Obituary of Ethel Palanuk

Ethel went to be with the Lord on October 10, 2013, due to age-related causes. She was born in Albany, OR on December 23, 1918 and would have been 95 years old this December. Her parents were Walter and Ludmilla (Millie) Hornback. She was the eighth of nine children.A Funeral Service will be held at Musgrove Family Center, In Eugene, Wednesday, October 23rd at 11:00 am. with a reception to follow. A public viewing will be Tuesday, October 22nd from 12:00 to 5:00 at Musgrove Family Mortuary. A commital to follow services will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park.She married Julian Palanuk on September 5, 1942. They had one daughter, Dana Lynne (Palanuk) Lonberg and one grandson, Lonnie Jay "Baby Jay" Lonberg. They all preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by 6 sisters and 2 brothers.Ethel's family moved from Albany to the Creswell area when she was 3 years old. They moved to the Eugene area when she was 5 years old and she lived there ever since. She loved Eugene.She worked at the new cafeteria at Sacred Heart Hospital in the 1940's. She also worked at the first Goodwill store in Eugene and at the cafeteria at Roosevelt School when it was first built.Ethel joined the First Baptist Church in Eugene in 1950. She always loved the original church on Broadway and High Street downtown. She loved all of her Christian friends. Ethel had many good friends at the Olive Plaza in Eugene. She considered them her second family.She loved people and was a very outgoing person. Ethel loved walking the hills above the Laurelwood Golf Course, near her home in Eugene. She had to give up her long daily walks after double hip replacement and a total knee replacement, in the late 1990's. After she recovered from these surgeries she returned to daily walking. She would walk at least 12 blocks daily, some uphill. As she got older and more unstable on her feet she would occasionally take walks with a friend.In April of 2012 she moved out of her home of 65 years, that her husband built. She had to move out for her own safety and well-being. She moved into an Assisted Living facility in Eugene. It was a very difficult time in her life, as she loved her home.Ethel loved to dance. When she was in high school, she would go out dancing 7 nights a week at the Jeff Beach dance hall, which is now Owens Rose Garden.Her survivors include numerous family members.We want to thank the staff and caregivers at Sheldon Park Assisted Living and Memory Care for all of their love and compassion. Also, thanks to Sacred Heart Hospice.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or a charity of your choice.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com