Baker City, Oregon
Victor O. Neiger, 96, a longtime Baker City resident, died Aug. 27, 2001, at his home.
Vigil services will be today at 7 p.m. at St. Francis deSales Cathedral. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral. Most Reverend Elden F. Curtiss, Archbishop of Omaha, and Reverend John R. Jasper of St. Francis deSales Cathedral will concelebrate. Vault interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Visitations will be today until 5 p.m. at the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Mr. Neiger was born March 20, 1905, in Trzic, Slovenia. In 1912, he came to America with his mother and sister, Mary. His father had come over two years earlier and worked in the coal mines in Rock Springs, Wyo., until he could send for the rest of his family. His family resided there until moving to Cove in 1919, when Mr. Neiger was 14 years old.
He worked at various labor jobs, but especially enjoyed picking fruit. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934. On May 22, 1937, he married Helen Guyer in Weiser, Idaho. From this union his three children, Corrine, Dick and Sherry, were born. After their marriage, they returned to Baker City.
In 1943, Mr. Neiger entered World War II where he guarded prisoners until his discharge in 1945. Prior to the war, he owned and operated the Western Auto store in Baker City. After the war, he worked for California-Pacific Utilities Company for 18 years until his retirement.
Mr. Neiger loved the mountains, fishing and camping with his family. He was very athletic and excelled in baseball, swimming and boxing. He had a profound love for music and he loved to sing along with his family and friends whenever the opportunity arose.
He is survived by his daughter, Corrine Blair of Corvallis; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kathy Neiger of Germany; and daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Rick Davidson of Beaverton; grandsons, Richard Blair, Robert Blair, Erick Davidson and Jeremy Davidson; granddaughters, Christina Vinson and Sarah Metlen; a brother, William Neiger of Portland; sisters, Oberta Lich of Southern California, Marcella Smith of Bend; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his mother, Frances, and father, Frank; two sisters, Christina and Mary; and a baby brother, Guito, who died in Slovenia.
Contributions in Mr. Neiger’s memory may be directed to Pathway Hospice. This may be done through Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, Ore., 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 31, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
