| Life Story |
Lourita Lynch worked for TKWM in 1910, where she was captured in a group photo of mill employees. Her specific job however, remains unknown. Sisters Nina and Juanita Lynch, also worked at TKWM during this time – Nina and Juanita worked as spoolers in the spinning department.
Lourita Violet Lynch was born on 12 Jan 1896 in Hopewell, Yamhill, Oregon. Her parents were Isaac and Lela (Stephens) Lynch, early pioneers of Yamhill County. Her father held various jobs including farmer, janitor and elevator operator at Salem Bank & Trust in the Guardian Building. Her mother was one of Salem’s first police matrons. Lourita was the youngest of four daughters born to the couple.
By 1913, Lourita was working as a clerk at the F. W. Woolworth store and boarding with her parents at the Salem Bank & Trust building where her father worked.
On 2 Aug 1914, a local newspaper reported that Lourita and a young man named Lester Stiffler had secretly eloped. The following day, Lourita placed a rebuttal to the article refuting the claim. However, on 28 Feb 1915, the couple were officially married in Salem at their new home. Lester was the assistant manager of the Woolworth store where Lourita worked.
Sometime after their marriage, the young couple moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, where Lester managed a Woolworth store. They later returned to Salem, and on 9 Sep 1918, welcomed their first son, James Lester Stiffler. Although his birth certificate listed him as Lester H. Stiffler, all other records refer to him as James Lester. By 1920, the family had returned to Sheridan, Wyoming.
In 1926, the Stifflers were living in Tacoma, Washington, where Lester continued his career with Woolworths. By 1930, they had relocated to San Francisco, California. Their second son, Robert Morse Stiffler, was born there on 24 Aug 1932.
The family remained in California for many years, residing in Beverly Hills by 1935. Lester continued working as a department store manager, likely still with Woolworth. They sold their Beverly Hills home in the summer of 1940.
By 1942, the family had moved back to Washington, settling in Seattle. Lester’s career with Woolworths took him across the West Coast, a testament to his skill and dedication as a manager.
In 1950, the Stifflers were living in Los Angeles, California, where Lester was again managing a store. Throughout their marriage Lourita devoted herself to homemaking and raising their children.
Their son Robert served as a Major in the U.S. Air Force and was awarded the Bronze Star in 1969 for meritorious service during operations against Viet Cong forces. James joined the U.S. Marine Corps and later served as the combat center’s housing officer. In 1980, he received a Length of Service emblem recognizing 30 years of civil service.
Lester Stiffler passed away in Aug 1979 and was buried at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, Orange County, California. Lourita spent her remaining years in Laguna Hills, Orange County, California, and passed away on 29 Oct 2000. She was laid to rest beside her husband. |
| Census Records |
1900 – Loureta Lynch – Age: 5, Birth Date: Jan 1895, Birthplace: Oregon, Home in 1900: Willamette, Yamhill, Oregon, USA – Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to Head of House: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Name: Isaac Lynch: Father’s Birthplace: Oregon, USA – Mother’s Name: Lele Lynch, Mother’s Birthplace: Oregon, USA – Occupation: Student, Attended School: 2, Household members: Isaac Lynch (40), Lele Lynch (34), Ila Lynch (15), Juanita Lynch (12), Nina Lynch (7) Loureta Lynch (5), Frank Switzer (32) boarder.
1910 – Lourita Lynch – Age in 1910: 14, Birth Date: 1896, Birthplace: Oregon, Home in 1910: Salem Ward 4, Marion, Oregon, USA – Street: S 15th St, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to Head of House: Daughter, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Birthplace: Oregon, Mother’s Birthplace: Oregon, Native Tongue: English, Attended School: Y, Able to read: Y, Able to Write: Y, Enumeration District Number: 0224, Enumerated Year: 1910, Household members: Isaac Lynch (51), Lela Lynch (45), Nina Lynch (16), Lourita Lynch (14).
1920 – Lourita V Stiffler – Age: 23, Birth Year: abt 1897, Birthplace: Oregon, Home in 1920: Sheridan Ward 1, Sheridan, Wyoming, Street: East Loucks Street, Residence Date: 1920, Race: White, Gender: Female, Relation to Head of House: Wife, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Lester H Stiffler, Father’s Birthplace: Oregon, Mother’s Birthplace: Oregon, Able to read: Yes, Able to Write: Yes, Household members: Lester H Stiffler (23), Lourita V Stiffler (23), Lester H Stiffler (1).
1930 – Rita Stiffier – Birth Year: abt 1899, Gender: Female, Race: White, Age in 1930: 31, Birthplace: Oregon, Marital Status: Married, Relation to Head of House: Wife, Homemaker?: Yes, Home in 1930: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA – Street Address: San Rafael Way, Ward of City: Assm. Dist. 24, Block: 326, House Number: 185, Age at First Marriage: 18, Attended School: No, Able to Read and Write: Yes, Father’s Birthplace: Oregon, Mother’s Birthplace: Oregon, Able to Speak English: Yes, Household members: Lester H Stiffier (32), Rita Stiffier (31), James Stiffier (11).
1940 – Lourita Stiffler – Age: 40, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1900, Gender: Female, Race: White, Birthplace: Oregon, Marital Status: Married, Relation to Head of House: Wife, Home in 1940: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, Street: London Dr, House Number: 233, Inferred Residence in 1935: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, Attended School or College: No, Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year, Weeks Worked in 1939: 0, Income: 0, Income Other Sources: No, Household members: Lester H Steffler (43), Lourita Stiffler (40), James L Stiffler (21), Robert Stiffler (7), Ramona Greene (24) maid, Katharine Burkett (50) sister, Lattie R Hellman (56) guest.
1950 – Rita V Stiffler – Age: 50, Birth Date: abt 1900, Gender: Female, Race: White, Birth Place: Oregon, Marital Status: Married, Relation to Head of House: Wife, Residence Date: 1950, Home in 1950: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA – Street Name: Canyon View Dr., House Number: 270, Farm: No, Acres: No, Inferred Previous Residence Place: King Couma, Seattle, Wash, Father Birth Place: USA, Mother Birth Place: USA, Occupation Category: Keeping House, Worked Last Week: No, Seeking Work: No, Employment Status: No, Same House: No, Previously on Farm: Yes, Same County: No, School Completed: S 12 Grade, Completed: Yes, Weeks Worked: 4, Income: None, Other Income: R 8, Supplemental Income: None, Household members: Lester H Stiffler (53), Rita V Stiffler (50), Robert M Stiffler (17). |
