Sorrowful Goodbyes

The Garden Home History community has lost some good people over the last year or so.

First, we lost Charles Vedder, husband of Garden Home History Project board member Sharon Vedder.

Charlie was a long-time resident of Garden Home, moving here in 1964 when he purchased a trailer on a plot of land.

He met and married Sharon in 1967 and they lived together in that trailer for a while, but when children started appearing it was time to sell the trailer and build a home. They raised 3 children there.

After Charlie retired, he volunteered on the Steamer Portland. He also loved cars all his life—there wasn’t a motor he couldn’t rebuild and get to run. He was always tinkering with things. If it wasn’t working, he brought it home and fixed it, then tried to give it away.

He loved spending time with his 3 children and their spouses and 14 grandkids. He loved the Garden Home area, and was always out walking, sometimes with a grandkid. He started his new journey on June 16, 2025, from his home in Garden Home, as he requested.

He will be dearly missed.

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August 24, 2025 Canine Carnival

THPRD hosted the Canine Carnival at the Garden Home Recreation Center on August 24, 2025. The event included many pop-up tents featuring pet-related products, services, and other interests. There was a dog and owner look-alike contest and a pop-up off-leash doggie park. The Garden Home History Project hosted a booth featuring coloring books and peanut butter spoons for the dogs to enjoy. The event highlighted the community spirit of Garden Home!

Garden Home History volunteers included Mickey Lindsay, Jan Fredrickson, Kevin Mistler, Marie Pacella, John Pacella, Esta Mapes, Patsy VandeVenter, and Sharon Vedder. Check out our ways to Get Involved if you’re interested in joining an active Garden Home group.

Thanks to Kevin Mistler for the photos below.

 

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August 16, 2025 Annual Picnic

We held our annual picnic for the Board of Directors and other members on August 16, 2025 at Jan Fredrickson’s home, Wormwood Manor. Kevin took the pictures below, but unfortunately, we didn’t get a picture with Kevin in it. We welcome new members to join us in celebrating the history of Garden Home. We’re a fun and diverse group to hang out with!

Mickey, Marie and John - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Mickey, Marie and John – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Mickey, Marie, Jan, John, and Sandy - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Mickey, Marie, Jan, John, and Sandy – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Sandy, Susan, and Stan - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Sandy, Susan, and Stan – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Marie and John - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Marie and John – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Jan and Mickey - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Jan and Mickey – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Susan and Stan - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Susan and Stan – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Mickey - 2025-08-15 annual picnic

Mickey – 2025-08-15 annual picnic

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Lynn and Mike Couch

Editor: Becky Couch Mccrone sent us the following sad news of the passing of her brothers, Lynn and Mike Couch.

Couch family vintage photo

Couch family vintage photo

Couch family

Couch family

The family of Fred and Ardella Couch resided in Garden Home from 1953 until Ardella moved to the east side of Portland to be closer to family in approximately 2005. All five children, Lynn, Doug, Becky, Mike, and Eric attended Garden Home Elementary, Whitford Junior High, and all graduated from Beaverton High School. We loved our childhood and adolescent days in Garden Home.

It is with deep sadness that I report the deaths of Lynn and Mike Couch. The brothers died less than a month apart and we are so deeply saddened by their passing.

Lynn had been living in Olympia, Washington for several years. He was diagnosed with stage IV lung and kidney cancer in February of this year. The cancer was aggressive, and he died May 25, 2025. He requested no funeral or celebration of life. He was 75 years old.

Mike lived in NE Portland with his wife, Katherine, and their son, Jack, for most of his adult years. About 12 years ago, Mike was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. The last few years of his life were spent in a memory care facility. His favorite thing to do when his siblings visited him was to talk about their childhood memories in Garden Home. Mike died on June 25, 2025. He was 68 years old. A celebration of Life is planned for Mike on September 6, 2025, at 2:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church in downtown Portland. All are welcome to attend.

For more information or to contact the Couch family, please email me (Becky) at bcouchgood@aol.com.

