Timmie (Yraguen) Echanis, 96, a reference for the local Basque community, passed away in Ontario, Oregon

She was born Basque in Oregon. In one of her life's proudest moments, Timmie was inducted into the Basque Hall of Fame on November 11th, 2007. Timotea Timmie Echanis was born to Jose White Horse and Claudia Yraguen on April 3, 1912, in a stone house with a mud floor on the Antelope Ranch located in Malheur County on the Oregon-Nevada border. She was delivered by a 'horse' doctor. Timmie started attending school in McDermitt when she was seven years of age and, as was true of all of her siblings, couldn't speak a word of English.

When sheep prices collapsed in the early 1920s her family moved in a wagon with everything they owned to Bully Creek outside of Vale, OR. While attending school at Star, which was located between Vale and Grove, she acquired the nickname Timmie by which she has been known throughout her life. When she turned fifteen, her schooling was terminated, as was true of all of the Yraguen children, and she returned to work on the farm until she decided at age sixteen that she was going to start working for herself.

She went to work for Ygnacio Jack and Maria Echanis at the Echanis Boarding House in Ontario, and remained with them until 1934 when she married the love of her life Jose Joe Echanis, Jack's younger brother. Joe bought Timmie her house in Ontario in 1935, and she continued to reside in her house until her death.

Timmie cared for her husband and her children and was involved in all sorts of Church and Basque Club endeavors which spanned her entire lifetime. Timmie loved to dance; loved a good party; and loved her family. Timmie was always a matriarch of faith for her family and all with whom she had contact.

Timmie is survived by her daughters Dolores Gianotti of Portland and Kathy Franks of McCall, their Husbands Jerry Gianotti and John Pud Franks; by two Sisters Juanita Ybarzabal Hoff and Martina Echanis and one Sister-in-Law Babe Yraguen; by eleven Grandchildren; Jerry Gianotti, Alan Gianotti, Tom Gianotti, Tim Gianotti, Maria Gianotti, Victoria Echanis, Joe Echanis, Larry Echanis, Tom Echanis, Angela Franks P'Pool, and Ciriaco Franks; by twenty-seven great grandchildren; and by their spouses and extended families.

She was preceded in death by her son Joe who was lost in the Vietnam conflict in 1969 followed by the death of her husband Joe in 1976; by three brothers Fanneo, Boni, and Joe Yraguen; by two sisters Mary Arana and Carmen Inda; and by her brothers' and sisters' spouses.

In one of her life's proudest moments, Timmie was inducted into the Basque Hall of Fame on November 11th, 2007.

There will be a viewing on Sunday, March 16th, 2008, 12:00 4:00pm, at the Lienkaemper Funeral Home. Rosary will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Ontario on Sunday beginning at 6:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00am on Monday, March 17th. In lieu of flowers, the family of Timmie requests that contributions be made to the Ontario Basque Center in care of the Ontario Basque Club, P.O. Box 1233, Ontario, Oregon 97914. She will be greatly missed. Goian Bego.

Related links

Ontario, Oregon Basque Club
www.ontariobasqueclub.dantzariak.net

Ontario Basque American Hall of Fame
Published by EuskalKultura.com on November 15th, 2007

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Timmie (Yraguen) Echanis, 96, a reference for the local Basque community, passed away in Ontario, Oregon

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