Walking On: Louise Laverne Coulson

Louise Laverne Coulson

Nov. 11, 1939 – Feb. 13, 2026

Tribal Elder Louise Laverne Coulson, 86, of Grand Ronde, walked on peacefully in the quiet morning of Feb. 13, 2026.

Louise was born on Nov. 11, 1939, in Fort Duchesne, Utah, the eldest child of eight children to Lewis Leo Riggs II and Doris Jane LaRose Riggs. Louise was a proud citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Throughout her life, she moved numerous times but many of her years she found a home on Tribal lands.

Louise loved her family and called them her greatest blessing of all. She enjoyed people and filling her time visiting with those who could make her laugh. Her giggle came from her belly and once she started to giggle, it was contagious to all that were nearby.

Later in life, Louise was honored to be part of Tribal Elder activities and served as president of the Elder Committee. She enjoyed powwows, Pepsi and NASCAR. Watching her family participate in activities such as sports and car racing were also some of her favorite activities. She was known to rock out to her favorite artists Travis Tritt and Bon Jovi. Louise was always ready to go on adventures and especially liked to visit Lincoln City.

Louise is survived by her six children, Lynelle (Brandon) Passmore, Linda (Bruce) Hale, Mark (Mariah) Shandy, Todd (Tammy) Shandy, Gregg Shandy and Mardell (Darren) Williams; sisters, Una Birchum and Georgene (Terry) Gray; 18 grandchildren and 27 (and counting) great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Louise married Duane Coulson in 1989 and became a widow in 2014. She was married to Rollie Shandy, the father of her children, from 1958 to 1981. Even after their divorce, Rollie would thank her for all the memories and the six great kids they had together.

As she joins our ancestors who came before her, the love she gave her family remains her greatest legacy. Her strength, resilience and love will continue to guide those who knew her. May her memory always be full of the traditions she held dear with the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll wherever the music can be heard.

Funeral services and a rosary were held at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Ronde with burial at the Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery on Feb. 28, 2026.

In honor of Louise, you can make donations to the Grand Ronde Food Bank, a cause that was especially close to her heart.