Thelma Geraldine “Geri” Oster

Celebrating Life

Thelma Geraldine “Geri” Oster passed away on December 26, 2025, joining her husband and two daughters. She was born at home on October 20, 1932, to Thelma and Wiley Gordon in La Grande, Oregon, and was raised in Elgin.

At age 23, while attending Eastern Oregon Normal School, she met the love of her life, Arlie Oster. Geri majored in secretarial science. After their marriage, Arlie left for Korea with the Army while Geri remained stateside. When he returned from service, they moved to Eugene so Arlie could attend the University of Oregon. During those years, Geri worked in the U of O athletic department. They were lifelong Duck fans.

Their first daughter, Nancy, was born in Eugene. The family later moved to Portland, where Arlie began his accounting career and their second daughter, Diane, was born. After a few years, they settled in Harney County, where Arlie became controller at Edward Hines Lumber. Geri devoted herself to caring for her growing family, a fulltime calling she embraced wholeheartedly. She later worked parttime as a tax season secretary for Arlie’s CPA practice in Burns. In 1970, their youngest daughter, Adriene, arrived, bringing even more joy into their home.

Geri and Arlie built deep roots in Harney County. They could always be found supporting their daughters at summer swim meets, tennis and track events, volleyball and basketball games. Both were active in civic life, including the Lions Club’s tree planting scholarship fundraisers. Geri was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Geri published seven books documenting historical gravesites in Harney County, benefitting the Harney County Historical Society working alongside Mary Salsbery, Jennie Stearns, and daughter Diane. She was also a founding member of P.E.O. in Burns and continued her involvement after moving to Baker City and later Grants Pass.

Geri loved to travel. She and Arlie explored Europe, Mexico, Canada, and Alaska. She also traveled with her longtime friend Jane to Italy and Panama. Adventurous and independent, she learned to drive their RV, wintered in Yuma, Arizona, and joined Loners on Wheels campouts for several years.

After Arlie’s passing, Geri moved to Baker City to be near Adriene and her family. She spent extended time in Anacortes with Diane’s family, cheering at countless volleyball games. Eventually, she and her little Yorkie, Whiskey, settled in Grants Pass, where she lived independently at Countryside Village for the rest of her life. There, she formed close friendships, stayed active, and even played on the traveling Bean Bag Baseball team.

Geri is survived by her daughter Nancy Oster Courtney (Dave); son-in-law Steve Courtney; grandchildren Kristen Arrigotti (Dan), Travis Courtney (Angie), Ryan Courtney(Charity), Linsey Mitchell (Brad), and Mackenzie Courtney Chamberlain(Blake), Adriene’s extended Hamilton family, Brett and sons, Thomas and Sam; eleven greatgrandchildren; her brother Morton Gordon (Beverly); her sister Jean Sorenson; sisters in law, Kathy Oster, and Betty Oster, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie, and her daughters, Diane Oster Courtney and Adriene Oster.

A graveside service will be held in Burns, Oregon, February 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Harney County Historical Society, or a local P.E.O. chapter in her memory. LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns, is handling the arrangements.

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