Fern Edna (Bowen) DuMilieu

Fern Edna DuMilieu, age 92, longtime resident of the Westside community was escorted home by the angels to be with the Lord on March 11, 2024, in Lakeview, Oregon.

Fern was born on July 7, 1931, in Bethel, Oklahoma to Leonard and Maudie (Smith) Bowen, second oldest of 5 children.

She moved to Canby, California where she met Leo DuMilieu, they were eventually married on November 29, 1946, in Reno, Nevada. They moved to Lakeview in 1951, where they bought and started their cattle ranch. They owned and operated the ranch for 68 years until 2019.   

Fern enjoyed her ranch life raising chickens and milking her cow for the family milk and butter. She loved all the ranch animals, the horses, cattle, cow dogs, but she really loved the barn cats, and would feed them all very well.

She was a true western gal till the end, and a deadly shot with her shot gun getting the varmints away from her house and beloved animals. She was still shooting her shotgun at the age of 91 off her back porch! Fern worked hard all her life yet still always cared for her appearance. She was a true lady.

Fern loved the Lord and was very involved with the church while she was still able. Beginning with her membership at the old Westside Community Church eventually having a membership at the First Baptist Church currently.

She was a member of the Westside Community Club and was on the election board when the elections took place at the Westside Grange. She loved her family dearly and she loved people. One thing she really enjoyed was visiting people every chance she could get.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, her husband Leo (2008), and one son, David R DuMilieu (2022).

She is survived by sons and daughter in law; Bob (Merrie) DuMilieu of Sutherlin, OR and Rick (Laurie) DuMilieu of Lakeview, OR, 4 grandchildren; Brad DuMilieu, Sharla Maher, Lynette Gonzalez, Lacy Campuzano, 10 Great Grandchildren; Allyssa McVay, Tylor, Trevyn and Trestyn DuMilieu, Chellsey Maher, Ryley and Rhaden Gonzalez, Bella (Miller) Jasper, Tahlia and Bronsen Campuzano, 3 Great Great Grandchildren, Sister; Joyce Belk, Niece; Janet Jabusch and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Lakeview, Oregon, at 1:00 P.M. There will be a committal at Westside Cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions can be made in Fern’s memory to The Westside Cemetery Po Box 688, Lakeview, OR 97630, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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