Dorene Garland

Stayton- Melvis Dorene Garland was born on April 1, 1935, in Snyder, Texas to Elvis and Mellie (Wilkerson) Freeman. Her family would move to Oregon where she would go on to graduate from Cascade High School with the class of 1954.  While in high school Dorene was a member of the National Honor Society and the Editor of the high school newspaper.  After High School, Dorene would attend business school but after a year would go into the workforce as a telephone operator with Pacific NW Bell.  Later in life she would work as a Community School Coordinator and then as a Secretary at Salem Appliance Center.  While at a Cottonwoods Dance she would meet Ralph Garland who was just home after being discharged from the US Navy.  Dorene was at the dance because her younger sister sang with a country band that played there. The two would soon be married on January 27, 1957 in Turner, Oregon and they would soon move to the mid-valley where they would put down roots.  In her spare time Dorene enjoyed gardening, FCE, reading, and cooking. She also supported her husband Ralph with the VFW. Dorene loved arts and crafts and one of her favorite things to do was to make porcelain dolls.  On June 24, 2021, Dorene passed away in Stayton, Oregon surrounded by family.  She was preceded in passing by her husband Ralph; parents, Elvis and Mellie; And Brother Delvis. She is survived by her children, Dion Farm, Ben (Dianna) Garland, and Dan Garland; grandchildren, Christofer, Cassie, Jeremiah, Christina, Shaianne, and Danyelle; Great-grandchildren, Caleb, Hailie, Logan, Caitlyn, Peyton, and Wiley; and Siblings, Mary, Carol and Patsy.  A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on July 17th, 2021, at Weddle Funeral Service in Stayton.  She will be placed with her husband, Ralph at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon.