Elner Joan Woodard

Elner Stiffler Woodard was born in Springfield, Oregon August 18,1925. The third child of Doris Rutledge.

She lived in Siletz, Oregon until the age of eleven, moving to the Springfield home of her maternal grandmother, Stella Lybarger, after the death of her mother.

She married Ronald Wayne Woodard May 23, 1942 in Wichita Falls, Texas where Ronald was attending aircraft maintenance school in the army.

Elner moved to Olympia, Washington while pregnant with her son Ronald Woodard II.

Following World War II, Elner and Ronald welcomed Jacque Joan to the family and built a house for the expanding family. Several years later they moved to Springfield, where they added another child, Marilyn Kay, building another house and lived until 1963.

Elner was an active parent, excellent cook, avid reader, and enjoyed her home and children. She was a Cub Scout, Girl Scout and 4-H leader. She was active in the Parent Teacher Association and the Rebaccas Lodge. She was known by the beautiful cakes she decorated for weddings and birthdays. In 1963 Elner and Ronald bought the Napa Auto Parts store in Lincoln City. Elner kept the books and assisted in the business. In 1980 they retired to Salem. They spent their winters in Yuma, Arizona and traveled with friends.

In 1998 Elner and Ronald found it necessary to move to Quail Run assisted living in Albany, where Ronald passed away in 2013. Elner's declining health made a move to the Mennonite Home necessary in August 2014.

Elner was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Woodard, her parents, siblings and son-in-law Larry Van Damme.

She is survived by 3 children: Ronald Woodard II of Lincoln City, Jacque Van Damme of Otis, and Marilyn (Derek) Barclay of Corvallis, 3 grandchildren: Susanna Aston, Jeremy Van Damme, Jessica (Don) Sacrison, and 8 great-grandchildren.