Gary Clifford Sady, 57, Hailey

   Gary Clifford Sady of Hailey passed peacefully amid family on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2011. He will always be remembered by those who knew him well as a strong, genuine, kind, generous and honest individual. He was 57.

   Gary was born on May 20, 1954, in Sacramento, CA to Gabriel George and Beulah Mae Sady, the third of four children. Gary graduated from El Camino High School in 1972 before matriculating to Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, AZ, to play baseball (and to attend classes when it didn’t interfere with batting practice).

   Upon graduation, Gary enrolled at Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) in Lewiston to play for the LCSC Warriors. During his senior year in 1976, Gary earned All-American honors and was the starting catcher for the first Warrior team to qualify for the NAIA College World Series. The LCSC team lost the title game that year to finish second in the nation.

   Gary moved to the Wood River Valley in 1983. An avid sportsman, Gary enjoyed innumerable hours hunting and fishing with friends and family. He also spent a not inconsiderable number of hours alone with nature—time he found peaceful, therapeutic and deeply gratifying.

   For most of his life after college, Gary stayed connected to baseball through participation in local softball leagues and as a coach of numerous Wood River American Legion teams.

   Although his friends and family will miss him dearly, Gary’s short 57 years constituted, in his own words, “a pretty great run.”

   Gary is survived by his siblings, Nancy Brownell of Rescue, CA, Linda Sady of Reno, NV and Dale Sady of Spokane, WA; his six nieces and nephews sprinkled across the globe; his loving wife, Carla Sady of Hailey; his children, Dani Summerill (Chris) of Pocatello, Nikole Olive (Dave) of Orofino and Kayo Sady (Maegan) of Rockville, MD; and his four grandchildren.

   Gary’s family would like to thank Dr. Charles Smith, Twin Falls; Dr. Matthew Schwarz, Boise; and Dr. Paul Montgomery, Boise, for their candor, kindness and skill in treating Gary and helping him decide appropriate treatment courses.

   His family would also like to thank Hospice of the Wood River Valley. In particular, thank you, Nancy, Kathy and Carolyn for your guidance and compassion during the last weeks of Gary’s life.

   A reception to honor Gary, followed by a celebration of his life, will be held in Hailey at the Senior Connection on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 3-7 p.m.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sady Medical Fund at DL Evans bank in Hailey, Idaho, or to Hospice of Wood River Valley.

Alyce Kessler, 72, Orofino

   Alyce Ann Kessler, Orofino, passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at Tri-State Memorial Hospital, of pneumonia, with her daughter Cindy and son-in-law Greg Dawson by her side. She was 72.

   She was born Alyce Ann Baird on Aug. 22, 1939, in Youngstown, OH. She and Casey Kessler were married there and subsequently moved to several states, but their true home was always Orofino. She worked as a clerk at City Hall, a secretary for Dr. Cleto, and a school bus driver.

   Her working career ended when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1979. Surgery was able to slow the progression of the tumor for awhile, but she underwent a second surgery in 1994 leaving her disabled. She and Casey truly enjoyed their time in the Clearwater and spent their last few summers on the North Fork camping, fishing and hunting.

   Casey died in 2000 and she moved into Brookside Landing as soon as her apartment was constructed in 2001. The family is eternally grateful to the investors and staff of Brookside Landing for giving Mom a safe haven for the past decade. She needed and loved their wonderful facility and nurturing staff and participated in many of their activities with joy.

   She was an inspiration to us all as she refused to let her disabilities and limitations get in her way. There were also a few community members who made sure she could attend First Baptist Church and then Orofino Community Church as long as she was able to go.

   Alyce is survived by one brother, Richard Baird, of South Carolina; her daughter Cindy, and her son-in-law Greg Dawson, of Orofino.

   No services are planned. Burial will take place. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements. The family suggests memorials be made to Second Chance Animal, P.O. Box 1822, Orofino, ID 83544.

Benny Hamilton, 68, Orofino

   Benny Hamilton of Orofino died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 at his home. He was 68.

   Benny and his wife Janice moved to Orofino from Colorado seven years ago. They were both retired.

   Benny is survived by his wife Janice; son Michael of New York; daughter Donna of New York; stepsons Johnny of Texas, Gary of California, and Ricky of Texas; stepdaughters Bonnie Jean of Colorado and Karen of Washington; and 15 grandchildren.

