Myrna Ann Woodell

Myrna Ann Woodell, born November 21, 1928, at home in Crandon South Dakota to Wilma (Backer) Bruins and John Bruins. A total of ten children born to Wilma and John, Myrna was their first daughter.  They lived on the family farm, worked hard and times were tough.

In 1948 Myrna headed out west to Oregon. This is where she met, and married Clifford Woodell. Myrna and Cliff had one son, Douglas Woodell, and he was her whole life.

Myrna was always up for a stock car race, back in the day, she would race in the powder puff derby driving a pink ford. She also could be seen in the Purple People Eater Car.  Many stories of her being one crazy lady behind the wheel.

Myrna and Cliff had many business adventures: The C&M Auto on Jefferson, An ambulance service, A quick delivery service, The Rainbow Truck Stop and Coffee Pot Cafe, and The Fountain.

In the 70's Myrna went to college and got a teaching degree. She taught Spanish at Union High School. This was a short-lived dream that ended due to health reasons. It was at this time she started her lawn care business. For the last several years you would see her around town mowing lawns, cleaning business, washing windows, shoveling snow, and driving that truck and trailer around town on two wheels most of the time. You could say she was a La Grande Icon and will always be remembered for that red updo hairstyle that she fashioned.  Myrna made sure her hair was done weekly. It was a bonus that her sister Sally was her hairdresser.

Surviving relatives include her sister Sally and Thomas Roe of La Grande, brother James and Vicki Bruins of Hermiston, brother Oscar Bruins of Heber Springs Arkansas, and sister Lila and Tim May of Las Vegas.  Many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford, son Douglas, sisters Marilyn Winterton, Caroline Odermott, Sharon Belcher.

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