Darla Joy Salo

Darla Joy Salo passed away on Jan. 14 in St. Helens of natural causes.

Darla was born on Aug. 8, 1943, in Riverside, California, to Easton “Orin” Gredvig and Doris Gredvig. Soon after Darla was born, her father was stationed overseas in the U.S. Army during World War II, and Darla and her mother moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota, to be closer to family.

In 1947, Darla, her grandparents, parents and sister headed out west to Portland, to embark on a new journey. Her grandfather was a developer, and her father opened the family plumbing business.

Darla graduated from Sunset High School in Beaverton in 1961. After high school, Darla worked as a secretary in the family business, Sunset Valley Plumbing. Sometime after, she worked in a secretarial position at Western Wood Products in downtown Portland.

In 1983, Darla married Terry Salo. It was then that she started her life in her beloved home in Astoria. She helped Terry run his fishing business. The door to their home was always open to family and friends, and the iconic kitchen table was a place familiar to many as a gathering spot.

Darla and Terry were members of Peace Lutheran Church, Astoria Elks, Astoria Eagles, Seaside Moose and the Astoria American Legion.

Darla and Terry loved spending time traveling. They took a trip to Finland and spent time traveling across the U.S. They loved taking camping trips with their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Annually, they traveled down the Pacific Coast in their travel trailer as snowbirds to Yuma, Arizona.

In 1999, Terry suddenly passed away during one of their trips to Yuma. Darla found love again in 2001 with her special companion, Kent Johnson. They spent 19 years together until Kent’s passing in 2020.

During that time, Darla was blessed with an extended family of Kent’s children and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: two sons, Darren (Maria) Johnson and Todd Johnson; as well of four grandsons, Tucker Johnson, Jalmer-Daniel Johnson, Sven-Kristian Johnson and Jack Johnson.

Darla had a heart of gold and an infectious laugh. She loved with her whole heart, and was always up for a good joke. She gave to various charities as often as possible. Darla even donated her kidney to her baby brother, Tommy. She loved children, and her best moments were spent with her friends and family.

She enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, reading and bingo at the American Legion. She was loved dearly by so many and will be greatly missed.

Darla is preceded in death by her parents, Orin and Doris Gredvig; brothers, Scott and Thomas Gredvig; husband, Terry Salo; and special companion, Kent Johnson.

Darla is survived by her sister, Susan Gredvig (Steve), of Lake Tahoe, California; daughter, Sue Smith, of Yorba Linda, California; stepson, Bryan Salo, of Astoria; five grandchildren, Bryson Smith and Sydney Smith, of Yorba Linda, Jordan Salo, of Los Angeles, and Camryn Salo and Dylan Salo of Boise, Idaho; two sisters-in-law, Deborah Gredvig, of Virginia, and Carol Beauchamp, of Hillsboro; and two brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law, Myron and Bonnie Salo, of Portland, and Jeffrey and Deborah Salo, of Newberg.

She is also survived by a nephew, Justin Gredvig, of Virginia; two nieces, Melissa (Nick) Brown, of Boring, and Dora (Ben) Silberman, of Aloha; great-nephews, Cody Brown, of San Diego, Brantley Brown, of Boring, Asher Silberman, of Aloha, and Brennan Gredvig, of Virginia; great-niece, Chloe Silberman, of Aloha; and beloved friends and caregivers, Merle and Karen Royce, of Plains, Montana, Miki Frace and Mel Johnson, Dorothy Frace, Sharon Witsberger, Buddy Hoell and Bruce and Suzie Conner, all of Astoria; as well as numerous cousins and friends whom Darla loved so dearly.

A celebration of life will be held at the Astoria American Legion at 2 p.m. on April 20.
In lieu of flowers, please share Darla’s love of giving by donating to a charity of your choice.