Cassandra “Casey” H. Dutchuk, 85 of Prineville, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020. There will be a graveside service held at Juniper Haven Cemetery (1555 N. Main Street) on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 10:00 am. Pastor Tollie Rogers of the Ascent Church will be officiating. To light a candle for Casey or leave an on-line condolence please go to; www.whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com .
Casey was born on July 6, 1935 to Dr. William Bancroft and Katherine Jane (Elkins) Handford in Caldwell, Idaho. She was the eldest of the three Handford children, with a sister Helen and a brother William (Bill). Dr. Handford passed away in 1949 and in 1955 Katherine moved back to her home town of Prineville where she and her son Bill lived near Katherine’s brother Millard (Beany) Elkins. Casey attended school in Caldwell and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1953. She then attended the College of Idaho for one year, then transferring to Armstrong Business College in Berkley, California.
Casey was living and working in San Francisco when her mother moved back to Prineville. After working in San Francisco for several years she took a position at the Oregon Primate Research Center in Portland, Oregon. During her visits to Prineville she was introduced to the pharmacist, James “Jim” Dutchuk whom she married on September 16, 1967. Casey and Jim raised two children, Rebecca Anne “Becky” and David in Prineville and that is where they resided their entire married life. Casey was a wonderful mother to her children. Casey worked with her husband Jim at Bank Drug, eventually they purchased the pharmacy and continued to operate it for several years until they sold it and retired.
Casey’s roots go deep into Crook County as the Elkins family settled in the County in the late 1800s and Casey’s uncle Millard Elkins and her mother Katherine Jane Elkins were born and raised in Prineville. In 2015 Casey’s legacy and contributions to the history of Crook County was recognized as she was selected as the Crook County Pioneer Queen. An honor that Casey treasured and an honor she earned.
She loved cooking, gardening and was an excellent quilter. Casey also loved to travel and made many trips with her husband Jim. She was very active; in the downtown merchants committee serving as president/member, led the Saturday Stitcher’s quilting group, sponsored by the Soroptimist Organization and participated in the annual Pioneer Hospital Auction for many years.
Casey was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill, uncle Millard, aunt Beany, and grandparents on both sides of the family, Elkins and Combs.
Casey is survived by her husband of almost 53 years, Jim, daughter Becky (Aaron) Arntz, son David Dutchuk, two grandchildren Joshua and Jacob Arntz, three great grandchildren Wyatt, Kendall and Colton Arntz, sister Helen (Dell) Smith, niece Teresa Kelly, nephews Blake Smith, Christopher Handford, Adrian Handford, Gabriel Handford, step brother Don (Renata) Bixby and family.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Cassandra Handford Dutchuk’s honor to any charity of your choice
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements. 3168 NE 3rd Street – Prineville, Oregon 97754 541-416-9733
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