Archived Marriage Records
James Edward Lawrence Jr., 54
James went to be with our creator Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. James was born to James and Verna Bernice Lawrence Dec. 12, 1956, in Clarkston, WA.
His family home was in Lapwai. He attended grade schools in the Lapwai area and high school at Chemawa Indian School in Salem, OR He later attended welding school at United Tribes Technical School in Bismarck, ND, where he met Natalie Little Owl.
James and Natalie were married
in April 1981 and gave life to his only child, Jaime Nadell Lawrence, but divorced in 1984.
James was an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe.
He enjoyed being with family and friends, listening to music and watching movies. He was a very giving and friendly man who was always smiling and had much love for his family.
James is survived by his daughter, Jaime Lawrence-Bad Bear; son-in-law, Vincent Bad Bear; and granddaughter, Jaivin Bad Bear; all of Crow Agency, MT; brothers, Bruce and Roger Lawrence, both of Lapwai; sisters, Mary Lawrence and Marcia Villegas, both of Lapwai; nieces and their spouses, Vestal and Antonio Smith, and Verna Taylor and Randall Higheagle, all of Lapwai; grand-nieces, Jasmine Smith, Asia Taylor, Kiara Smith and Kelani Smith, all of Lapwai; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Verna Bernice; maternal grandparents, Caleb and Mary Carter; paternal grandparents, Osias and Ellen Lawrence; and nephew, Michael Taylor Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at the Clearwater Health and Rehabilitation Center in Orofino for their care.
A memorial was conducted at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. Funeral services were Wednesday, also at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center, followed by the burial at the Nez Perce Tribal cemetery and dinner at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center.
Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston is in charge of the arrangements.
Henry 'Mike' Morrison, 76, Orofino
Henry (Michael H.) Morrison the "miracle man",got his last "Miracle" of all--he went to be with the Lord on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. This ended 17 1/2 years of fighting ill health here on earth.
He was born in Garfield, AR, April 17, 1935 to Virgil and Nova (Duke) Morrison.
Mike married
Patricia A. Pedersen on April 17, 1957 in Boise. Their three precious children were also born in Boise.
Mike did many things in his working life and allwere done with much gusto. In his retirement years he especially enjoyed his family, fishing, mowing the field and growing tomatoes.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, at their Orofino home. He is also survived by his daughter Debbie (Tim) Ringer of Grangeville; sons, Michael Steven Morrison of Pocatello and Daniel Scott Morrison of Anchorage, AK; brother-in law, Max L. Pedersen in Alaska; four grandchildren, Michael Brandon (Kandi) Morrison, Kendra Marie (Josh) Nelson, Jenifer Nicole Morrison and Jordan Ann Leininger; plus three great-grandchildren, Alexis, Michael Alan and Ezekiel; and a niece and two nephews in Arizona and California. He also leaves behind a dear friend, Wayne 'Perk' Perkins, Orofino, and an old high school buddy, Floyd Gambrel of Eden.
He is now in the arms of those who preceded him in death; his parents and his sister, Virgie Pedersen Truchot.
At his request no services are planned. His ashes and the ashes of his beloved poodle, Foxy, will be spread over the open field at his home on Eureka Ridge.
We miss you, but are so grateful your struggles and pain are over--now you can run and frolic with your little Foxy that you missed so much. Rest in Peace.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory are caring for arrangements.
Joann K. Hansen, 79, formerly of Clearwater County
Joann K. Hansen of Asotin passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at Riverview Residential Care Center of a brain tumor. Joann was born Dec. 23, 1931, to Josef Schmid and Clara Pritchard in Fraser.
Josef went back to Germany and could not return because of the outbreak of World War II. Clara married
the Rev. Emmett Bonner Feb. 1, 1934. Joann had five brothers, Emmett Lee, Tim, Terry, Jim and Philip. She also had three sisters, Joy, Mona and Willy Jo.
Albert Hansen and Joann were married
April 2, 1949.
Through the years, she worked in the logging camps and worked in the office for Potlatch as a key-punch operator. She was a substitute teacher for area schools, and she taught piano lessons every morning that they lived in Headquarters. Joann loved her family and God with all of her heart, mind and soul.
Joann and Ab traveled all over the world helping as missionaries; their favorite place was in the Philippines. Joann was the person who people called when they needed prayer. It didn't matter what time of day that you needed prayer, she was always available. Joann held several positions in Aglow. Her love and compassion for women shined through whenever she found a woman in need.