   Benny chose not to have a service.

Robert Thomason, 78, Orofino

   Retired Major Robert E. Thomason (Bob), Orofino, passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino. He was 78.

   Bob was born Jan. 18, 1933 in Memphis, TN to June Claude and Elizabeth (Clift) Thomason.

   He attended Memphis Technical High School, graduating in 1951. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and graduated from Officers Candidate School in 1959, retiring in 1973. After retirement he opened “Lake and Lawn,” a boat and motor business, retiring in 1992.

   He married Virginia Dewitt in 1956 and later divorced. He married Rae McArthur Thomason in Orofino in 1965.

   Bob was a life member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association and the winner of many trapshooting awards over the years. He was also an endowment member of the National Rifle Association, life member of the Orofino-Pierce Gun Club, served on the Board of Directors of the Orofino Golf and Country Club from 1974-1998, and club champion in 1976. He was also a past member of the Lewiston Country Club.

   Bob is survived by his wife Rae; brother June C. Thomason and wife Lynne, Destin, FL; sister Nancy McDow, Austin, TX; four children Debi Thomason Titus, Boise, June Finke, Orofino, Karen Bouch and husband David, Boise and Robert Thomason, Jr. and wife Soo. He is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

   He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Brandon Titus.

   A memorial to celebrate the life of Bob Thomason will take place Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Orofino from 2-5 p.m. for family and friends.

   A military graveside service will be held at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.

   Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.

   In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Orofino Golf and Country Club or the Orofino-Pierce Gun Club, two of Bob’s favorite pastimes.

Richard Kelley, 49, Irrigon, OR

   Richard (Rich) Kelley, 49, Irrigon, OR, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 at his home.

Naomi Johnson, 89, Lewiston

   Naomi Zella Johnson Willis Ward, 89, Lewiston, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at Kindred Care and Rehabilitation Center in Lewiston of causes related to acute leukemia.

   Naomi was born May 26, 1922, to Jacob and Martha Hatchett Willis in Clarksville, AR. The family moved to Oregon when she was 14 years old. After graduating from high school, she attended beauty school and became a licensed beautician. During World War II, she worked for Boeing Corp. in Seattle helping in the assembly of B-17 bombers.

   She married J.D. Ward Dec. 9, 1944, and they moved to Headquarters, following the war. She continued to style women’s hair as well as working in the Potlatch cookhouse in Headquarters. She and J.D. moved to Lewiston in 1971 due to his health issues.

   Seven years after J.D.’s death, she married Mervin Johnson who preceded her in death.

   Naomi was a part of the community of mothers that helped raise the kids of Headquarters. She trusted in God and prayed for her kids and many others continually. She was a member of the House of Faith formerly Faith Tabernacle Church.

   She loved fishing for steelhead with Mervin, family and friends on the Snake and Clearwater Rivers.

   Mom is probably best known for being an encourager to those that she encountered in life. She had many fond memories of her times visiting with her special friends at Wedgewood Terrace prior to moving to Kindred Care and Rehab.

   She is survived by her brother Porter Willis of Ontario, OR; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Beth Ward of Russellville, AR; daughter Sue Moser of Lewiston; three grandchildren, Brian Pearson, Melody Ward, Robin Trafford (Ward); five great grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

   In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Jimmy; six brothers, Velmey, Henry, Charley, Harvey, Austin, and M.F. (Bill) Willis; three sisters, Robie, Marie and Ruth (Evans); and two grandsons, Steve and James Pearson.

   A memorial service will be held to celebrate her home-going at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the House of Faith Church, 2502 16th Ave. in Lewiston.

Adella Rose Christensen, 85, Orofino

   Adella Rose Christensen passed away on Saturday, Dec.  31, 2011 at the family home in Orofino, after a lengthy battle with chronic leukemia. She was 85.

   Della was born at Southwick to Glen and Alma Betts, on July 7, 1926. She attended school in Southwick and graduated in 1943. She married Donald Christensen that same year.

   Don and Della lived at logging camps up the North Fork of the Clearwater River and at Finke logging camp by Pierce before moving to Orofino. Della did books for William Cummings and for Christy Company, the log skidding carriage company that Don founded. She also worked on the Clearwater County election board for many years.

