Catherine Minnie Weagant-Payne

Catherine Minnie Weagant Payne, 96, of Astoria, died Thursday, June 24, 2010, in Astoria.

She was born Jan. 1, 1914, in Douglas County, Wash., to Chan and Elizabeth Ellen (Massie) Weagant.

Raised in various locations of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, the family traveled by wagon and worked at harvesting crops. At age 16, her family was going to travel to Texas, when her mother became ill and died in Lakeview.

She married George A. "Chock" Gardner in Harper. He preceded her in death. The couple had six children. In 1942, the family moved to Orofino, Idaho, and resided there for 10 years. In 1952, they moved to Vale.

In the 1960s, she moved to Olympia, Wash., and married Bill Miller. He preceded her in death in 1971.

In 1982, she married Al Benson in Olympia. He preceded her in death.

In 1995, at the age of 81, she married Clyde Payne. He preceded her in death.

Mrs. Payne moved to the Clatsop County area in 2001 to live close to her daughter and family.

She was a member of the Astoria Christian Church, the Lioness Organization and the Senior Citizens Choir in Tumwater, Wash. She was also a member and past grand worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Olympia, Wash.

Family members said her hobbies included painting, hiking, dancing and gardening.

She is survived by a daughter, Lavina Jones of Astoria; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Bill and Angie Gardner of Superior, Mont., and Virgil Gardner of Deary, Idaho; 16 grandchildren, Steve White, Donna Lamb, Teresa Gardner and Cathy West, all of Idaho, Dan Jones of Everett, Wash., Jess Jones and his wife, Laura, of Dallesport, Wash., Randy Jones and his wife, Regina, of Beaverton, Candy Muehlhauser and her husband, Mike, of Astoria, Jim Woods of Unity, Bob Mahan and his wife, Annette, of Vale, Cody Gardner and his wife, Brandy, of Superior, Logan Gardner of Arizona, David Gardner of Scio, Danny Gardner and his wife, Angel, of Deary and John and Golda Gardner of Portland; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by five sisters; one brother; a daughter, Bette "Vance" White; two sons, Dale and Jack Gardner; and a grandson, Bert "Rusty" Gardner.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27 and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 28 at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 28 at the Astoria Christian Church, 1151 Harrison Ave.

Interment will be at Valley View Cemetery in Vale.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Astoria Christian Church, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.