Gary Ann Gross “Granny” Edwards of Hermiston, longtime Condon resident, died on April 3, 2024 in Hermiston at the age of 88.
She was born on June 26, 1935 in the Grider house in Condon to Wilfred Rae “Billie” Gross and Frankie Isabella Baker Gross.
She attended Condon Grade School, St. Mary’s Academy in The Dalles and Arlington Grade School. Gary Ann moved back to Condon and spent her high school years as a Condon Blue Devil. During that time, she lived with the Rattray family. She was a majorette and cheerleader all four years at Condon High School and was presented the Citizenship award at her high school graduation. Gary Ann married Dale Edwards on Oct. 3, 1954 and together they had four children.
Gary Ann has always called Condon her home. She raised her family on a cattle and wheat ranch in Condon. Gary Ann was a 4-H leader for horse, sewing, knitting and leathercraft. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms and always brought the best homemade treats. During the summer months she cooked for hay and harvest crews and jumped into the hay and wheat truck to drive until the next meal needed to be prepared. Probably her most favorite time was trailing the cattle back and forth from the wheat ranch in Condon to the summer pastures at Lonerock, where many family hunting and fishing outings took place. Gary Ann loved the annual Gilliam County Fair and Rodeo, where she sat with all her friends betting on the horse races and watching the rodeo.
Dale and Gary Ann moved from Condon to Echo in 1974, where they purchased the Echo Tavern. In 1978 she went to work for Whitey Schroth at Vend Music and was able to purchase her first home in Hermiston. In 1994 she moved to Fields to help her son’s family on the Colony Ranch and later worked as an aid at the Fields Grade School.
The past 18 years she lived in Hermiston, where everyone became her friend. She spent countless hours watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at sporting and rodeo events all over the country. They were her greatest joys. There was no one louder in the stands and no one prouder. She told us all, “I wish I would have had my grandchildren first, but not sure how you do that.”
She is survived by her daughter, Dai Lene Negrevski and husband Mike; son, Nolan Edwards and wife Charmaign (Sis); daughter, Cydney Bothum and husband David; daughter, K’dean Edwards; sisters, Mary Potter of Condon and Kathy Spears of Irrigon; 10 grandchildren, Tawna Moody, JD Shannon, Chad Edwards, Mykael Gaca, Ryan Bothum, Joshua Ruda, Kadee Mallory, Deana Kay Harris, Morgan Weber and MJ Weber; and 12 great-grandchildren: T’Lee, Gage, Gavin, Grady, Maximus, Adriana, Maverick, Luke, Shayne, Kire, Lukas, and Mateo.
Gary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Mathew Paul Edwards; and a granddaughter, Sammi Jo Edwards.
To all the family and friends, thank you for all your love and support during Mom’s seven-year battle with cancer. She never let it get her down and you all lifted her up. All our love.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Condon Cemetery.
A celebration of life service will follow at 12 noon at the Condon Elks Lodge #1869, 117 S. Main St.
Please share memories of Gary Ann with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
