Faithe Colene Ledbetter

Faithe Colene Oestreicher Ledbetter was the daughter of German immigrants and Oregon pioneers. She found meaning and purpose as a wife to Jim, mother to Karen, Tim, and Greg, and as a church musician and Christian servant. Mom was well named. One tribute to her reads, “There is Faith and then there is Faith with an E. Let us aspire to the latter. Amen.” Her biblical guidance came from Micah 6:8, to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. She was loyal, faithful, intentionally compassionate with the poor, modest, industrious, humble, pious, thrifty to a fault, and classy (but not flashy). She was a pray-er, gracious host, good enough cook, note taker, calendar keeper, greeting card sender, habitual saver, creative decorator with modest materials, family researcher and article clipper, and student of the Bible and the Spanish language. Faithe was born in Spokane, Washington on November 21, 1930, to Leo and Colene (Harris) Oestreicher. Leo was a professional photographer and Colene, ultimately, a teacher. The family was joined by little brother Archie a few years later. Faithe grew up in various locations in Washington state landing for a time wherever her mother’s teaching positions took them. After Spokane, they lived in Cinebar and then Raymond where Faithe graduated in 1947 as Valedictorian of her class. She spent the next four years at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon where she majored in music, met the young man who would become her husband, and graduated in 1951. Jim and Faithe were married on June 13, 1952, in Spokane. Very sadly, Faithe lost her mother to cancer the following year. Her father died in 1990. After Jim’s seminary education, his pastoral positions took them to Yakima and Richland (WA), then Honolulu, Port Angeles (WA), Spokane, Redding (CA), San Diego and, finally, to Portland where Jim completed his ministry. Daughter Karen was born in Yakima in 1955 and sons Tim and Greg were born in Richland in 1956 and 1958. At every stop, Faithe became deeply involved in the musical life of the churches Jim served, while also providing primary care and homemaking for her children. Following Jim’s retirement in 1994, Faithe and Jim remained in their Lake Oswego home for another 20 years while making winter forays into the California and Arizona deserts in their travel trailer. They were walking and exercise partners into their 80s. During this time, much of Faithe’s energy was poured into her music ministry at their home church in Portland where she served continuously until a few months before she died. Faithe and Jim reluctantly sold their home in 2015 and lived at a retirement community in Portland for three years. Faithe and Jim’s final years were lived in memory care in Happy Valley close to Karen. Despite her cognitive declines, Faithe never lost her personality, sense of humor, deep love of her family, or ability to play dozens of hymns and songs from memory in any key. Faithe and Jim both contracted COVID-19 in November of 2020 which claimed Jim November 25th. Faithe and Jim had been married for 68 years at the time of his death. At every step in their Portland years, Faithe and Jim were given the loving care and loyal attention of their daughter, Karen. In addition to their children and their spouses (Raymond, Gail, and Jan), Faithe is survived by 7 grandchildren (Cameron, Harrison, and Vanessa; Rebecca and Kathryn; and Jordan and Alex) and 11 ½ great-grandchildren (another due in March); and her brother, Archie. Faithe will be buried alongside Jim at the Providence Cemetery near Scio, Oregon where Colene was born, and their Oregon Trail Harris ancestors settled in the 1850’s and are buried today. The family celebration of Faithe’s life will be recorded and can be viewed after January 29 at www.weddle-funeral.com. Gifts in Faithe’s memory may be given to Rivergate Community Church Homeless Ministry Fund (4737 North Lombard, Portland OR, 97203). If you are unable to make it to the service, his service will be live-streamed. You can watch it by clinking on this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/faithe-ledbetter Following the service it also be available to watch at the same link.