Archived Marriage Records
Marjorie Ann (Peterka) Swineheart, 72, Orofino
Marjorie A. (Peterka) Swineheart, 72, Orofino, passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2009.
She was born Sept. 27, 1936 in Aitkin, MN, the first child of Martin and Marie Peterka. The family later moved to California. When Marjorie was 10, they moved to Idaho. She graduated from Orofino High School in 1954. She married
Carl Gibson in 1957 and moved to Columbus, OH. From this marriage, she had three sons. The marriage later ended in divorce.
In 1974 Marjorie returned to Lewiston and raised her children. In 1977, she began a career as a homemaker for the State of Idaho and continued until 1990. She later moved to Orofino and married
Herb Swineheart in 2002.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb Swineheart, and her parents, Martin and Marie Peterka.
She is survived by her three sons, Brett (Kathy) Gibson of Lewiston, Greg (LeAnn) Gibson of Waverly, OH, and Cameron Gibson of Gresham, OR; five grandchildren, Jennifer Gibson, Summer Gibson, Jamie Hannah (Gibson), Casey Gibson, Clay McCartney and nine great grandchildren.
She is also survived by four sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Dale Daniels of Kennewick, WA, Becky and Larry Beck of Orofino, Barbara and Garry Newbry of Cheney, WA and Marie and David Highfield of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marjorie loved Orofino and all of her friends, classmates and the entire congregation of Covenant House Christian Center where she was a devoted member. She loved polka music and enjoyed dancing the polka in her younger days. She loved to laugh, talk and have fun.
She was particularly proud of her three sons. They were the apple of her eye. If Marjorie is about anything, she was about family. She'll be forever in our hearts, never forgotten and Margie we will miss you.
The celebration of life for Margie Swineheart will be held at the Covenant House Christian Center, 12517 Hartford Ave. in Orofino at 12 noon Saturday, Jan. 31, with Pastor Tristan Harvey officiating. She will be laid to rest in Wells Bench cemetery. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is caring for arrangements.
Lena M. Kuehn, 90, Orofino
Funeral services for Lena M. Kuehn, 90 Orofino, will be held Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colonial Heights, VA. Burial will at South Lawn Memorial Park in Petersburg, VA.
She was born April 1, 1918 in Leominster, MA to Pasquale and Rosina Montaquila. She married
Gerhard Paul Kuehn on Sept. 30, 1939 in Leominster. They moved to Colonial Heights, VA in 1941.
Lena was a homemaker, mother and wife. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities throughout her lifetime. She was devoted to her family and friends. Her lovely spirit will be missed by all.
She has lived with her daughter Anne Gee in Orofino since October of 2004.
Lena is survived by her daughter, Anne Gee; grandsons, Anthony R. Gee of Fairfield, CT, Robert Paul Gee of Boise, Paul G. Kuehn II of Chester, VA; granddaughter, Courtney Kuehn of Chester, VA; great-granddaughter, Lauren Gee of Fairfield, VA; son-in-law, Robert R. Gee of Orofino; former daughter-in-law, Robin Hersley of Chester, VA; three sisters and two brothers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerhard Paul Kuehn; son, Paul Gerhard Kuehn; her parents; five sisters and two brothers.
Myrtle Bell-Lacock, 95, Orofino
Myrtle E. Bell-Lacock, a long time resident of Orofino area, passed away at the Clearwater Valley Hospital on Jan. 26, 2009.
The daughter of William and Mary Phar, Myrtle was born Aug. 8, 1913 on a farm in Gilbert. She married
Elmer Bell on June 9, 1935. Elmer passed away in February 1988 on their farm in Gilbert.
After the death of her husband, she moved to Orofino. She married
Luther Lacock in 1995, who passed away in 2001.
Myrtle enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in many states, as well as international travel. One of her favorite trips was to Singapore to visit her "kids" Lavonne & Rich Thomas.
Myrtle was active in the First Christian Church of Orofino, Clearwater Senior Citizens, FISH Thrift Store and Historical Society. These organizations were an integral part of her life.
