Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1905
• Residence: 1910, Crane, Oregon
• Residence: 1918, Crane, Oregon
• Residence: 1920, Boise, Idaho; Lodgers at Yribar's boarding house, 401 Idaho Street

Notes:

Christened:
BAUTISMO
Nombre: Jose Ygnacio
Apellidos: Echaniz, Yriarte
Fecha: 1885-01-06
Padre: Jose Maria, Echaniz, Elordi
Madre: Maria Bernarda, Yriarte, Alcorta
Fondo: Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, en MUTRIKU
Título: 20º Bautismos
Folio/Página: 56
Nº Partida: 3

Jose married Maria Josefa Pagoaga Aristondo on 28 Aug 1917 in Boise, Idaho. Maria (daughter of Jose Maria Pagoaga Cendoya and Maria Concepcion Aristondo Galzacorta) was born on 25 Nov 1896 in Mutriku, Gipuzkoa; died on 08 Feb 1991 in Ontario, Oregon; was buried in Sunset Cemetery, Ontario, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Andy Echanis, a long time Pendleton resident and businessman, known for
decades as Andy "Blitz" throughout Umatilla and Morrow counties, died
early Sunday evening, July 8. He was 93 years old.

Born Andres Jose Echanis, June 12th, 1919 at a Basque boarding house on
Grove Street in Boise, Idaho. He was the eldest of five children of Ignacio
"Jack" Echanis and Maria Pagoaga, both Basque immigrants from Spain. He
grew up in Ontario, Oregon in his family-owned boarding house for Basque
sheep herders. All through his school years he excelled in sports; football,
basketball, and baseball. Also, as a teenager and a young man he worked as
a camp tender in his family sheep business in the Steens mountains area of
southeast Oregon. It is estimated that he has his named carved on close to
500 trees on the mountain dating back to the 1930's which are now part of a
historical landmark in that area. He had provided a good deal of oral history
for the Boise Basque Museum on his subject, as well as his experience in
meeting new Basque immigrants to the Ontario Area at the train station and
orienting them to the town as he spoke fluent Basque.

Andy graduated from Ontario High School in 1939 and attended Oregon
State University on a baseball scholarship until he joined the United States
Marine Corps in 1942. He was promoted to the rank of master Tech
Sergeant. He was also designated as a rifle marksman and air crafter armory
specialist. He served in the Marshall Island Operations specifically on
Midway Island and Guam in the south Pacific during World War II.

After his discharge in 1945, he returned to Ontario and worked various jobs,
mostly related to the beverage industry. Eventually, he became the district
sales representative for Lucky Lager beer in Yakima, Washington. In
January 1953, he married Lucy McKnight and his son and daughter were
born in Yakima.

In 1956, he moved to Pendleton after purchasing Umatilla Distributing, a
beer and wine sales company. The business grew and prospered over the
next 28 years until its sale in 1984. He became known as Andy "Blitz"
because Blitz-Weinhard was one of the name brand beers that he sold which
he made very popular in this area.

Besides being known for his capacity for hard work, he had a great love for
hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Andy also enjoyed cooking specialty
Basque dishes learned in his early sheep camp days. He specialized in Dutch
oven campfire bread and worked on many of the large lamb barbecues put
on by Mario's Basque Barbecue in this area. After his retirement from the
beer business, he worked well into his 80's at the Rainbow Cafe on Main
Street in Pendleton arriving sometimes as early as 4:30 am to oversee its
opening at 6 am of the bar and restaurant as a relief manager for his long
term friend, Don Webb.

In June 1975, he married Thelma Purcell of Pendleton, they were married
for 37 years.

Andy is proceeded in death by his parents and one brother. Cam Echanis.
Besides his wife, Thelma, he is survived by a daughter Paula Rosenberg,
Pendleton, and a son Carols Echanis, East Hampton, New York. Also, a step
son and daughter, Bruce Purcell and Kirn Hinkle, both of Pendleton. Seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Two younger brothers, John and
Frank Echanis and a sister, Josephine Keim, all of Ontario, survive as well.