Joann loved to be outdoors doing something. She loved to hunt, fish, go camping with her family, gardening and skiing. She was a great decorator and loved to change the appearance of her home with various antiques and treasures from her children and grandchildren. She always tried to go to all of the grandkids' concerts and activities. Her grandkids called her Gigi.
Ab and Joann have five children whom they raised in the Headquarters area: Chuck, who is deceased, and his widow Lonna of Lewiston; Kim and his wife Yolanda of Gig Harbor, WA; Quinn Hansen of Clarkston, WA; Craig and his wife Jeanne of Lewiston; and Scott and his wife Cheri of Lewiston. Ab and Joann have 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Joann was also preceded in death by her husband Ab; brother, Emmett Lee Bonner; sister, Joy Bullock; and grandson, Shon Hansen.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.merchantfuneralhome.com.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Abundant Life Church in Clarkston.
Clifford Logan Immel, Jr., 83, Ahsahka
Clifford Logan Immel, Jr., 83, Ahsahka, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Orofino, is caring for arrangements.
Henry Leroy 'Roy)' Clay, 84, Orofino
Henry Leroy 'Roy' Clay, longtime resident of Orofino, passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino after a sudden and unexpected illness. His children were with him at his bedside when the good Lord called him home.
Roy was born in Lewiston on Jan. 22, 1927 to William F. Clay and Marcelle Nadine Hengen. He was the oldest of three children. The family relocated to Portland, OR, during his high school years where he worked in the shipyards learning various trades and skills. After graduating from Franklin High School in Portland he attended Oregon State University in Corvallis studying engineering.
Roy married
Rose Marie Lenz December 28, 1947. Having missed Idaho, Roy and Rose moved to Orofino where he worked in the Orofino Creamery. Roy also put his skills to work in the construction field where he built and remodeled many homes, including his own which he lived in at the time of his death. In 1957 Roy purchased the Fountain in Orofino and eventually decided to remodel it, renaming it the Ponderosa Restaurant. It later became the Ponderosa Restaurant and Brass Rail and is a thriving business today. On Nov. 10, 2002 Roy lost his wife and best friend of 55 years.
Roy leaves behind his most precious gift of all, his three children who were the center of his life; Katherine (Kathy) Hanson and her husband, Larry, Lucinda (Cindy) Freeman and her husband, Fenton, and Michael H. Clay and his wife, Sandy all of Orofino. Other survivors of the family include seven grandchildren, Jeff Hanson, Boise; Janelle Burns, Portland; Rachell Larsen, Orofino; Stephanie Craner, Palmer, AK; Nikki Anderson, Orofino; Hope Coleman, Orofino; and Cory Medley, Orofino; and eleven great-grandchildren. Roy also leaves behind a half-brother, Allen Hengen, a half-sister, Joyce Hanson and a step-sister, Arlene Snowden.
Throughout the years, Roy established friends all over the Northwest, many of them high ranking politicians who often sought advice from Roy regarding local issues. Roy cared about his community and cared even more for the people who lived in Orofino. To help make a difference, he ran for City Council in 1970 and won. In 1974 he ran for Mayor and served twelve years as the Chief Elected Official of Orofino. After a break in Public Service, he was asked to fill a vacancy on the City Council which he accepted. He subsequently won re-election and was running for the City Council again at the time of his death. Between being Mayor and his tenure on the City Council, he served a total of 28 years as a public servant. The only thing he cherished more was his family, his business at the Ponderosa and his love of flying. Oh, how he loved to fly.
Roy served as President of the Orofino Chamber of Commerce as well as President of the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce (NICC). The NICC is a non-partisan organization that has enormous influence with the Idaho Legislature. He believed in standing up and making his voice heard, especially if proposed legislation impacted local government or private sector businesses. Throughout the years he was asked to run for the State Legislature but declined. He remained nonpartisan because he felt he could better serve his community and business environment without taking heated sides.
Roy received many awards throughout his lifetime. Other than his children and family, he was proud of his work trying to ameliorate the jurisdictional differences between the Nez Perce Tribe and many public entities in North Central Idaho. As a result of his dedication and perseverance, Harvard University awarded him an Executive Leadership Certificate. As a result, he and three other individuals from North Central Idaho were asked to speak before the Harvard Law School, the Harvard Business School, Harvard faculty and the students during a week-long speaker tour relating to conflict resolution. What Roy didn't know was that there were world renowned professionals from all over the globe in attendance looking for new strategies dealing with conflict. They couldn't figure out what was working in North Central Idaho. It was a very positive week where he and his group showed extraordinary leadership.
