Dec. 14, 1915 – Sept. 18, 2013
Marjorie Helena Hutchins, 97, died peacefully on Sept. 18, 2013 at Evergreen Hospice in Albany.
She was born Dec. 14, 1915 in Blachly, the third child of Edwin J. and Matilda “Tilly” (Sprague) Robertson.
After losing her mother in 1930, she became the lady of the house, assuming the task of raising her younger sister, Wilma.
After graduating from Triangle Lake High School, she married Paul Elman Hutchins on July 2, 1936 in Stevenson, Wash. and embarked upon an adventure that lasted a full and fun 46 years.
The Hutchinses moved to Foster in 1941 and spent the rest of their lives in the Sweet Home area, where they raised three children. They were partners in many ways, including owning two businesses in the timber industry – Hutchins and Hutchins Logging and Sardine Creek Timber Company. During that time they employed many loyal and loving friends and family members.
Mr. Hutchins died Aug. 1, 1982, and for the past 31 years Mrs. Hutchins was surrounded by a large family and her best friend and sister-in-law, Shirley (Hutchins) Way.
Family was very important to Mrs. Hutchins and she loved to organize and host family gatherings and vacations with as many relatives as possible.
Together, she and her husband instilled in their children a love of the outdoors; camping, fishing and hunting that will continue to be a tradition in the generations that follow.
Mrs. Hutchins was meticulously creative. She was an accomplished seamstress and had a natural flair for cake decorating; often baking wedding and birthday cakes for loved ones. She enjoyed working in the yard and her lovingly tended flower gardens flourished.
As a member of the Sweet Home Evangelical Church for over 30 years, she rarely missed a Sunday. She was always happiest serving those around her, working in the kitchen and enjoying fellowship with her church family.
An avid traveler, Mrs. Hutchins enjoyed visiting many places throughout the United States and Canada.
She is survived by a son, Larry Ray and daughter-in-law Anita Hutchins; daughter Marilyn Sue Hendrickson; son-in-law Dean Knutson; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great grand children.
Mrs. Hutchins was preceded in death by her husband Paul; daughter Darlene Joyce Knutson; and son-in-law Luke Hendrickson.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Gilliland Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in Mrs. Hutchins’ name to Sweet Home Evangelical Church or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany,.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.