Obituary of Pauline Baltzor

  Pauline Urquiaga Baltzor, 96, of Arock, Oregon passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Autumn Wind Care Center in Caldwell, Idaho at the age of 96.  She was born in Jordan Valley, Oregon on September 21, 1922.  She was one of ten children born to Lazaro Urquiaga and Josefa Aldecoa Urquiaga and raised on the Urquiaga Ranch in Arock, Oregon.

  Growing up in a large Basque sheep ranching family, Pauline had many pleasant memories of doing chores, helping her father with the sheep, haying, and being an all-around tomboy.  She loved horses, cats, dogs, and especially the lambs.  She attended grade school in Arock, Oregon.  In 1937 Pauline experienced her big adventure when she went to live with her older sister Christine and her husband Louis Metcalf to attend high school in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  Being away from her family was difficult for her but she stuck with it, graduated in 1941, and happily returned to Arock.

  On September 16, 1942, Pauline married Walter Baltzor.  Walter worked as a hired hand for local ranches and they lived for a brief time in Burns, Oregon, where Walter worked at the lumber mill.  They were able to purchase a ranch in Arock in 1946 and there they raised their two daughters, Angelia and Christy.  Pauline and Walter ran the ranch until Walter passed away in 1986.  Pauline then leased the ranch but continued to live in her house until 2016 when, at the age of 94, she moved into Jordan Valley with her daughter, Angelia. 

  Pauline is survived by her daughters Angelia Smallwood and Christine (Jeff) Vlieland, grandchildren Laura Camilleri and Sid Stevens, sisters Victoria Eiguren and Cecilia (Sam) Shields, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, brothers Dee and Ed Urquiaga, sisters Christine Metcalf, Ruby Lynde, Elaine Jaca, Mercedes Calzacorta, and Josephine Swisher and infant son, Thomas.

  Services will be held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Jordan Valley, Oregon on Friday, January 18, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.