Alice Arlene Akins Palmer of Hermiston passed peacefully on Nov. 23, 2021 with family by her side at the age of 83.
She was born on Dec. 12, 1937 in Estacada to Kathleen Winifred Akins and Floyd Lester “Jack” Akins.
Alice was the third youngest of seven siblings, Dorothy Bledsoe, Bob Akins, Mary Hernandez, Tom Akins, Alice Palmer, Jerry Akins and Kathy Akins. On Oct. 14, 1955, she married Carl Herbert Palmer at the Presbyterian church in Springwater.
Alice was at her husband’s side as a bookkeeper in his business, C.H. Palmer Roofing, Siding and Insulation since he started in 1964. After moving from Redmond to Hermiston in 1969, she was not only a bookkeeper but worked as a cook at Rocky Heights Elementary and a Hermiston school bus driver, and worked at Simplot. She told the story that J.R. Simplot sat with her in the work plat cafeteria and asked for her opinions of the plant and how she thought it was working. She was never short on words, and he always looked her up when he visited.
Carl remodeled the Kiddi-Korner, and together they ran the restaurant for many years. She liked serving patrons and visiting, and was up early making donuts so that patrons would have fresh coffee and donuts or a full breakfast. As many know, the Kiddi-Korner was a place to visit and relax with a full belly.
Alice was with her husband sharing the love of hunting and fishing. The family spent a lot of time on the north fork of the John Day River camping, hunting and fishing. Trips to Eastern Oregon lakes, rivers and streams, along with annual salmon trips or smelt fishing, were common with the family. Many of her kids’ friends were treated like family and soon found themselves welcomed at family campsites, whether it was fishing, hunting or riding motorcycles in the
mountains. As a parent, she followed the Hermiston wrestling team during the ‘70s, traveling with other parents and again with grandchildren.
Alice is survived by two brothers, Bob Akins, Estacada and Tom Akins, Baker City; bother-in-law, Eldon Palmer and his wife, Ida Palmer, Sun City, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law, Donald Lewis and Lori Ann Palmer; son, Michael John Palmer; son, Kenneth Roy Palmer; 11 grandchildren, Charles John Palmer, Eric Martin Palmer, Brian Douglas Palmer, Olaf Devan Hanson, Cassandra Marie Whetsler, Jacqualine Doris Palmer, Mathew John Palmer, Wesley Forest Palmer, Beverly Jo Rutherford, Alice Ilene Clinkenbeard and Crystal Marie Patterson; 27 great children, Broden Carlson Palmer, Kailey Lynn Palmer, James William Leonard Jr., Lane John Leonard, Lily Marie Leonard, Wylee Decker Hanson, Harley Ann Hanson, Jake Anthony Palmer, Megan Elizabeth Palmer, Tyah Jean Palmer, Katherine Rose Palmer, Alexuz Mary Palmer, Kiley LeeAnn Palmer, Dustin Lee Palmer, Damien John Palmer, Devan Eugene Suefert, Dustin Michael Suefert, Keith and Britnany Leeann Jemmett, Piper Simone Green, Khase Ray Green, Mahailya Noel Clinkenbeard Jones, Amber Clinkenbeard, Finnegan Clinkenbeard, Ian Armstrong, Logan James Paterson and Kyri Ann Patterson; and eight great-great grandchildren, Jaiden Richard Palmer, Abigail Hope Sandeval, Charly Jemmett and Angus Jo Jemmett, Lily and Juniper Clinkenbeard, and Payson and Haven Jones.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Carl H. Palmer; daughter, Beverly Ann (Palmer) Clinkenbeard; a grandson, Trampis Lee Palmer; and a great grandson, Brok David Palmer.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Alice with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