Final services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, at the Best Western Lodge in Orofino. Pine Hills Funeral Home in Orofino is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will take place in Lewiston at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be sent to Clearwater Valley Hospital, 301 Cedar Street, Orofino, ID 83544.
Elvita Judd, 90, formerly of Fraser
Elvita Judd passed away Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at age 90 of age related causes. Born Anna Elvita Green on July 23, 1921 in Blaine, KS, she was the 13th child of James and Josephine Green.
Elvita moved to the Fraser area in 1939 where she met Claud R. Judd. They were married
Sept. 20, 1941 and raised five children together. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary before Claud passed away in 2007. In their early life together, Elvita was a mother and homemaker while Claud worked at Schmidt's lumber mill and helped his father farm. Later, they took over the family homestead and became life long farm people. After retiring they remained living there.
Elvita was very active in the local community.: She belonged to the Fraser Ladies Get Together Club, Clearwater County Homemaker Extension Club, Clearwater Valley Hospital Auxiliary, and was the Fraser News reporter for the Clearwater Tribune for many years. She was a 60-year member of the Fraser Grange, a leader in the Fraser Boosters 4-H club for 50 years and in 2001 she was inducted into the Idaho 4-H Hall of Fame. She was a good cook and known in the community for her pies and in 1968 was chosen Clearwater County Homemaker of the year. She also received numerous awards at the Clearwater County Fairs. While Claud served in the Idaho Legislature, she was a member of the Idaho Legisladies group. She was appointed by then Governor Cecil D. Andrus to serve for three days in place of then Senator Marguerite McLaughlin.
Elvita took pride each year in her beautiful flower garden and had a big vegetable garden which provided canned food for the family. She enjoyed playing cards and hosting people for dinners and gatherings. She was an active member of Our Lady of the Woodland Catholic Church in Pierce. She was a hard worker, very good mother, and loved spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 12 siblings; husband, Claud; and son, Melvin. Survivors include sons, Larry (Cindy) Judd and Don (Sharon) Judd of Lewiston, Howard (Diane) Judd of Coeur d'Alene and daughter, Loretta Judd of Spokane, WA. Elvita is also survived by grandchildren Dave, Toni, David, Cara, Kristin, Leanne, Julie, Brian, Raina, Matt, Brett and Scott and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Pine Hills Funeral Chapel in Orofino. Burial will follow at the Fraser cemetery and a potluck dinner will be at the Fraser Community Center afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Fraser Community Center in care of Marie Armitage, 234 Jackson Rd., Orofino, Idaho 83544 or charity of your choice.
Lester Franklin Steward, 47, Orofino
Lester Franklin Steward, Orofino, passed away Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino. He was taken from us with our dad and younger brother Timothy beside him leading him into the arms of heaven. He was 47.
He was born Oct. 21, 1963 in Orofino to Vena and Bill Steward. He graduated from Orofino High School in 1983 and from Lewis-Clark State College as a computer drafter in 2000, acquiring a job with Cuddy and Associates immediately thereafter.
He took all his tasks seriously and showed diligence and pride in every one ensuring they met all their deadlines. He was a precise draftsman, loving his job and co-workers.
Lester is survived by his mother, Vena Steward; brothers, Billy and wife Chris, Ken, Ron and Jon; sisters, Dena Rose and Tracia Young.; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He took special moments with each one of them giving them all cherished memories and loved making each one feel as if they were his favorite.
He will be forever be loved and missed while he walks in heaven with all our loved ones, dad and Timmy by his side and his aunts and uncles and grandparents holding him in their comfort.
We love you Lester and we're so grateful to call you our brother.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. at Covenant House Christian Center, 12517 Hartford Ave. in Orofino.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.
Gary James Stewart, 71, Weippe
Gary James Stewart, 71, Weippe, died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino of sudden heart failure. We lost our wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He touched lots of hearts in his life time.