Her humble spirit, generosity and hospitality will be remembered by those who knew her. She felt so fortunate to have Brookside Landing available, where she called home. She had a deep appreciation for the staff at Brookside.
She is survived by her "kids" Lavonne and Rich Thomas of Carlsbad, CA; seven step children, many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral service for Myrtle will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino. A private burial will be held at the Nezperce cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Orofino Christian Church, P.O. Box 903, Orofino, Idaho 83544 or the Nezperce Ambulance Fund: P.O. Box 88 Nezperce, Idaho 83543.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is caring for arrangements.
Lula Lee Beck Day, 74, formerly of Orofino
Lula Lee Beck Day passed away Jan. 16, 2009 in Orofino.
She was born Feb. 26, 1934 in Orofino to William Albert Beck and Lula Jane Binkley Beck. She had two sisters and three brothers.
She attended local schools and in 1950 married
Harvey Lee Corder. They had two children, Diane and Gail. Harvey died in a car accident in 1954. She then married
William Highly and they had three children, Robert, Teresa and Richard. That marriage ended in divorce On Dec. 20, 1979, Lula married
William Day.
Lula attended a three-year business course and became an accountant. She worked as an assessor at the courthouse; she worked for William Cummings Construction, Valley Motor Parts and for the family logging and farm businesses. She also worked as a waitress at the Ericson Restaurant. She drove a logging truck, milked cows, took care of a one-acre garden and canned hundreds of quarts of food for her family. She enjoyed feeding her family. They lived in several places, Peck, on Whiskey Creek, Kooskia and other places like logging camps at Big Island, Camp T and Camp 57.
She loved to sew, use oil paints, work with leather, quilt and computerembroidery. She had advice to married
folks - work out your problems and don't bring your problems home to her. She loved her children and grandchildren. One of her life-long friends was Frances Wilson of Lewiston. Lula was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lewiston.
Her most recent residence was in Kooskia.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harvey Lee Corder; her brothers, Kenneth and Robert; and a son, Richard.
She is survived by her children, Diane Hasenoehrl of Culdesac, Gail Taylor of Vancouvr, WA, Teresa Steadman of Harvard and Robert Highly of Troy; her sisters, Irene Wohlsein, Kooskia and Nadine of Washington; and brother, Austin Beck of Spokane, WA.
Funeral services were conducted Monday with Pastor Gary Beck of the Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.
Mildred Bernice Wilson Wise, 94, Weippe
Funeral service were held recently for Mildred Bernice Wilson Wise, 94, Weippe who passed away Jan. 17, 2009.
She was born: Nov. 16, 1914 to Harvey Setzer Wilson and Jeannettie Dell Carr Wilson.
She grew up on the Weippe prairie on the Wilson Place and attended the Wilson School until eighth grade. In the fall of 1928, she with her family moved to Weippe so the older children could go to high school. She graduated from Weippe High School in 1932. Then with her mother and younger siblings, she moved to Lewiston in the fall to attend Lewis-Clark Normal School and work toward a teaching certificate. She graduated in 1934. She started her teaching career at Elk River. She then worked the summer of 1937 in the business office at the Blusterous Camp in between Pierce and Weippe.
She obtained a teaching position in Rockford, WA where she met her husband, Reginald P. Wise. They were married
April 4, 1939 at Lacrosse, WA. They lived at Hay, WA and worked for R.D. Smith. Mildred cooked for the ranch crew. Then they moved to Weippe for a while. Later they ran the dairy for Luther Wise (Reggie's father) at Lacrosse, WA. Mildred taught at Stites in 1944 and 45. She then stayed home to raise her two children Wynn and Janet.
She was a leader of 4-H, teaching many children cooking and knitting classes.
Reggie and Mildred, with Eldon and Lela Hutchins, bought the store H & W Mercantile from Glenn Jordon in 1950.
Mildred continued her teaching and substitute teaching career in 1961 and 1962. She continued her own education at Walla Walla College in College Place, WA and the University of Idaho in Moscow.
