Alta Elaine Mitchoff was born on May 16, 1932 in Portland, Oregon to Donald and Susan (Unger) McPherson. She attended grade school at Peninsula Elementary and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1950. Alta passed away peacefully on November 30, 2018 in Corvallis with her two daughters by her side.
Alta married George Mitchoff on September 27, 1958. Alta and George began their family life in the Kenton District of North Portland, where they lived on Terry Street. For many years, Alta worked as book keeper for Sam’s Texaco and Towing. Later she applied her skills at Pendleton Woolen Mills. Alta and George moved to Corvallis in 2006 to be closer to family.
Alta was devoted to her community as an activist, gardener, and volunteer. Her community-giving included being a long-standing PTA member of Kenton Elementary, Sunday school teacher at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, was a long-time member of the Kenton Neighborhood Association working on neighborhood clean ups, beautification projects, Historic Kenton Firehouse Committee, Master Gardener of Multnomah and Benton counties, historical author, Peninsula Garden Club member, and a decade-long volunteer with the Portland Marathon. Alta will be remembered by most for her love of gardening that also benefited the greater community. In 1994, Alta received a Spirit of Portland Award as Volunteer of the Year for her work establishing and maintaining the Kenton Neighborhood Rose Garden on Interstate Avenue. “Alta was an exemplary volunteer – deeply and seemingly tireless in her commitment to Kenton.”
Growing up and living in North Portland, Alta wrote a book titled The History of the Kenton Neighborhood to help designate Kenton as a historic district. Between paid work, volunteering, and raising three children, Alta made time to learn to oil paint and become a skilled artist over the years. Many of her beautiful paintings hang on the walls of family, friends, and businesses. When asked why she took on painting she replied, “It helps keep me sane.”
Alta is survived by her husband of 60 years, George; son Michael Mitchoff of Seattle; daughters Mary Van Orden of Eugene and Maureen Puettmann (Klaus) of Corvallis; sister Millie Reakseker (St. Helens); and brother John (Barbara) Matheson of Winlock. She was blessed with three grandchildren Paul Puettmann (Bozeman), Peter Puettmann (Monmouth), and Celia Mitchoff-Lugo (Seattle).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite animal shelter or the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.
