Hanna Deines

Hanna Deines served as chapter President from 1978 to 1981. Chapter programs featuring ethnic food became a favorite activity. To raise funds, the chapter sold homemade noodles and held garage sales. Membership in the chapter increased to 212 by 1979.

In 1978, Hanna was part of a group of 61 members of AHSGR that undertook a tour to South America to attend the Germans-from-Russia centennial celebration in Argentina and to visit groups of our people in Brazil and Paraguay. The group also included Oregon Chapter members Peter Koch and Anna and Albert Wardin.

Born Johanna Marie Eichler in Odessa, Washington on September 16, 1915. Her parents, Wilhelm Eichler (born 1855 in Dönhof, Russia) and Marie Katherine (née Borgens) Eichler (born 1890 in Frank, Russia) immigrated to the United States about 1910.

Hanna moved to Portland in 1937 and married Jack C. Deines in November 1938. Together they operated the Deines Sanitary Service for many years.

Hanna and Jack were founding members of AHSGR International and the Oregon Chapter. Hanna served as a member of the Oregon Chapter Board of Directors for many years and hosted board meetings at her home.

Hanna was also an active member of the Rivercrest Community Church (formerly the Zion German Congregational Church).

Over a period of ten years Hanna opened her home and became a “billet Mom” to the many members of the Portland Winterhawks Hockey Team. "Grams" was always a favorite of the Winterhawks Players.

Hanna died on May 10, 2007 in Portland and is interred at the Rose City Cemetery Mausoleum.

Hanna Deines

Sources

AHSGR Oregon Chapter Newsletter, July/August 2007.