Mildred, Reggie and their children moved to Bozeman, MT so that she could go to Montana State University to further her education. She received a Bachelor in Business and Home Economics in 1964.
The family then returned to Weippe where she continued to teach at Weippe High School until 1967. That summer she went to Hawaii for her continuing education. Then the family moved to Canada where she taught at Canadian Union College. She returned to Weippe and taught at Weippe High School and Timberline High School until retirement in the 1980s.
She lost her husband of 47 years on May 11, 1986.
Mildred had lots of hobbies ranching, gardening, flowers, yard decorating, ceramics, glass cutting, cake decorating, sewing, crocheting, knitting, fishing and camping, Brazilianembroidery and candle making.
Mildred had the one and only Carr Reunion up the Lochsa at Three Rivers Resort. She had numerous family dinners at her home.
She loved to travel she went to Hawaii twice, North Carolina, Alaska and would go to Arizona in the summers while she was teaching. After retirement, she would spend the winters in Arizona and summers in Weippe. She lived in Weippe until 2001-2002. She then moved to Clarkston, WA until she was unable to care for herself and entered a nursing home until her death Jan. 17, 2009.
Mildred took music lessons from Mr. Dobson in Orofino. She car pooled with Lela Hutchins and Vivian Miles. She also played the saxophone.
She attended the Seventh-day Adventist Church and helped fund the church school to keep it going. Mildred helped to further the education and music of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Leola Jeanne Stoneback, 1941-2008
Leola Jeanne Stoneback of Orofino, age 67 passed away Dec. 21, 2008 at the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA from long term illnesses. She was born in Madison, SD June 26, 1941, and grew up in Madison, Waterloo, IA, Sandpoint, Kalispell and Hot Springs, MT, before moving to Orofino, in 1975.
She was an ambitious and creative person who loved crafts, gardening and her animals which included several years of showing the Chihuahuas she raised. Many people who knew her marveled at her strength and courage. Leola spent 12 years as a rancher's wife raising their 3 children and sharing the operation of the Merritt ranch in Hot Springs, MT, before moving to Orofino where she owned and operated the Green Acres Nursery for several years, as well as The Puppy Palace, where she groomed and boarded animals. She lived in Kodiak, Old Harbor, and at several logging camps in South Eastern Alaska for several years. She operated a large boarding facility in Kodiak, served as a village public nurse in Old Harbor, and cooked in the logging camps in South Eastern, AK. Other professions she held were as a chef, and a long-haul truck driver.
Leola was highly regarded as a Past Matron of Eastern Star in Hot Springs, MT.
She is survived by two sons, Gary Merritt, Ret. Navy and wife Jeanette, Marysville, WA; Roger Merritt and wife Leigh, Sidney, MT, her daughter Mary Jo Merritt, Orofino; two sisters Sharleen (Stoneback) Ashcraft brother-in-law Dr. Walker J Ashcraft, Hamilton, MT, Diana (Stoneback) Fraley brother-in-law Richard Fraley, Ret. USCG, Palmer, AK; and her brother James Stoneback, Ret. USCG sister-in-law Virgie (Zimmerman) Stoneback, Elgin, N.D. She is also survived by grandchildren, Stacey Merritt, Heather Merritt, Ali Jo Merritt, Dustin Merritt, Jason Merritt and Brennen Merritt; nephews Lt. Col. Paul Ashcraft, Brian Fraley, James Stoneback, Neal Stoneback, Eric Stoneback, Chris Stoneback and niece Jeannie (Stoneback) Marshall.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley S. and Wilma M. Stoneback.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Orofino Methodist Church on Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. All family and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations to any service dog organization are suggested in honor of Leola's dedicated Labrador Retriever, Emmy, her devoted companion and service dog who misses her mistress terribly. International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), 38691 Filly Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 is one such organization.