Michael Couch Obituary

Mike Couch

Mike Couch

Michael Frederick Couch, 68, died June 25, 2025, after living with Alzheimer’s Disease for thirteen years. Mike was born and raised in Garden Home and was proud to be a lifelong Oregonian. He was pre-deceased by his father, Fred Couch, mother, Ardella Couch, and his eldest brother Lynn.

Mike leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Katherine, son Jackson, and his three remaining siblings Becky, Doug, and Eric, along with nieces Rickey and Molly.

Mike was most happy surrounded by nature and was an accomplished fly fisherman and outdoors man.

He loved live music, laughing, reminiscing with friends, and a good IPA.
Mike received a degree from the UO in 1981, after studying at OSU, where he made lifelong friends.

He was a longstanding Journeyman Carpenter with United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
There will be a Celebration of Life with reception to follow on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Eliot Center, First Unitarian Church, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland OR.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to:

Alzheimer’s Association.
Tribute: Mike Couch.
5825 Meadows Rd.
Lake Oswego, OR 97035.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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June 22, 2025 Meet and Greet at the Old Market Pub and Brewery

On June 22, 2025, we hosted a Meet and Greet in the back room of the Old Market Pub and Brewery. It was a terrific event featuring a presentation about a 1944 fighter plan crash in Garden Home and free pizza! We estimate at least 75 people attended the Meet and Greet. Thanks for showing up!

We’d like to highlight the efforts made by Susan Houseman in organizing the event and Stan Houseman for the extensive tri-fold displays about the history of Garden Home.

We also want to acknowledge the Old Market Pub and Brewery for the partnership we have with them, both for events as well as permanent displays.

And thank you to Jan Fredrickson for the photos.

2025-06-22 Garden Home Meet and Greet

2025-06-22 Garden Home Meet and Greet

Tom Shreve, presenter

Tom Shreve, presenter

Kevin Mapes at 2025 Meet and Greet

Kevin Mapes at 2025 Meet and Greet

LeAnn Pinniger Magee at 2025 Meet and Greet

LeAnn Pinniger Magee at 2025 Meet and Greet

The calm before the storm - 2025 Meet and Greet

The calm before the storm – 2025 Meet and Greet

Volunteers make the world go round - Elaine Shreve, John Pacella, Patsy VanDeVenter, Sharon Cram, Bob Cram - 2025 Meet and Greet

Volunteers make the world go round – Elaine Shreve, John Pacella, Patsy VanDeVenter, Sharon Cram, Bob Cram – 2025 Meet and Greet

The tri-fold information boards were terrific, thanks Stan Houseman - 2025 Meet and Greet

The tri-fold information boards were terrific, thanks Stan Houseman – 2025 Meet and Greet

Volunteers before the event started - Patsy VanDeVenter, Bob Cram, Sharon Cram, Esta Mapes, Marie Pacella, and Mickey Lindsey - 2025 Meet and Greet

Volunteers before the event started – Patsy VanDeVenter, Bob Cram, Sharon Cram, Esta Mapes, Marie Pacella, and Mickey Lindsey – 2025 Meet and Greet

Standing room only - 2025 Meet and Greet

Standing room only – 2025 Meet and Greet

Quite the crowd - 2025 Meet and Greet

Quite the crowd – 2025 Meet and Greet

Presentation about 1944 fighter plan crash in Garden Home - 2025 Meet and Greet

Presentation about 1944 fighter plan crash in Garden Home – 2025 Meet and Greet

More attendees - 2025 Meet and Greet

More attendees – 2025 Meet and Greet

Mickey Lindsey, Esta Mapes, Marie Pacella, John Pacella - 2025 Meet and Greet

Mickey Lindsey, Esta Mapes, Marie Pacella, John Pacella – 2025 Meet and Greet

Many new connections were made among neighbors - 2025 Meet and Greet

Many new connections were made among neighbors – 2025 Meet and Greet

Presentation - 2025 Meet and Greet

Presentation – 2025 Meet and Greet

 

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