returning June 13, 1941 when his mother Hazel Marie died. He and Jeannette settled in the Salem area where their raised their two children, Judith, born in 1941 and Robert born in 1943. In 1945, Russ began his long truck driving career, working for Shryder's Trucking Co., Salem Navy and finally USF Reddway Trucking, retiring in 1976. During his retirement years, he and Jeannette traveled throughout the U.S., Canada and Northern Mexico camping, hiking and fishing. His parents, brothers and sisters have preceeded him in death. Only the youngest sibling,Ramona Clason, of Mehema, Ore. is still living. Besides his daughter, Judith and his son, Robert, he has 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations in George's name may be sent to Doernbecher Hospital of Portland, or Hospice Care of the Northwest, Salem, Ore.