Saimi Margret Sture

Saimi Margret Sture, 95, of Prineville, formerly of Astoria, died Sunday, March 25, 2012, in Prineville.

She was born June 24, 1916, in Clatskanie, to Johan Arvid and Ida (Karasti) Hurula.

She graduated from Clatskanie High School.

On Nov. 27, 1934, she married Andrew Koskela. The marriage ended in 1938. The couple had one son, who later drowned in a tugboat accident in 1959.

On Oct. 4, 1947, she married John Henry Sture. He preceded her in death Oct. 5, 1989.

Mrs. Sture owned and operated the Workers’ Café in Astoria with her cousin Nara Polkey for several years, and later worked at Uptegrove Lumber Co. as a veneer grader. She also worked as a waitress and fry cook at the Portway Tavern. Her last job was as a nurse’s aide at Crestview Care Center for five years.

Since 1959, she had been a member of the Congregational Church, where she served as secretary of the church and president of the Dorcus Guild for 30 years. She also enjoyed warming up the church and making coffee for 43 years, retiring at the age of 90. She was a member of the Elks Emblem Club, where she served as corresponding secretary for two years. In her later years, she also enjoyed being a coffee hostess at the Astoria Senior Center, where she spent many of her days.

She is survived by a grandson, Michael E. Sture of Salem; a granddaughter, Cindy Wiggins of Prineville; four great-grandchildren, Tyler Wiggins of Bend, Christopher Wiggins of Pasco, Wash., Liane Pierce of Prineville and Cory Wiggins of Hood River; five great-great-grandchildren, Whyley and Wesyn Pierce of Prineville, Zack and Mary Wiggins of Hood River and Miles Wiggins of Pasco; a daughter-in-law, Karen Hamelin of Prineville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family burial took place at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton.

A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Astoria Senior Center, 1111 Exchange St.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com