   Della enjoyed her huge garden and flowerbeds. When not working in the garden she was busy canning and cooking for her family and friends. She loved camping and traveling to the Washington Coast to go “clamming.” She was a gracious hostess who always had a cup of coffee and a delicious meal ready for guests.

   Della is survived by her husband, Don; her daughter, Doris Christensen and husband, Greg Field of Waimanalo, HI; her son, Steve Christensen and wife, Robin of Orofino; four grandchildren, Dylan Stanfield of New York, Don Christensen II of Everett, WA; Amber Bridgewater of Parma, ID; Jonathan Christensen of Orofino, and five great-grand-children. She is also survived be her brother, Eugene Betts of Coeur d’ Alene.

   The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Phillip Peterson and the nurses of Clearwater Valley Hospital for their dedicated care of Della. A special thank you is extended to Les and PJ Finney for their care so she was able to remain at home during her final days.

   A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Clearwater Memorial Public Library, Box 471, Orofino, ID 83544.

Mildred Ferguson, Kennewick, WA

   Mildred Ferguson, born and raised in Orofino, recently passed away.

   Her husband, Darrell, also an Orofino High School graduate and long time resident, and her family thought it would be appropriate to notify Mildred’s and Darrell’s local friends of her passing by having her obituary published in the local newspaper.

   She talked fondly of her Orofino experiences while growing up and loved attending the high school reunions and Lumberjack Days with friends and family.

Kathryn Carey, formerly of Orofino, 93

   Kathryn H. Carey passed away on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. She was born on Feb. 26, 1918 in Lewiston, Idaho. She was the daughter of Leeta M. Hayden (Stonebraker) and Joseph P. Hayden of Lewiston, Idaho.

   Katie, as she was known to one and all, grew up in the Lewiston – Orofino area and lived there until 1962 when she moved to Federal Way, WA with her husband and children.

   She was best known as an entertainer playing piano and singing in establishments around Orofino in her younger years. She was a devoted grandmother to not only her own grandchildren, but all the “grandchildren” in her neighborhood and in her extended family.

   A private memorial was held with her surviving children and some of her grandchildren. For the last few years Katie lived at Foundation House, an assisted living facility near her two sons. She will be buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA with her husband of 52 years, Moon Carey, who preceded her in death in June of 2000. She was also preceded in death by her eldest son, Robert J. Turner, in 2009, which was her greatest sorrow in her last years.

   She is survived by her sons and daughters in law and her seven grandchildren. They are: James M. and Vicki B. Carey and their children, Matthew J. Carey and Joanne Engel; Steven M. and Marita Carey and their children, Dustin Carey and Andrea Carey; Timmi Turner and her and Bob’s children, Kelli Turner and Bret Turner, and Bob’s eldest daughter, Stacy Turner. She is also survived by her two sisters, Barbara Fairley and Cecilia M. Turner.

   Katie succumbed to age related complications of diabetes and remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Benny Hamilton, 68, Orofino

   Benny Hamilton, Orofino, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 at his home. He was 68. Arrangements are pending with Mountain View Funeral Home of Lewiston.

Ural Rupert Albert Latham, 73, Boise

   Ural Rupert Albert Latham passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Boise. He was 73.

   Ural was born July 1, 1939, in Pomeroy. He was the sixth child of Dwight Latham and Joveta Donnelly Latham of Peola.

   He met and married the love of his life, Roben Williams. They were married for 24 years and had one daughter, Saaj. Ural's other children are Scott Pentzer of Boise, Mark, Thad, Gary, Chris, Mark, Glenda and Lisa.

   Ural served in the Air Force. He was an artist, a photographer and a lover of nature and of Native American Indians. While living in this area, he did many pencil sketches of people. He was able to travel much when he worked in the construction field.

   He is survived by his siblings, Wanda (Frank) Chisholm, Barbara Chandler, Margaret (Les) Jester, Robert (Gloria) Latham, Denney Joe (Ruby) Latham, and Kyle (Bev) Latham.

   He was preceded in death by Ramona Latham, Beverley Bryan and Lars Wieland Linville.

   A memorial service and covered-dish dinner will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the VFW Hall in the Lewiston Orchards, 1104 Warner Ave.

Adelle R. Christensen, 85, Orofino

   Adelle R. Christensen, Orofino, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at her Orofino residence. She was 85.  Arrangements are pending at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home.