He was born Dec. 31, 1939 in Orofino to Stella and Leonard Stewart. He has five siblings, Beryl and (Hank) Spencer of Pierce, Leonard and (Janet) Stewart of Coeur d'Alene, Anita and (Bill) Lear of Peck, Neona and (John) Davis of Pierce and Richard and Judy Stewart of Lewiston. He has many nephews and nieces that love him very much. He would do anything for them.
He married
the love of his life, Shirley Stout on May 13, 1966 in Weippe. They have two daughters, Betty and (John) Stinson of Pierce and Ronda and (Leo) Binder of Orofino; five grandchildren, Gary and Cheri Stewart, John Stinson, Brandon and Nikki Binder; five great grandchildren, Jordon, Tyson, Jaimie, Alyssa and Leighton.
Gary and Shirley lived at Grangemont for 32 years before moving to Weippe where they lived at the time of his death. They spent 45 years together.
Gary worked many different jobs in his lifetime. He enjoyed logging the most. He retired in 2002. He enjoyed having the grandchildren around. He always called them his babies. He always made sure his family was taken care of, even if it meant he went without.
Gary loved to go camping, fishing, hunting and riding his 4-wheeler and going on long rides with his sons-in-law and grandsons. He always called his grandsons by Hey #1 (Gary), Hey #2 (John) and Hey #3 (Brandon).
Services for Gary will be Friday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. at the Weippe Community Hall. A potluck will follow. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. On Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, the family is having a private celebration of Gary's life to spread his ashes.
I cried when you passed away, although I loved you dearly, I couldn't make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke my heart to prove to me he only takes the best.
Dad's Gone Fishing
I went for a walk the morning after my dad passed away. The angels started to cry with me as I walked, I wasn't alone. I felt strong arms around me. It was the Lord and he said to me don't cry my child your dad is with me now and going fishing. I had to laugh to myself who says God doesn't have a sense of humor, and he's taking my dad fishing.
--by Daddy's Little Girl, Ronda
Leroy A. Altmiller, 76, former Clearwater County Sheriff
Leroy A. Altmiller, longtime resident of Lewiston, passed away Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston after a long struggle with cancer. He was born in Ahsahka, Oct. 9, 1934, to Albert and Ruth Altmiller. He was the oldest of four children.
He spent his youth working in the woods and exploring the North Fork of the Clearwater River. He graduated from Orofino High School, where he lettered in boxing, baseball, football and track.
Leroy met his future wife, Janice Maxwell, when he was nine years old, on a trip to visit his cousin. When Leroy returned from his service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, the two married
in 1955 and moved to Bremerton, WA, where they welcomed their eldest son, Jon. They soon moved back to Kamiah, where Leroy served in local law enforcement as an officer and later as chief of police. There, they welcomed their second son, Jerry. The family moved to Headquarters and later to Orofino, after Leroy was elected Clearwater County Sheriff, serving for 10 years. The family then moved to Lewiston, where Leroy acted as security director of Potlatch Corp. for almost 20 years. He was a respected member of the law enforcement community nationwide and is remembered as a just, strong man.
He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could fishing, hunting and camping. He shared his enthusiasm and knowledge of archery and guns with many in the community, running an archery shop after retirement and offering hunting advice. Leroy was a master-class competitive shooter and taught many law enforcement officials and young shooters, including all three of his granddaughters, this skill. Leroy was a loving husband, and devoted father and grandfather.
Leroy was a member of St. James Catholic Church and active in the Knights of Columbus until his health began to decline.
He is survived by his siblings, Darla Alteneder, Sharon Walk and Robert Altmiller; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; his wife of 56 years, Janice Maxwell Altmiller; his daughters-in-law, Jean Cleto Altmiller and Carolyn Altmiller Copeland; his granddaughters, Amy Altmiller Eddy and husband Kevin Eddy, Jennifer Altmiller Kaufman and husband Joe Kaufman, and Amanda Altmiller Wilkins and husband Jerry Wilkins; grandson, Jacob Denny; and his great-grandchildren, Noah, Kate and Glory Eddy, Sam and Natalie Kaufman, and Jolie Altmiller; as well as another great-granddaughter, Peyton Wilkins, who is due to arrive near what would have been Leroy's 77th birthday.
He was preceded in death by his two sons, Jon and Jerry Altmiller. We know the three of them are having a joyful reunion up in heaven.
A vigil will be conducted 6:30 p.m. Friday at St. James Catholic Church, and a memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday at the church.
Memorial gifts may be made to American Cancer Society or the charity of the giver's choice.
