Gravestone sought for Tilmer

History often sweeps away the little things. That's not always so with families. They know the people who were towering figures in their lives, whatever the larger community and country knew of them.

Still, even among families, things get lost.

Tilmer LaChance Leno, 99 at the time of her death, was born in 1858 in St. Paul, Ore. In 1877, she married the first David Leno, one of the Tribe's pioneers, who also was an orderly to Lt. Phil Sheridan.

Together, they brought 10 children into the world, all themselves now passed.

Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member Val Grout, Tilmer's great-granddaughter, has been trying for years to remedy a family omission when Tilmer walked on.

Buried in the Tribal cemetery, her memory was never preserved with a headstone.

"Grandpa has a tall headstone," Grout said. "I don't know why grandma doesn't."

The effort started, Grout said, about 10 years ago, when she and her late cousin, Tribal Elder Russ Leno, talked about it as they came from Tilmer's grave on Memorial Day.

Now, Grout is asking Tilmer's far-flung family to chip in to get her a belated gravestone. She thinks it will cost about $4,000 with a picture of Tilmer on one side and on the other a carving of a lady sitting at a quilting frame.

In that regard, Grout has collected the names of Tilmer's children in hopes that those in the family who have forgotten her may yet remember her children's names.

Tilmer's children were:

• Joe Leno, 1880-1907;
• Dollie Leno, Pichette, Baker, 1883-1980;
• George Leno, 1885-1975;
• Edwin Leno, 1887-1917;
• Agnes Leno, Mercier, 1889-1982;
• Frances Leno, Houck, Porter, 1891-1974, (Val Grout's grandmother);
• David Leno II, 1892-1964;
• Elizabeth Leno, Lafferty, 1895-1962;
• Myrtle Leno, McKnight, 1898-1982;
• Gus Leno, 1900-1989.

Grout said she remembers Tilmer quilting every day and teaching the craft to many from the next generations. 

"I never remember a time that there wasn't a quilt on the frame. She would let it down from the ceiling, and she would give me a small corner and teach me to quilt. And she would tell me stories of the old days.

"I remember the sourdough biscuits, the white beans and fried spuds she would make us. It was so good because grandma made it and she was a great cook."

For those who would like to contribute, send the gifts to Val Grout, P.O. Box 113, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.