- Date Of Birth: April 18, 1925
- Date Of Death: May 8, 2020
- State: Idaho
Martina Echanis
April 18, 1925 – May 8, 2020
Martina Echanis, 95, of Ontario, Oregon passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020 at Pioneer Place Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Center in Vale, Oregon.
Martina was born to Jose and Claudia Yraguen on April 18, 1925 when the family was living at the Bully Creek Ranch just outside of Vale, Oregon. She attended school in Vale until she reached the age of 15 which was the cut-off age for schooling for all of the Yraguen children.
Martina lived with her sister Timmie and her family for several years after her schooling ended in Vale. At the early age of 16, she began a 6-month apprenticeship to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a beautician. After successfully completing her apprenticeship, she attended beauty school in Portland, Oregon and lived with long-time friends Walt and Norma Flynn. Martina made money to support herself during this time by cleaning houses and doing other odd jobs. After a lot of hard work and perseverance, she passed the state board tests, and became a certified beautician. She then returned to Ontario, and started her work as a beautician at the Rose Marie Beauty Shop. Martina worked as a beautician up until the time of her son Jim’s birth, but continued to keep her license active.
Martina was an active member of the Ontario Basque Club, and was inducted into the Social Society of Basques Studies Hall of Fame on November 11, 2007 along with 5 other charter members that included her sisters Timmie Echanis and Juanita Hoff, relatives Lourana Echanis and Josephine Keim, and Grace Mainvil. In 1946, the Ontario Basque Club was started by 17 Basque women, and the men finally were allowed to join the club in 1994. The goal of the Basque Club was to preserve Basque Culture, teach children Basque songs and dances, and to raise money for charity. Their efforts have helped to make the Ontario Basque Club what it is today. Martina was especially known for her ability to sell raffle tickets for the annual Ontario Basque Dinner and Dance. She was always the top raffle ticket seller, and wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. She was quite the salesperson.
Martina loved music and dancing, a good party, and her family. She and Lawrence rarely missed a weekend of dancing and high balls at the Ontario Elks Lodge. She enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show every Saturday night, and listening to the music of her favorites George Straight and Perry Como. Martina kept on singing and dancing right to the end.
Martina is survived by her sons, Jim (Mary) Echanis of Ontario, OR, Mike (Dawn) Echanis of Pocatello, ID, Pat (Janet) Echanis of Bend, OR, her daughter, Tina Madarieta of Tualatin, OR, and sister-in-law Babe Yraguen of Vale, OR. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Echanis, infant son, Larry Echanis, her parents Jose and Claudia Yraguen, her brothers Epifanio Yraguen, Bonifacio Yraguen, and Joe Yraguen, and her sisters Timotea Echanis, Juanita Hoff, Mary Arana, and Carmen Hagen.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pioneer Place Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Center for the loving care that they have given our mom during the last chapter of her life. The family would also like to thank Dr. Smith for being her trusted doctor for a good part of her adult life.
