Vercouteren, Ordway go down in History

Anita Anthony Ordway and Karl Vercouteren were honored on Saturday, May 3 at the annual luncheon of the Wasco County Pioneers. The Association preserves and retains hundreds of historical photos that demonstrate how Wasco County has evolved through transportation, agriculture, business and social change since the westward movement. Information and Photo courtesy Carolyn Wood

From the Wasco County Pioneers Association:

The Dalles, Ore. May 5, 2025 — Local historians added a couple of names to the pantheon of great ones on Saturday, May 3 as the Wasco County Pioneers honored two of their top volunteers and most valuable players.

The Association named Karl Vercouteren and Anita Anthony Ordway the 2025 Pioneers of the Year at it’s annual luncheon held at the St. Mary’s School in The Dalles, Oregon.

Attendees had the opportunity to view 30 of the association’s collection of over 250 historic picture boards. The meeting was opened by president Steve Conover after a traditional salmon luncheon.

Pioneer Man of the Year Karl Vercouteren

This year’s Pioneer Man Karl Vercouteran followed the trail to Oregon by auto not covered wagon. He came to The Dalles in 1977 from Kentucky to be the pastor of the United Church of Christ, Congregational and served until 2008. His ancestors migrated from Holland and Germany and he and his two brothers were raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He majored in history nearby at Lakeland University and graduated from UCC Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He wrote for the newspaper; “he wrote for people to understand.” He focused on Pacific Northwest history and found a lot of it in The Dalles.

With his love of history he joined the Original County Courthouse and scheduled the February Saturday Lectures series each year for 48 years. He sings with the Cascade Singers. He researched and wrote the Blog that became the text of the two books “All Together The Dalles” & “Too” for the architectural montage at 811 E. 2nd Street during Covid. He was one of the historians researching and selecting the fifteen mural subjects for the Mural Fest of 2022. He also researched and wrote “Now Playing at the Vogt: The Dalles Forgotten Opera House” in 2017.

An active Kiwanian Vercouteran organizes the parade lineup for the parades and plans the decorations for the Kiwanis train engine float. He plays Christmas songs on the melodica for the Salvation Army donation kettle at Christmas. He also promotes information about music events and history happenings to a long list of friends and others by emails. He is a highly respected community leader, promotor, organizer, emcee and gardener and the go-to-guy for questions on local life.

He and his wife, Jean, an educator and also historian, remain in The Dalles to retire. They like to travel to music festivals and back to Wisconsin to visit family. They have 2 children Kris and Jacob and one grandchild.

Pioneer Woman of the Year Anita Anthony Ordway

This year’s Pioneer Woman of the Year Anita Anthony Ordway is a 5th generation Oregonian. Her great-great grandmother, Mary Pigget, came to America from Ireland and then traveled around Cape Horn by ship to Oregon. Her great-great grandfather, Milo Cushing, came to The Dalles with U.S. Grant’s troops on horseback to Fort Dalles. They met here and married then homesteaded near Cushing Falls south of Seufert Park on 15 Mile Creek. Their son, William married Josephine Kneble and enlarged the Cushing Ranch. Anita’s grandfather Eble J. Anthony married Elizabeth Cushing; he helped on the farm and worked for the railroad and telegraph office.

Her father, James Anthony was a farm equipment mechanic repairing tractors and combines for local farmers. He married Viola Oades from Pleasant Ridge. Anita is related to the Rondeau, Cushing, Howell, Oades, Anthony, Campbell, Remington, Wagonblast and Metteer families all early settlers of North Wasco County.

Ordway attended St. Mary’s School, graduated from The Dalles High School 1960 and attended Beauty school in Walla Walla. She married her high school sweet heart Gayle Ordway; he began a career in the Navy in submarines. They followed his military career and raised 3 children, a girl and 2 boys. They returned to the Willamette Valley in 1980 where the children finished school, She worked as a secretary for the Tualatin School District and he pursued a career as electrical technician in the telecommunications commissioning telephone systems. Upon retirement they returned to The Dalles to live on her grandfather’s farm on Pleasant Ridge where her mother grew up and she has so many fond memories.

The Ordway’s joined the Pioneer Association and Anita with her expert secretary skills has been the secretary of the Pioneers Association for nearly 10 years. She also is a DAR member and is an expert historic costume designer and seamstress. She likes all things historic and keeps track of her large extended family and 9 grandchildren.

Wasco County Pioneer Association holds their annual meeting the first Saturday in May. Anyone with an interest in history of Wasco County may become a member. For more information contact The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center or the Fort Dalles Museum.