by Dan Mancuso,
publisher
Lelo Kerivan, 90, died in her home March 12.
Lelo was a very dear friend of mine. Both Lelo and her husband Bob took me under their wing when I moved to Cave Junction; I loved them both dearly. A person could not ask for better friends. They were more than friends, they were family to me. Bob and I were instant friends and Lelo followed very quickly.
Lelo was born Liselotte Ida Bolte in a small Northwest German town called Velbert Dec. 22, 1934.
She married her first husband Friedhelm Eichman in 1956 and they had one child, Rene.
On rare occasions Lelo would tell stories about living in Germany during WWII and the horrors she lived through. Those memories shaped who she was in life – a hard, yet very kind woman who enjoyed the positive things in life.
Lelo traveled the world and met a friend in the Philippines, named Roberta, who introduced her to Bob Kerivan.
Bob and Lelo liked to fish for salmon and came to Oregon for an outing. The weather at the coast wasn’t conducive for fishing, so they went to the Valley to escape the fog. The Davis family who owned Siskiyou Vineyards happened to be having a wine festival and the rest is history.
Lelo, being a German liked wine and next thing, you know Bob decided to purchase a property on Rockydale to build a vineyard for Lelo. With the help from the David’s they planted vines and built a house.
A few years later, when Lelo’s son Rene came to the U.S., Bob looked for more land as Rene was interested in wine making. Eventually Bridgeview grew into one the largest wineries in Oregon.
Lelo hosted many community events and fundraisers at the vineyard where she met many Cave Junction residents. Ultimately, she was encouraged to become involved in the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club.
One-year Lelo donated a stand up piano which Bob ultimately purchased during a Boys and Girls Club fundraiser. For years Lelo would donate the piano back, and again Bob would purchase it. It was great fun to watch them tease each other.
Lelo was instrumental in the creation of the “Welcome to the Illinois Valley” signs on the north and south end of the Valley. She was a great supporter of all things that could enhance and support the community. One such event was the annual “Grape Stomp,” a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
Also, there was the Bridgeview Yacht Club which was a group of friends that each Thursday would drink the wine that was open during the week, so fresh bottles were available for the weekend wine tastings. I met many great people through that “club.” Bob built a pontoon that we would float out onto the pond for the evening. Lelo never liked the limelight and would often sneak out of events without a word.
Lelo loved swans and there was always a pair on the pond. These swans weren’t very nice and would bite my toes when we would get near them, Lelo seemed to enjoy that.
Bridgeview hosted many weddings and one of them was mine. When Laura and I decided to get married, they insisted that we have it there, and provided all of the food, along with many others who participated in the Thursday night yacht club.
I was fortunate to spend Lelo’s last birthday with her. For her 90th birthday, along with her granddaughter Gabby, we made some of her favorite dishes including Kartoffelklößeg (German potato dumplings) sauerbraten (a German style of beef roast) and spaetzle.
In her last days, Brook Calvin cared for Lelo and was there when she passed. The family is grateful for Brooks dedication and kindness to Lelo.
Lelo is survived by her son Rene; three grandchildren, Gabrielle (David) Miller, Andy Eichman and Rene Eichman; and three great-grandchildren, Bella, Ryder and Asher.
She was preceded in death by both of her husbands: Friedhelm Eichman and Robert Kerivan.
I hope the afterlife is “medium rare” as Lelo always responded when asked how she was.
I loved her, I miss her and am thankful to have had 15 wonderful years with her as my friend.