In lieu of a funeral service a celebration of life will be held at the Pendleton
Elks Lodge on Saturday, July 14 2012 at 1 pm. Donations in Andy's name
may be made to the local Humane Society or to the Ontario Basque
Museum.

Andres married L. McKnight [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Andres married T. Purcell [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Carmelo married Lourana Preston in 1947. Lourana was born on 3 Nov 1925 in Great Falls, Montana; died on 16 Sep 2023 in Ontario, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Ontario Basque Club: Charter Member

Notes:

Obituary of Josephine M Keim
Josephine Martina Echanis Keim, 98 of Ontario, Oregon passed peacefully at home Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Josephine, was born September 19th 1923, to Ygnacio “Jack” and Maria Echanis who emigrated from Spain to the US in the early 1900’s.

Josephine’s family operated a sheep business in the Steens Mountains and then opened their home for a Basque Boarding house in 1922 where the sheep herders from Spain had a place to live. Josephine helped her mother prepare meals for her family and boarders, gardened, canned fruits and vegetables, and cleaned the 15 room house after school. She also acted as an interpreter for the boarders when making banking decisions and business transactions. Their home became a landmark in Ontario because of its importance for the local history of the Basque people and a gathering place for the boarders and families of the Basques community in the surrounding area. The home hosted the first Basque dance in the boarding house in 1942.

Josephine married Charles (Chick) Keim in 1956. They resided in the Boarding House as she continued to work and care for her family and parents. Together, they raised three children, Tom, Mary Jo, and Tony. She was active in her children’s school activities, field trips, religious education, and would always have fresh baked goodies for everyone who visited their home. She welcomed everyone who walked in the door. She spoiled her four brothers and loved each of her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. She loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports and traveled to attend their sporting events. If she was unable to attend, she would sit by the radio and listened to each play and knew each player on the team. She was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Altar Society and helped to form the Ontario Basque Club in 1947. She was inducted into the Basque Hall of Fame in 2007 which was featured in New York, and she documented her families’ Basque history in 2016 which can be seen at the Boise Basque Museum in Boise, Idaho.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Charles (Chick) Keim, her four brothers, Andres, Carmelo, John and Frank Echanis, her parents Jack and Maria Echanis, her Sisters-in-law Pat, Lucey and Delores Echanis, nephew Mike Echanis, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her son Tom Keim and Jan Pennington, her daughter Mary Jo and husband Brett Flynn, and her son Tony Keim and Kellie Russell. She loved her 13 grand-children; Greg Keim, Jake & Joey Zabala, Toby, Keanna, Kylee, and Kody Keim, Healther and Carra Flynn, Samantha Herrera, Matison & Abigail Youngblood, and Erik Perkins. She adored her eight great-grandchildren; Sage & Jack Keim, Hadley & Ryan Lassandro, Jayce and Ava McClure, and Whitney and Ava Perkins, and her sister-in-law Lourena Echanis and numerous nieces and nephews that were an active part of her life whom she loved dearly.

We will remember Josephine for the unconditional love and acceptance that she had for her family and friends. Thank you Amuma for the coffee at your kitchen table, for sharing all of your stories, and for all of your love that made us feel we were at home. We Love You!

The family would like to thank Dr. Nani Cabrera and the staff of Heart ‘n Home Hospice for the care they gave to Josephine.

Josephine’s celebration of life hill be held Saturday, Sept. 24th. 2022 at 11:00 am in Ontario at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with a reception following the Mass. Rosary will be held at 10:30 am preceding the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ontario Basque Club in Ontario or to St Peter’s School in Ontario in Josephine’s behalf.

Arrangements by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.

