She was born 29 November 1929 in Heppner to Marion and Faye Finch.
Pat grew up on Little Butter Creek and attended school in Echo with her sisters. She graduated from Echo High School in 1947. Pat played saxophone in a group called “Solid Seven” in 1946-1947. They played for proms and other dances.
After graduation she married Royce Eldon Wahner a returning Marine at the Pendleton Episcopal Church on Oct. 23, 1947. They were married for 64 years before his death in February 2012.
Pat worked in food service as a waitress, a cook out at Hinkle and Desert Lanes Bowling Alley. She worked for Vend Music and as a teller in a local bank. She was a member of Eastern Star and attended Elk functions with her husband. She was an avid bowler, travelling all over the U.S. with her teammates. She won the Bicentennial Championship Bowling Tournament at Denver in 1976. Pat loved to cook, bake and can foods. She won ribbons and awards at the Umatilla County Fair. Her contributions to dinners were always sought after, especially her pies. In 1980 she won the Oregon State Wheat League Cake Baking contest. Rodeo was something she loved and attended until she could no longer climb the bleachers to get to her season ticket seat but continued to watch Rodeo on TV. She loved the Blazers but after she moved back to Stanfield the satellite did not cover very many of their games. She loved to watch game shows and televised sports. She was a monthly financial supporter of Agape House and Campus Life. She was a member of the “Has Been, Wanna Bees” singing group who sang at the local prison, nursing homes and other local functions.
Pat is survived by her only child, Gus, and his wife, Shannon; her sister, Fran Coppinger; nephews, Chuck and Daryl Higginbotham and her nieces Sandi Greene and Susie Thompson along with their children and spouses.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Faye Finch; her oldest sister. Betty Higginbotham; and her husband, Eldon.
A celebration of her life with much music will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the First Christian Church on 775 West Highland in Hermiston. After the service her ashes, along with Eldon’s will be placed in the Hermiston Cemetery. Those who wish to visit may return to the fellowship hall at the church after the Cemetery service.
In lieu of flowers Pat and the family request donations to any one of the following: Vange John Memorial Hospice and/or Agape House.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
