Obituaries for May 13, 2010

John Edward Mathews, 88, Orofino

   John Edward (Jack) Mathews died April 26, 2010, at Clearwater Valley Hospital. He was 88. John was born to Harry J. and Olga Whitney Mathews Dec. 28, 1921, in Gibbs City, MI.

   Jack joined the U.S. Army in July 1942. Before leaving for basic training, he married Betty Jane Apel. Jack and Betty had five children, Mary, Gail Ann, Bette Kay, Daniel and John. Betty Jane passed away following surgery in 1971. Jack met and married Betty Schilling in April 1978 and remained happily married until her death in July 2009.

   Jack worked in the Michigan and Idaho logging industries from his teenage years until he was forced to retire due to a logging accident. Hunting and fishing were his passions throughout his life, and being with family and friends.

   While living in Weippe, Jack was a volunteer fireman, member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, as well as being a community volunteer. While living in Ahsahka, he was involved in numerous community projects.

   Jack was preceded in death by 12 siblings; his wives, Betty Jane and Betty; two daughters, Mary and Gail Ann; and two stepsons, David Schilling and Monty Schilling.

   He is survived by a brother, William Walker of Lewiston; daughter Bette Kay DeFrancesco of Rathdrum, Idaho; sons Dan Mathews and wife Shirley of Hillsboro, Ore., and John Mathews and wife Susie of Taegu, South Korea; stepchildren Juneal Storm of Lewiston, Mitzi and Shanon Allen of Orofino, Drexel and Charlotte Schilling of Kooskia, Steve and Judy of Lewiston, Colleen and Kevin Fritch of Pullman, and Dawn and Tom Packwood of Clarkston; and numerous grandchildren, great-grand- children, relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

   Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Linda Irene Dahlberg-Haag, 69, Orofino

   Linda Irene Dalberg-Haag, Orofino, passed away peacefully Friday, May 7, 2010 in Orofino with family and friends by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 69.

   She was born in Dayton, WA on April 24, 1941 to LaVerne and Lillian Dalberg.

   Linda married Charles Lester Haag, May 21, 1960 in Coeur d’Alene at the infamous Hitching Post. They raised their family of four in Culdesac before moving to Orofino in 1983.

   Linda was very active throughout the years with her four children, volunteering for all their activities as well as community service. She drove school bus for the Culdesac School District for many years.

    In addition to her own children and grandchildren she was fondly known as “mom/grandma Linda” in both the Culdesac and Orofino communities.

   Linda loved camping with family and friends and especially being “camp cook” at their Moose Creek hunting camp. All the grandkids loved to bake chocolate chip cookies with grandma and she would always share those cookies and her special pumpkin pies with friends.

   She thoroughly enjoyed staying in touch with friends and family on the telephone and always had a kind hug. She enjoyed her water aerobics classes and babysitting for anyone who would ask. Linda had a very strong Christian faith and was an active member with the ladies group at Covenant House Christian Church in Orofino.

   She is survived by her loving husband Charles of 50 years at the family home in Orofino; daughters, Diana Haag, Orofino, Holly and Ramiro Sosa, Miami, FL, Denise and Stephen Duren, Weiser; son, Tracy and Annette Haag, Orofino; a brother, Larry and Mary Ellen Dalberg and daughters, Heather and Brittany, all of Seward, AK; seven grandchildren, Shantel, Nathan, Justin, Grayson, Shae, Christopher and Samantha; two great-grandchildren and her special buddy, Dutch.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, LaVerne and Lillian and grandson Trevor Haag.

   Our wife, mother, gramma or granny, Linda will definitely be remembered for her unconditional giving and kind, loving heart she shared with anyone and everyone. She will not be forgotten through the hearts of many.

   Funeral arrangements are pending with Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino.

   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Linda Haag memorial fund at U.S. Bank, P.O. Box, 1240, Orofino, ID 83544.