Family/Spouse: Charles Keim. Charles died on 29 Jun 2016 in Ontario, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary of John L. Echanis
John Louis Echanis, 95, of Ontario, Oregon passed away peacefully Thursday, October 1, 2020 with his daughter at his side.

John, commonly known as “Johnny or Uncle John”, to friends and family was born March 26, 1925 to Ignacio “Jack” and Maria Echanis. He was a father to Annette Echanis and loving grandfather to Hannah and Cole Cooper.

John was a lifelong resident of Ontario where he graduated high school and was an enthusiast of almost every organized sport. John participated in basketball, baseball and track and served as the football team manager and captain of the basketball team. Several years later, John was a member of the American Legion basketball team where they won a championship trophy, a basketball referee and organizer of youth athletic teams.

In 1943, John joined the United States Army and served in WWII as a rifleman in the 129th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Division serving in New Caledonia, the Solomons and Luzon Island. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart medal for wounds sustained in action in the Philipine Campaign and the Bronze Service Star for “heroic achievement”,

John worked in the beverage distributing business for a large portion of his life where he gained many friends throughout the Treasure Valley. One of the first questions he asked when meeting a new person was “where are you from?”. He usually knew either a friend or relative of every new acquaintance. John owned a triplex in Ontario and enjoyed tinkering with irrigation systems and home repairs. He enjoyed traveling to visit his daughter and her family as they moved around the country. The highlight of his travels was a trip to Spain to visit the Basque country where his parents were born and raised, as the Basque heritage is a fundamental aspect of life for the Echanis family.

He is survived by his daughter Annette and her husband Matt Cooper of Pennsylvania and California; granddaughter, Hannah Cooper, VMD of Kennewick, WA; grandson, Cole Cooper of Seattle, WA; his beloved sister, Josephine Keim of Ontario, OR; Timothy and Tamara Cables and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt word of thanks to Josephine Keim and her family for helping John in many ways throughout his life; to the loving caregivers at Dorian Place and Horizon Hospice for allowing John to live with dignity in the final years of his life, and to the many friends he has made throughout the valley who made his life complete.

Graveside services will be held at Sunset Cemetery in Ontario on October 23rd at 1:00 P.M. Due to the current restrictions on gatherings, Attendance will be limited to family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his honor to the National Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements and Services by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario

Family/Spouse: Delores Blanton. Delores was born on 14 Oct 1929; died on 20 Jan 2021. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

08/17/2019 - Boise, ID, USA

Francisco "Frank" Benito Echanis passed away peacefully on August 17, 2019 in Boise, ID.

Frank was born on October 11, 1927 in Ontario, Oregon to Ygnacio 'Jack and Maria Echanis. Frank was the youngest of five siblings, Andy (deceased), Cam (deceased), Josephine (Ontario) and Johnny (Ontario) in Ontario, OR. Jack along with his wife Maria and his brother's Ben and Joe were sheepherders in the Steen's Mountains outside of Burns Oregon.

Frank grew up in the Basque boarding house in Ontario and was great friends with the shepherding who worked for his father.

Frank attended school in Ontario and between his junior and senior year he entered the war effort. He enlisted into the

Navy on June 1945 and was honorably discharged on August 1946. After returning from the Navy, Frank resumed high school to graduate from OHS in 1947. Frank enjoyed athletics, in particular basketball. With a year of maturity under his belt, "Lanky Frankie" was one of the best players in the Treasure Valley. Though he had an offer to play college basketball (Boise Junior College), he elected to remain in Ontario. He was employed by the Oregon State Highway Dept and worked on the survey crew and a couple nights a week he bartended at the Ontario Elks Lodge. Frank chose to stick around Ontario for his love of family and his passion for hunting and fishing. His mother encouraged Frank and brother Cam to hunt and fish to help supplement the boarding house meals. At times, over supplementation… Frank's friend pool was not limited to age, gender, race or religion. One of his friends over the years was Inez Wilson.

