Ira Dell Kilgore

Ira Dell Kilgore peacefully passed away on Sunday January 28th, 2024, at her home in Terrebonne, Oregon. She was surrounded by her loving family who paid tribute to her incredible 97 years of life.

Ira Dell’s journey began June 1st, 1926, when she was born to her wonderful parents Ira “Ike” and Lillie Carter. She was born in Johnson City, Kansas and was appropriately a member of what is known as The Greatest Generation. She was the middle child of Ike and Lillie, with her older sister Maxine and younger brother Sidney.

When Ira Dell was the age of 10, her family headed West to Oregon to escape the infamous Dust Bowl. They settled in Powell Butte, Oregon and later she graduated from Redmond High School in 1944. Soon thereafter, while working at the local record store she caught the eye of a young dairyman, Dan Kilgore. Dan and Ira Dell were married on March 9th, 1946.

Ira Dell raised a large hard-working family, while also keeping the books for Kilgore’s Dairy. When it was time for the family to haul hay, she was up at 4am every morning to make a country breakfast and pack hearty lunches. She showed love by cooking, baking, and hosting merry gatherings for her family and life-long friends. An expert gardener, she grew incredible vegetables and was known for her delectable tomatoes. She loved to whale watch at the Oregon Coast and salmon fish in Winchester Bay.

Community Service was important to her. Ira Dell volunteered with the Red Cross, Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon, Start Making a Reader Today (SMART), Deschutes County Fair Buckaroo Breakfast, Deschutes County Elections Office, the Boy Scouts, and the Redmond Blood Drive. She was also a member of the Juniper Literary Club and two “bridge” clubs.

Ira Dell is predeceased by her parents Ike and Lillie Carter, sister Maxine, daughter Bea McCall, daughter Judy Cork, grandson John McCall, and grandson James Kilgore. She is survived by her brother Sidney Carter, son Harold, son Ole, daughter Linda, daughter Vicki Saunders, daughter Carol Richards, and her grandchildren Kevin, Kimberly, Cameron, Erik, Dale Cork, and James McCall. She is also blessed with 18 great grandchildren.

There will be a viewing open to the public from 9am-12pm on Monday February 5th at Redmond Memorial Chapel. This will be followed by a graveside memorial service at Redmond Memorial Cemetery.