Archived Marriage Records
Loren Ray Olson, 46, Orofino
Loren Ray Olson, 46, Orofino, died Monday June 3, 2013 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston.
Maxine M. Johnstun, 91, Weippe
Maxine Johnstun passed away Friday, May 31, 2013, at the age of 91.
Born to Freeman and Ethel Hirtzel Dec. 20, 1921, in Rainer, OR, she was christened Margaret Maxine, but was always called by her middle name, Maxine, until the grandkids came along. Then she was affectionately known as 'Granny' to many.
After graduating from high school, Maxine enrolled in Oregon College of Education at Monmouth. At college, she was in drama club and the chorus and was named Outstanding Senior woman.
Maxine married
her sweetheart, Jess Johnstun on Dec. 27, 1941. She graduated in the spring of 1942 and returned to Rainier to teach the fourth and seventh grades, while Jess was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. She taught until they started a family upon his return from the war. They were married
35 years until his death, Dec. 8, 1976.
In the summer of 1958, Jess and Maxine and five children left Rainier for Weippe and purchased the Ehlinger Sawmill and house. They embraced their new community and became involved with PTA, booster club and all the activities at the schools in Weippe. Maxine always considered herself an advocate for the schools and community. She was instrumental in getting the Gorilla mascot back where she felt it belonged--on the Weippe water tower.
Maxine contributed to the Clearwater Tribune in her column entitled 'Happenings on the Hill' for about 10 years. She started the job, around 1994, well after retirement age and took her job very seriously, attending town functions and calling to verify facts and details. She donated all of her earnings to community schools and activities, most notably to the band program at Timberline.
One of Maxine's greatest joys was to participate in the annual Weippe Rodeo Parade. She had many floats featuring her grandchildren and was thrilled and honored to be named Grand Marshall of the parade in 1991.
With her health declining, Maxine moved off the hill and into assisted living at Brookside Landing and most recently to Clearwater Health and Rehab, both in Orofino.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Jess, and her oldest son, Jess Johnstun, Jr., and her four siblings. She is survived by her children: Joel (Jolene) Johnstun of Boise, Joyce (Robert) Bowlby of Seattle, WA, Jerry (Nancy) Johnstun of Weippe and Jan (Douglas) Meckley of Hagerstown, MD; her grandchildren: Joel W. Johnstun (Circe Selders) of Chubbuck, Juliet (Matthew) Reece and daughters Ashlyn and Makenna Reece of Ivyland, PA, Lisa Meckley (Tucker Sylvestro) of Boston, MA, Laura Meckley of Hagerstown, MD, Matthew Johstun (Amanda) and son, Jayce of Coeur d'Alene and Kyle Johnstun (Jessica Roberts) and daughter Shylei of Lewiston; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the Weippe Community Hall. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Rainier, OR, on Monday, June 10.
The family suggests donations to: Weippe Hilltop Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 279, Weippe, ID 83553 or Weippe Community Hall, P.O. Box 351, Weippe, ID 83553.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is caring for arrangements.
Donna Chmielewski, 58, Lenore
Donna Chmielewski, 58, Lenore, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013 at her Riverbend Vineyard home in Lenore. She fought a long, hard battle against cancer and was surrounded by family and friends at her passing. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
In Donna's memory, a Wake will be held at the Chmielewski home at 20618 Riverbend Ln, Lenore, Idaho on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 3 p.m. Pine Hills Funeral Home is handling her arrangements.
Donna was born in Sacramento, California, CA to Frances Benge and Tedd King on October 22, 1954.The family moved to Novato, CA where Donna graduated from Novato High in 1972. She went on to earn a degree/certificate in Nursing in Reno, NV. She worked in various careers over the years before working at Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinic in Orofino. She enjoyed gardening, listening to music, fishing with her husband and spending time outdoors.
Donna is preceded in death by her dad, Jack Benge and son, Kacey John Covell.