She and her husband, Dick, ran the fuel bulk storage, Signal Oil, facility in Ontario. Inez always thought the world of Frank. When her daughter Patsien returned from college, Inez was set her daughter becoming Mrs. Frank Echanis.

After many attempts to have Frank 'accidently' meet up with her daughter, Inez' master plan finally paid off. On Sept 14, 1953; Frank married Patsien Wilson in Nevada. Pat never let Frank forget that on the day of her marriage, he and her mother went out and had a 'few' cocktails. Being late and a bit tipsy for the ceremony, Frank was never allowed to live that pre-function down.

Frank and long time friend, Ray Plaza, purchased and operated Plaza's Tavern. Frank and Ray created a partnership that built an institution. Frank and Ray had the ability to make everyone feel like they were part of their family. Many life time friends came from their time owning the tavern. Many of these stories and events may soon be available under the Freedom of Information Act, possibly…. After selling the bar in 1978, Frank worked for Shunn Construction. He worked in the construction field until 1990. He enjoyed working with the pipe crew and most of all he gained a great friend, George Bezates. Frank thoroughly enjoyed working with the crew and observing the post work antics.

When Frank fully retired, he and his accomplice, Arnie Finkbeiner, enjoyed outdoor activities. Watching sports was enjoyable but fishing and hunting were
heir passion. Arnie was a novice at these activities, Frank was more than willing to share his skills with Arnie. Frank's his high patience level was often tested by his new partner. Frank enjoyed Arnie's company and his eagerness to explore. Together Frank (creator) and Arnie (test pilot) developed and create the fish killer, "The Basco Bobbler" currently under patent pending and Oregon State Fish and Game investigation. They both fully enjoyed retirement and socializing with the entire Treasure Valley. On any given day these two and an occasional friend, would be seen Brian Coleman's Service in Harper, Midvale, Owyhee reservoir or Brownlee reservoir….these two were always on the move.

After the death of his wife Pat in 2013 and a health setback in March of 2015, Frank moved to Boise for his remaining days. He no longer made jerky but he delivered treats to his friends, the same Frank, different address. Few people ever lived a life as full of laughter, love and friendship than 'Uncle Frank'. He rarely left Ontario because everything he loved was there. His needs were small and his willingness to share his time and love was as large as his life. How many kids did he teach to bait a hook or shoot a gun? Countless…

Frank always a stash of jerky in his truck to pass out, often delivered fresh fish loaned money to someone in need.

Frank, and his wife Pat, were always there when you needed them whether it be a place to stay, a meal or someone to listen to your troubles. He and his wife lived a life with a willingness to help anyone. Yet many often were also a victim of one of his many of practical joke, ask his beloved sister Josephine, or his good friend George, Ruth or his children. But this behavior was only partially his fault…Carmelo, his brother, and Father Kirkpatrick trained him well. He was the last to carry out their loving humor, it was a joy for all of us who knew and loved him.

Pat and Frank raised four children: Mike (deceased), Frankie (Portland/Mexico City), Liz (Meridian) and Cam (Boise). We would also like to make special thanks for Father Jos, George Bezates, Margie, Bradi Fritz and his favorite person, his sister Josephine Keim.

Frank's celebration of life reception will be held Saturday, Sept 14, 2019 at 11:00 in Ontario at the Blessed Sacrament Church with a reception following the mass. This date would also be Pat and Frank's 66th wedding anniversary.

Please in lieu of flower or gift, please make contributions to the Ontario Basque Club on his behalf.

(published in Idaho Statesman, Legacy.com on Sept. 1, 2019)

Francisco married Patsien W. Wilson in Sep 1953 in Winnemucca, Nevada. Patsien was born on 06 Mar 1932 in Brawley, California; died on 29 Dec 2013 in Ontario, Oregon; was buried in Sunset Cemetery, Ontario, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: M. Van Rooy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: B. Tharp. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: M. McGinley. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: N. Merriman. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: M. Cooper. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: L. Fritts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]