Lena Leotic Espejo

Lena Espejo was born in Morrill, Neb. Lena is survived by her sons, Richard Jr. and Michael; and daughter, Theresa Hinman. She was a grocery store owner and operator.

Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - April 22, 2009
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Lena was born on January 12, 1925 in Morrill, Nebraska. She was the 10th child of Oscar and Anna Bennett and sister to 12 brothers and sisters. She grew up on a farm between Lisco and Broadwater, Nebraska, and attended school in Broadwater. After High School Lena moved to Bremerton, Washington and lived with her sister Della. While working for the Bremerton Naval Hospital, she met Richard (Dick) Espejo at a USO dance. He was recuperating from wounds while fighting in the Pacific. They were married on the 24th of April 1945 in Bremerton, WA. After the war they moved to Burbank, California. Dick attended college at UCLA and Lena set up housekeeping and they started to raise a family. A daughter, Peggy Ann, and a son Richard Jr. were born during that time. Dick was called back to the Marines for service in Korea, and after he returned they had two more children Michael and Theresa. The family moved about following Dick��(TM)s jobs and finally settled in McMinnville in 1962, where they bought a small ranch. Dick worked for Hewlett-Packard and Lena worked at Michaels Rest Home and the Woolen Mills until the children were out of school. They bought the Cove Orchard Grocery Store, where Lena worked for over 30 years and was known as “Grandma Lena” to all the local children. Dick died in 2006 and Peggy Ann died in 1996. Lena is survived by sisters Nell Maddox, Myrul Brown, Della Carpenter and Dema Speer; Sons Richard Jr. and Michael, and daughter Theresa Hinman. Grandsons James Busch, Aaron Hinman, Adam Hinman, Austin Hinman and Richard M. Espejo, Granddaughters Jennifer McMullen, Stefanie Church and Mallory Espejo. Great grandsons Gabriel Hinman, William Busch, Andrew McMullen, A.J. Hinman, Parker Church and Hayden Church. Great granddaughters Bryanna Busch and Grace Hinman. Lena was a master gardener and loved all things gardening. She proudly displayed a sign that said “Gardening Forever ��" Housework Whenever.” She loved the Lord and felt close to Him when she gardened. She would sing and talk to Him about her children and grandchildren. Spending time with her family was her passion. She never forgot a birthday, or a holiday, even when her “kids” were scattered around the globe. There was always a card no matter how far away they were. She will be missed by all who knew her.

http://www.macyandson.com/obituary/Lena-L.-Espejo/McMinnville-OR

Given Name: Lena Middle Name: L Surname: Espejo Name Suffix: Birth Date: 12 Jun 1925 State: Nebraska Last Place of Residence: Mcminnville, Yamhill, Oregon Previous Residence Postal Code: 97128 Event Date: 16 Apr 2009 Age: 84

Note: obituary say born January 12, 1925, SSDI -says June 12, 1925

Family links:

Parents:

 Albert Oscar Bennett (1883 - 1962)

 Anna Artielmus Morris Bennett (1891 - 1976)

Spouse:

 Richard P Espejo (1925 - 2006)*

Children:

 Peggy Ann Espejo Busch (1956 - 1996)*

Siblings:

 Jolly Opal Bennett Stewart (1910 - 1982)*

 Nell Alice Bennett Maddox (1911 - 2011)*

 Doyal Albert Bennett (1913 - 1981)*

 Alfred Emmerson Bennett (1915 - 1966)*

 Ila Darlene Bennett George (1918 - 1991)*

 Marian Bennett Rummel (1920 - 2001)*

 Lela M. Bennett Young (1921 - 2011)*

 Myrul Anna Bennett Brown (1923 - 2014)*

 Lena Leotic Bennett Espejo (1925 - 2009