Jo Louise Harvey
Jo Louise Harvey ~ “Ol Ma” passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024. She was born to Grace and Ken Webb on July 5th, 1941. She and her sister Dixie were raised on the Webb Ranch in Tygh Valley, Oregon across from the White River Falls.
She first started school at White River and her first grade teacher was Mrs. Landers, who instilled in her the love of teaching children. After the White River school closed, she finished grammar school at Tygh Valley. Her childhood days were filled with the adventures of a farm girl. A big yard and lots of pets. Cats, dogs, milk cows and calves, chickens, bummer lambs and horses. Friends Marge, Annie, Sharon along with Dixie and Jo would be found on their horses, Moby, Nimbus, Sugar Foot, Reshie, and Baby. Many hours spent riding up and down the valley together.
Grace insisted on piano lessons and dance at Mrs. Borgs. The Wasco County Fair was the highlight of the end of summer. Both girls participated in 4H and showed horses and steers. Every event in her life was made extra special by Gram Belle, who spoiled the girls with special gifts and treats.
High school days at Maupin consisted of Pendleton skirts, Can Cans, Elvis, ball games, dances and sneaking smokes. She worked in the summers in the wheat harvest driving truck.
She attended college in La Grande and studied education. She transferred to Oregon State her sophomore year to be closer to friends. She loved those college years and made life-long friends. After graduating, she taught at Wasco in third grade and that is when she met Rick Harvey. They married in 1965 and went to work on the ranch in Tygh Valley.
Jo and Rick had four children Webb – who proceeded her in death, and surviving children Molly, Zach and Joe. Jo’s life was busy with four kids. Friends can remember the green van, full of kids and groceries with Joey in a box beside her, cigarette in her hand. Happy memories of sleep overs at Nan and Gramps, Thanksgiving dinners and many laughs. Camping trips, sports, horse shows and skiing are some of the best memories. Jo’s home was a welcome spot. Coffee was always on and she always had time for a visit. Once the children were grown, Jo returned to teaching and had many meaningful years at Head Start in Tygh Valley.
Her love of family grew after the birth of her first grandson Gunner. Gunner gave her the name “Ol Ma” and it stuck. Gunnar, Austin, Seth, Logan, Felicity are Webb’s surviving children. Molly and Brian had two sons Guy “Spud” and Quincy Simer. Zach and Lindsey’s children August, Foster and Emerson and Joe and Jennifer’s daughter Madeline Harvey were an important part of her life.
Jo will be laid to rest in the family cemetery at a private graveside service. We will all miss her phone calls. She put your concerns first. You hung up and felt better. She was authentic and gave you permission to be you. Rest in peace Ol Ma.