Herbert Theodore Strunk

Heaven gained another great gardener on Saturday, May 28, when Herb (Herbie) Strunk left this earth peacefully; expect to see sunflowers and brown-eyed susans popping up soon! Herb\u0027s life began on a farm in Woodward, Oklahoma as one of 15 children raised by Ernest and Floe Strunk. An opportunity in the Klamath Falls, Oregon area led the family west in the 1930\u0027s where Herb spent his youth before serving three years in the Armed Forces. During his years in the hospitality industry, he crossed paths with his beloved Arlene Hellenga during her vacation stay at the Winema Hotel in 1954. Early in 1957, Herb traversed east to Three Oaks, Michigan; facing winter snows and a not-so-approving Ernest Hellenga to reunite with his soon-to-be bride, Arlene. The couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on January 24, 2016 and Herb celebrated his 88th birthday on April 24, 2016. Herb and Arlene moved to Bend, Oregon in 1964 to raise their two daughters away from the crazy hours of owning and managing The Ranch Club in Malin, Oregon. The Bend house soon became known for Herb\u0027s well-kept yard, mini-orchard, vegetable garden and dozens and dozens of sunflowers that towered over the five-foot garden fence. People also recognized Herb for his tan physique working in the yard and the friendly wave he had for all who passed by. When retirement from Gilchrist Timber allowed the Strunks to head south in the winter, the garden became home for a sea of brown-eyed susans. Herb shared flowers, plants, seeds, tree seedlings and more with passersby, friends and family. And speaking of sharing, he was also known as the \u0026quot;Candyman\u0026quot; for the piles of candy he would carry to share with waitresses (as part of generous cash tips) and the passing school children. The Candyman role continued at favorite casinos and restaurants over the winters that the Strunks spent in Laughlin, Nevada; Bullhead City, Arizona; and St. George, Utah. In addition to making sure that casino staff had plenty of \u0026quot;vitamins\u0026quot; (aka candy), Herb was also an ace poker player - both at the table and the video machines. Whenever the summer season brought them back to Oregon, the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde was their second home. The Strunks loved taking family trips in Oregon, including time on the northern coast, trips to see Packy at the then Portland Zoo and Cultus Lake. Herb love hunting for agates at Oregon beaches and returned to his favorite spots (like cardiac hill!) many times, resulting in buckets of rocks that decorated the Bend yard. Their love of animals didn\u0027t change when they started retirement journeys - if they didn\u0027t have a pet of their own, they fed whatever came to visit them - whether it was a roadrunner, cat or coyote. Grand Ronde became their permanent home in 2011 until worsening dementia made it necessary to be closer to family and assistance. Herb and Arlene moved to Portland in November 2015. A cancer diagnosis in January hastened Herb\u0027s last days yet he kept a twinkle in his blue eyes, a sweet smile on his face and always a wave during the many challenges that followed. He is survived by his wife, Arlene; four children: Dawna, Ted, Deana and Cindy; daughter-in-law, Annie; son-in-laws Daniel and Kevin; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren."",