Sheep Industry News April 2024

Obituaries

HENRY KREBS, 1926-2024 Henry Robert Krebs, 97, of Ione, Ore., passed away peacefully at his home Friday, March 1, 2024 with Robin, his wife of 25 years by his side. He was born July 7, 1926, at Heppner, Ore., to Henry W. and An nie C. Lowe Krebs. He attended school at Cecil, Ore., and went on to graduate from Arlington High school in 1944. Henry served in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1946. He received a Purple Heart while serving in the Philippines and then continued his service as part of the occu pational force in Japan. After an honorable discharge, he attended and graduated from Oregon State College on the GI Bill. While at college, he met and married Dorothy Durst. After finishing college, they moved back and partnered in the family ranch located at Cecil and East Glacier, Mont., raising their family and producing wheat, cattle, hay and sheep. During his life, Henry was involved with many organizations includ ing the National Wool Growers Association, Oregon Cattlemen's Asso ciation, American Legion, B.P.O.E., Western Range Association, Public Lands Council and was a founding member of the Oregon Sheep Com mission. He was recognized as a diamond Pioneer Ag achievement award and a lifetime member of Oregon Sheep Growers. After slowing down from working on the ranch, he later married Robin Baker in 1999. They lived in Ione and enjoyed their property in Montana and travelling to sheep conventions. Henry is survived by his wife, Robin of Ione; daughter Jane (Ron) Brinkman; son Clint (Maureen) Krebs; son Skye (Penny) Krebs; son Glen (Roni) Krebs; Bridger (Barbara) Baker, Corey (Gina) Baker, Joey (Kim) Baker, Rosanne (Brian) Jewett and Jeani Baker; 21 grand children; and 22 great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by daughter, Bonnie Jean Krebs. Graveside Services were March 9 at High View Cemetery in Ione. Memorial contributions may be made to The Ione American Legion, P.O. Box 265 Ione, OR 97843. PATRICK O’TOOLE, 1948-2024 Little Snake River Valley rancher and conservationist Patrick Francis O'Toole died Feb. 25, 2024, at age 75 of complications following a stroke. He was loved and respected in the agricultural and natural resource communities. Pat was born Dec. 6, 1948, in Pitts

The West called and Pat moved to Fort Collins, Colo., where he attended Colorado State University. He met his wife Sharon Salisbury while both were working at The Collegian newspaper. Pat graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1975. He and Sharon married on Sept. 28, 1975. That winter, they traveled throughout South America. When they arrived safely home – much to their parents' relief – they began their life's work on the Ladder Ranch, along the Wyoming/ Colorado border. It has been in Sharon's family since 1881. Pat liked to say that the ranch raises "cattle, sheep, horses, dogs and children." They lived for eight winters in a cabin without electricity or running water, and summers in camps as they herded their own sheep. In 1978, daughter Meghan Lynne was born, followed by Bridget Emma in 1980 and son Patrick Eamon in 1985. In 1986, Pat was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives, where he served for six years representing Carbon County. He became known for his gift of working with people in all walks of life, diverse viewpoints and differing political views. Next, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Western Water Policy Commission, look ing at the future of water in the West. He wrote the dissenting report defending food production and irrigation. This led him to the Family Farm Alliance – an organization representing irrigators in 11 Western states. He served as its president from 2005 until his death. He cared deeply about the Colorado River, and was influential in protecting irrigated agriculture, migratory bird habitat and tribal rights. Pat worked tirelessly to protect his beloved Western landscapes. He and the Ladder Ranch family have been widely recognized for their conservation work and ethic. In 2014, the Ladder Ranch received the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award. In 2016, Pat received the Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award from the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. At the time of his death, he was leading a big project – Headwaters of the Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his three children, Meghan O'Toole Lally (Brian), Bridget O'Toole (Chris Abel) and Patrick Eamon O'Toole (Megan). His six grandchildren were the absolute light of his life. He leaves Siobhan, Seamus, Maeve and Tiarnan Lally and Patrick McCoy O'Toole and Rhen O'Toole. He is also survived by his sister Mary Lynne O'Toole Lidstone, his niece Sherri Salisbury Marthaller, his nephews Bill Moree, Joe Salisbury, Christian Gros, Kevin Lidstone, James Lidstone and John Lidstone. He also leaves many cousins in Florida and Pennsylvania, and a plethora of close friends. Pat was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Marie O'Toole; his in-laws George and Laura Salisbury, his buddy Pete Antonacci, and several friends. A celebration of life will be held at the Ladder Ranch in July. The family asks that donations be made to the Family Farm Alliance, P.O. Box 216, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (FamilyFarmAlliance.org) or the Little Snake River EMS, Box 275, Baggs, WY 82321.

burgh to James Francis O'Toole and Mary Ann Mooney O'Toole. When Pat was 3 years old, his family moved to Hialeah, Fla. Pat grew up swimming, surfing and, most of all, running. He attended Hialeah High School, where he excelled in aca demics, track and cross country. He ran a four-and-a-half minute mile, but loved

distance running. He attended Arkansas State University, Miami-Dade Junior College and Florida State University on track scholarships.

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