Steven Robert Weeks, 63, formerly of Orofino
Steven Robert Weeks died July 9, 2009 at the Pinewood Care Center in Coeur d'Alene from complications of pneumonia. He was born March 15, 1946 in Kamiah to Robert Weeks and Diane Hazelbaker- Weeks.
Steve loved the Clearwater Valley and lived there most of his life. He attended schools in Kamiah, Kooskia and Orofino. He sometimes caught a fish or two during school hours, but he hated it when he got caught skipping as cutting his own willow switch never ended well. Steve was a true rebel from the 60's with the cars, the cigarette in his mouth and you-can't-stop-me attitude. He enjoyed working on car motors and always had one or two in pieces with a couple more in the wings that he was doing some horse trading on.
He had a variety of jobs mostly working in the woods making posts or wood to sell to keep some money in his pocket. He never had much, but would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it more than he did. Steve was close to a few of his cousins and together they tormented much of the valley with their drinking and fighting for the rights of the little guy.
The family moved to Oregon and Steve lived in several different places with a variety of jobs. He married
twice and created partnerships that provided him with a large extended family. He moved several times between Oregon and Idaho and eventually came back to Kooskia and opened a tire shop. He liked to drive around and check on his Dad, uncles and cousins in the area and see how many deer he could see from his pickup window.
Steve is survived by his daughters, Peggy Franke (Mike) of Baker City, OR and Kathy Roberts (Jim) of Ogden, UT; mother, Diane Elkins of Yakima, WA; brothe,r Larry Weeks (Dee) of Lewiston; and sister, Dawna Mae Glenn (Jerry) of Yakima, WA. Other survivors include stepsister, Donna Marie Davis of Prescott, AZ and adopted sister, Barbie Elkins of Baker City, OR. He had four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many in his extended family who called him Dad or Grandpa. He was Uncle Steve to many special nieces and nephews and enjoyed the friendship of his cousins throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother Robert and Carolyn Weeks and his stepfather Dan Elkins.
Steve's health began declining several years ago. He first had caregivers in his home and eventually needed the facilities of a nursing home, first in Orofino and then in Coeur d' Alene. He was very thankful for the many calls he received from friends and family and to those who made the trip to see him wherever he was. Steve loved the many wonderful aspects of the Clearwater Valley to include its people, abundant wildlife and beautiful rivers. He is now at peace and back home.
Graveside inurnment will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Pine Grove cemetery in Kooskia. A no-host lunch will follow. Arrangements are under the care of Trenary's Funeral Home.
Rosie M. Gortsema, 77
Rose Marie "Rosie" Gortsema, 77, of Grangeville, passed away Monday, July 13, 2009, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Rosie was born May 23, 1932 at Grangeville, a daughter of Richard and Zelma Jess Seay. She attended Grangeville schools, graduating from Grangeville High School in 1950. She married
Wilbur M. Gortsema on June 1, 1950 at Grangeville. She worked for Sam and Muriel Lindsey as a housekeeper before going to work at Lindsley's Furniture as an interior decorator. Mr. Gortsema passed away in 1974 from a logging accident. She ran Mac's Bar and Restaurant in White Bird in the 1980's and then returned to interior decorating and retired in the mid 1990's.
She was a member of the Grangeville Elks Lodge.
She liked to fish on the South Fork of the Clearwater River and Mill Creek. She also enjoyed gardening, especially raising flowers.
She is survived by her children, Rod and wife Teena Gortsema of Orofino; Connie Carlin of Arlington, WA; Monty "Butch" and wife Dawn of Proctor, MN; and Debbie Armstrong of Arlington, WA; one brother, Dick and Juanita Seay and their children of Grangeville; grandchildren, Alicia and Guy Ellibee of Clarkston, WA; Brian Gortsema and Christi Gortsema both of Grangeville; Cory Carlin of Trinidad, CO; Mathew Armstrong of Everett, WA; Trisha Gortsema and Josh Gortsema, both of Chardon, NE; and Shauna Gortsema of Crawford, NE; seven great grandchildren, four step grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilbur; and one sister, Pat Brown.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.