Donna is survived by her loving husband of 17 years, Tony Chmielewski; her mother, Frances Benge, Colorado; father Tedd King (Carol), CA; her daughters Jessie Covell, Louisiana, Teri Sebastian (Lee), Georgia, Tena Chmielewski, Florida; Her brother Marc Benge (Arlene), Colorado; grandsons Gabe and Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Idaho Food Bank, 1300 East Main St, Lewiston, Idaho 83501.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to St. Joseph's Family Hospice, Dr. Pant in Lewiston, and their good friends Dennis and Trish Reynolds.
Phil 'Earl' Druker, 65, formerly of Clearwater County
Phil Druker (aka Earl) died peacefully surrounded by friends in the early morning Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
He was born June 5, 1947, in Chicago, the first son of Leonard and Jean Druker. He grew up in St. Paul, MN, not far from the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Falls. When he was very young he traveled to Seattle, WA to visit his grade school buddy, John Ploeger (with whom he remained friends all his life). After that he always wanted to be near mountains.
When he graduated from high school, he enrolled at the University of Colorado. There, however, he proved you can have too much fun, so he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the College of St. Thomas in 1969.
Before he was drafted for military service, he applied for conscientious objector status. After receiving that, he served his country honorably as an orderly at Denver General Hospital, where he worked on the medical ward and the psychiatric ward. He often said it was the best job he ever had because he learned so much about people.
After completing his alternative service, he went to the University of Mexico in Mexico City to learn Spanish. Then, instead of returning to the U.S. as planned, he hitchhiked through Central and South America all the way to Tierra del Fuego. Along the way, he visited most of the main archaeological sites and taught English in Bolivia.
When he returned to the U.S. in 1974, he traveled to Idaho to visit friends on their stump farm near Cavendish, and he never left Idaho. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service and then as a logger.
He married
Barb Deyo. They lived on Lower Ford's Creek, at Schmidt's Mill and then near Nezperce, where he worked for Barb's uncle on his wheat ranch. When he injured his back logging he decided to return to school and went to the University of Idaho, where he earned a master's degree in teaching English as a second language. During this time, he and Barb divorced, but they remained lifelong friends.
Jobs were scarce in 1983, when he graduated with his master of arts, but he lucked out when Washington State University opened a new language school and he was one of the first teachers hired. He taught and helped develop curriculum and along the way he began teaching technical writing. He liked teaching, but he loved the mountains and rivers more, so he spent his winters skiing the backcountry and his summers backpacking, rafting and hiking.
In 1990, he returned to UI to teach technical writing and advanced writing courses that he developed, including travel writing and environmental writing. He edited Palouse Journal and wrote occasional articles for the Lewiston Tribune's outdoor page. With his colleague Mary Clearman Blew, he edited "Forged in Fire: Essays by Idaho Writers" and "Borne on Air: Essays by Idaho Writers".
In 1994, he and Jeannie Harvey married
. They traveled though much of Asia and Europe and spent winter vacations with their great friends Ian von Lindern and Margrit von Braun in Mexico or the Caribbean. They spent summers hiking, backpacking and traveling. For his 50th birthday, he spent nearly a month climbing Mount Logan (the highest mountain in Canada), and he participated in a few other climbing expeditions in Alaska and Canada. He also helped with projects on the Juneau Icefield many summers. When Jeannie's work took her to Bangladesh they often traveled to Nepal, where they did a number of treks in the Himalayas. Out of that experience he wrote "Beyond the Clouds: Trekking in the Hidden Land of Dolpo." A group of friends recently published that book.
Phil had a wide circle of friends, more friends than he deserved given his grouchiness. He had a great laugh, could tell good stories and had extensive backcountry skills. People were usually glad to put up with him, even if he was slow.
His brother Brian and his colleagues helped Phil through his struggle with prostate cancer. They kept him alive longer than anyone expected. He was hiking and skiing until the end and maintained his good humor through it all.
Phil regrets leaving Jeannie, his old friends, his young friends, his brothers and sister, and his nieces and nephews - he wished he could be with them all forever and a day. Phil, who wrote the bulk of this obituary, would like you all to remember to have a kind heart.