Barbara Jean Simmons, 76, Kamiah

   Barbara “Bobbi” Jean Simmons of Kamiah passed away Dec. 28, 2011 with her family by her side at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. She was 76.

   Bobbi was born in Kamiah in 1935 to Ed and Billie Hronek. She attended Kamiah High School and graduated in 1953. She married Don Simmons in 1955.

   Bobbi was active in the community, serving 12 years as treasurer for the Friends of the Library and as a member of the board of directors at Burkhart Homes for 11 years. She served on the Elections Board, helping with elections since 1984, and in 2000 she became chief judge.

   Bobbi’s first job was at First Security Bank, where she worked until Don was called overseas by the military. Bobbi spent two years with Don in Germany, and in 1958 attended the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium.

   In 1958, Don and Bobbi started Simmons Sanitation and years later purchased NADL Enterprises. Bobbi and Don began their family after returning from Germany. She raised four children and was very active in Job’s Daughters, 4-H, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She enjoyed staying busy and opened a ceramics shop in her basement.

   She was a talented painter and ladies from Lewiston would come to her shop just to have her complete the eyes on a ceramic piece. Later Bobbi became involved with Avon, with whom she sold beauty supplies for 30-plus years.

   Bobbi enjoyed camping with her family, often spending the summer months with her sisters and their families on the Selway, Lochsa and Lolo. She treasured holidays with the family, spending time with her grandchildren, and Sunday drives with Don. She played bingo and bunko parties with her friends.

   Bobbi is survived by her husband Don; her children Edward (Kim) Simmons, Robert (Sheila) Simmons, Lori (Jim) Johnson, Dona Robbins-Simmons, and Mike (Jackie) Millage; nine grandchildren, Drew and Cassi Johnson, Chazz Johnson and Nicole Duran, Kalee Johnson, Nikka Johnson, Ricky Simmons, Kori Robbins, Trevor Robbins, Chad Simmons, and Santana Simmons, and one great-granddaughter, Hadley Johnson. She is also survived by her two sisters, Bev Wilsey and Betty Reed.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed Hronek, Axel Kludt and Billie Kludt.

   A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 followed by a dinner, at St. Catherine's Church in Kamiah.

   Donations in Bobbi’s name may be made to the Kamiah Community Library, P.O. Box 846, Kamiah, ID 83536. Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is assisting the family.

William Walker, 91, Orofino

   William R. Walker, Orofino, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino. He was 91.

   A memorial service will be held at Saturday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Orofino. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Marion Henry, 92, Lenore

   Marion F. Henry, Lenore, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at her daughter’s home. She was 92. Arrangements are pending with Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home of Lewiston.

Beulah Riek Vrieling, 96, Grangeville

   Beulah Riek Vrieling, age 96, passed away in Grangeville on Jan. 2, 2012 from causes related to age. Our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was born in Jenkins, MN, in 1915, the youngest of eight children, later moving to Brainard, MN. 

   In 1930, after her father passed away, Beulah and her mother moved to Los Angeles, CA where she met and married our father, Howard (Lefty) Riek in 1935. They moved to Orofino, in 1944, along with first son, Robert (Bob). They lived in Orofino where they had two more children, Marilyn and Ron.

   When her husband and our father passed away in 1973, she met and married George Vrieling two years later. Her husband George passed away in 2009. He had been a long time resident of Grangeville and was a retired farmer.

   Beulah is survived by her son, Robert, wife Elsa and their family of Peck; her son Ron Riek, and his family in Pleasant Grove, Utah; Marilyn Krieger and her partner, Mark Lowry of Cottonwood, and stepdaughter Carol Colson of Salem, Oregon. She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Doety Riek of Peck, Robert Riek, Jr. of Weippe, Ron Riek Jr. of Spokane, WA and stepson Thomas Lougee, as well as many nieces and nephews.

   Beulah was preceded in death by her parents, John and Melissa Gorst, four sisters, three brothers, and stepdaughter Jessamine.

   Beulah enjoyed camping, fishing and bowling, and playing pinochle in her younger years. Later in life, she enjoyed visiting with friends and family and reading her Bible. She was a devout Christian and attended the Nazarene Church in Grangeville for many years. She was a great mother and a wonderful person. She will be missed by her family, her extended family, and all who knew her.

  Services will be at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville on Friday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Weseman Cemetery near Orofino.

   Donations may be made to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 371, Grangeville, ID, 83530. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.