Dorothea Lorraine Purdy

Dorothea Lorraine Howes Purdy passed away at the age of 90, on Apr. 18, 2026 in Garden City, Idaho. She was surrounded by her children in her final hours.

Dorothea, known to many as Dorothy, was born Nov. 5 1935 in Wichita, Kansas to Harold Wayne Howes and Hope Lorraine Moyer Howes. She joined brother Bob as the second of 6 children. Donald, Helen, John and Charles Lynn soon followed to form their loving family.

The family moved to Harney County in September, 1940 to help Grandfather Paul Howes on the ranch in the Rye Grass area, ten miles east of Burns. Dorothy spoke fondly of growing up on the ranch and playing with the neighbors, Sue and JoEllen Shepherd.

She attended Burns Grade School and graduated from Burns Union High School in 1954. Living that far out of town made extra-curricular activities difficult, but she did participate in a 4-H Bummer Lamb club.

She married Clinton Purdy April 14, 1956. They first lived on the Purdy family ranch near Burns, helping Clint’s brother George and his wife, Mary. Dorothy learned to cook for Haying crews during this time. Daughter Ronda and then son Tim were born during the time spent there.

In 1961 they moved to Silvies Valley. They purchased part of the family ranch from Clinton’s parents. The ranch is twenty-five miles from Burns. There was no telephone service, no television, so Dorothy had a good collection of records to play. She bought comic books and children records to help keep the kids entertained. Daughter Kelly joined the family in 1963 making the family complete. While living there, she drove many 50-mile round trips either as a chauffeur for the kids or attending club meetings and volunteering for many organizations such as Brownies, Girl Scouts, and leading 4-H clubs. There were also many Harney County Horsewomen drill team practices and performances.

Clinton worked on the Ponderosa Ranch in Silvies Valley and then later worked in the logging industry. Dorothy was an important part of the cattle raising and haying chores on the ranch.

In 1973 the family moved back to the Purdy ranch near Burns. They purchased the ranch from brother George and Mary. This added even more work to everyone’s life as they kept the Silvies ranch as part of their operation. Dorothy did the feeding during the week while Clint was working. She cut most of the hay in the summer with an open swather, never wearing a hat or long sleeve shirts or pants, claiming it was just too hot.

Late May found the family, neighbors, and lots of friends moving cattle off the BLM allotment, separating cattle, branding and turning cattle onto the Forest. Dorothy always cooked a delicious midday meal for everyone, twenty people or more, on a wood stove. She would even have cake or pies for dessert, baked in that stove. Meals always tasted especially good at riding camp.

She also took great pride in her branding dinners, making sure they were tasty and beautifully presented. Dorothy passed her skills to her daughter-in-law Cindy as Cindy started cooking these meals when she and Tim took over the family ranching operation.

Volunteering was a way of life for Dorothy. She loved volunteering for many organizations and took it very seriously, doing the best job possible in many different areas.

She joined the Silvia Rebekah Lodge in 1960, participating in most of their activities. She held most of the elective and appointed offices of the Lodge and acquired her lifetime membership. She received their highest honor, the Decoration of Chivalry. She worked hard on the St. Patrick’s Public Luncheon and Style show to raise money to send a student on the United Nations Pilgrimage Tour. She also hosted United Nations delegates on the Pilgrimage for Youth Tour. She participated in the Lodge’s Friendly Hour Group, visiting elderly community ladies, bringing refreshments and entertainment. She helped prepare Lodge floats for the Fair Parade, assisted with food sales, yard sales, banquets, chauffeuring for Sister Rebekah’s, and many other acts of thoughtfulness. She also was a member of the Sylvia Rebekah’s Drill team, she very much enjoyed learning the routines and traveling to perform them.

Dorothy was appointed to the Harney County Fair board in 1994. She was co-director in charge of Open Class exhibits and Land Crop superintendent. She was in charge of the crops department for more than twenty years and worked in the parimutuel ticket sales at the race meet. She dedicated over 30 years of service to the Harney County Fair, Rodeo and Race meet.

She worked many years on the Harney County Library’s Oral History Project. She interviewed many Harney County pioneers, recording their stories and typing up the transcripts. She even traveled out of town to catch up with some of these pioneers.

Dorothy was a member of the Harney County Cattlewomen, as vice president and president several different years. She helped with their Buckaroo breakfast, scholarship luncheon, membership recruitment, in-store beef demonstrations and promotions in the schools. Part of this leadership created funds for youth scholarships. She spent many hours updating the brand book that is used by many as a valuable tool for cattle identification.

She was a Harney County Historical Society board member many years, serving as President for six years or so. She volunteered many hours to help keep the museum open and was curator for a time.

She served on the board of the Miss Harney County and later the Miss High Desert Pageants for 14 years. Four times she chaperoned the local winner to Seaside to enter Miss Oregon Pageant.

She led a 4-H Horse Club and helped girls prepare and compete for the Fair Court, chaperoning trips and served as a judge.

Dorothy is survived by daughter Ronda Purdy of Burns, son Tim (Cindy)Purdy of Burns, daughter Kelly (Gary)Williams of Montour, ID. Grandsons Nick Purdy of Port Orchard, WA and Derek Purdy of Burns. Great grandsons Dane Purdy and Cooper Purdy of Sparks, NV. Sister Helen Kennedy of Sandy, OR and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband Clint, brothers Charles Lynn Howes, Bob Howes, Don Howes, and John Howes.

LaFollette’s Chapel are handling the funeral arrangements. Services will be held Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. In the Presbyterian Church, 417 W. Washington St., Burns, OR 97720. Committal service will follow in the Burns Cemetery. Following the services there will be a fellowship luncheon in the Burns Elks Lodge #1680 in Burns, Oregon.

Contributions in Dorothea’s memory can be made to The Harney County Historical Society or the Burns Cemetery Fund.