Orchid Marie (Howard) Mix Aug. 25, 1925 - Oct. 25, 2022 Orchid Marie (Howard) Mix died Tuesday, October 25, 2022, of natural causes at the age of 97 in Albany, Oregon. She was born August 25, 1925, on the 14th floor of the Eugene Hotel in Eugene Oregon to William Howard and Violet M. Howard.

Orchid Marie graduated from Albany High School in 1943 and went on to Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon (now known as Western Oregon University) to receive her teaching certificate in 1945. Her first teaching position was in Tangent, Oregon and later transferred to Waverly Elementary School in Albany.

She met Leonard Joe Mix in Albany, Oregon prior to his enlistment in the Navy during WWII. Leonard was discharged from the service in February 1946. They were married one month later on March 22, in Albany. Orchid continued teaching 1st and 2nd grade and Leonard worked at the Albany Laundry.

They moved to Winchester Bay, Oregon in 1961 to remodel The Bay Motel and established Len's Trailer Sales in Reedsport, Oregon in 1963. Orchid continued teaching at Highland Elementary in Reedsport until retirement.

After retirement, they moved to Hemet, California and then Mesa, Arizona where they enjoyed many years of square dancing and pursuing their hobbies. Leonard became proficient in stained glass art with Orchid's help with choice of glass and color coordination and she enjoyed China painting.

She is survived by four children; Lanny R. Mix, Larry C. Mix, Jan M. Mix and Jeffry P. Mix; seven grandchildren; and sixteen great grandchildren. One additional child, Steven L. Mix died in an auto accident June 1973 at the age 19. Leonard died on August 9, 2001. They were married 56 years.

Orchid's celebration of life will be at 11 am on Saturday, Nov. 12 at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. A reception with buffet lunch to follow. Private burial will take place at Reedsport Masonic Cemetery.