Contributions in his name may be directed to the Idaho Conservation League, the Latah Trail Foundation, White Pine Chapter - Idaho Native Plant Society or other conservation organizations.
There will be a party to celebrate his life in June, with details to be announced.
Gerald Knapp, 77, formerly of Orofino
Gerald Merton Knapp, 77, of Clarkston, WA passed away May 24, 2013, at his home. He was born April 28, 1936, to Oak and Mary (Hansen) Knapp in Orofino. He attended Colville High School and was in the graduating class of 1954. He attended Washington State University and graduated from there in 1958 with a degree in civil engineering. He was in the National Guard in 1958.
Gerald married
Judith Ann (Judy) Sieger April 8, 1962, in Colville, WA. She passed away Oct. 17, 2010. He married
Diane Gentry Rodakowski Sept. 22, 2012, in Coeur d'Alene.
While growing up he lived in Orofino, Rexford, MT, and Colville. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1959 to 1984. During that time he was in Colville from 1959 to 1962; Missoula, MT, from 1962 to 1965; and Orofino from 1965 to 1984. He retired from the USFS after 25 years. He then moved to Reno, NV, in 1984 and then Las Vegas, NV in 1990, while working for several engineering firms. His last job was as safety officer for Dow Industries in Las Vegas before retiring in 2006. He moved back to the Lewiston area in September 2012.
Jerry had a passion for history, with a special interest in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He loved attending the athletic and musical events of his children and grandchildren - always their biggest fan. He enjoyed gardening, making hot sauce, playing board games and cards. He volunteered at the Sahara West Branch of the Las Vegas Public Library. During his years in Orofino, he was an avid steelhead fisherman and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He approached life with a positive attitude. He never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went.
He is survived by his wife, Diane of Clarkston; son, Frank Knapp of Kent, WA; daughter Thea Decker of Henderson, NV; brothers Robert Knapp of Lewiston, Hugh Knapp of Redmond, WA, and Neil Knapp of Spokane, WA; granddaughters Hannah and Emma Knapp, both of Kent, Lindsay and Amanda Decker, both of Henderson; grandsons Andrew, Michael, and Austin Decker, all of Henderson; stepchildren Angie, Elise, Emily and Tracy; and step-grandchildren Sierra, Madigan, Sasha, Aubree and Easton. He was preceded in death by his brothers Lloyd Knapp and Frank Knapp, and wife Judith Knapp.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Victor Julius Schuback, 85, formerly of Orofino
Victor Julius Schubach, 85, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2013, from a head injury sustained in a fall. He was born in Orofino March 4, 1928. He attended Banner Grade School in Orofino with his twin sister, Nadean Kubicek, older sister June Pomerinke and younger brother William Schubach. He graduated from Orofino High School in 1946.
He worked at White Pine Lumber Mill in Orofino until he was drafted. He served in the U.S. Army in Schweinfurt, Germany, from 1950-1952. He enjoyed riding his Indian Chief motorcycle as a young man and fishing in Whiskey Creek and Orofino Creek from childhood to adulthood. He brought home many tasty fish and was an excellent hunter. He always got a deer and fed his young family well during many financially difficult years. He married
Beverly Plett in 1952 and they later divorced. They had two daughters, Pam Moore and Gail Jensen.
After returning from Germany, Victor again worked at the White Pine Lumber Mill in Orofino until 1959. The family moved to San Jose, CA, in 1960 and to Boise in 1964. In 1968, the family moved to Lewiston, where Victor went to work for the Lewiston Post Office as a clerk and retired in 1991. He enjoyed walking on the dikes for exercise and formed a friendship with some ducks he fed, who came waddling to meet him when they saw him approaching. Victor donated 49 pints of blood through the Red Cross to support the good work the group does. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for many years.
Victor married
Yvonne Diddock Johnston June 28, 1980, and they lived on Normal Hill until his death. He and Yvonne enjoyed short road trips, dancing and the Oregon Coast. In 1995, they made a wonderful trip to Rarotonga in the South Pacific and enjoyed the beauty of the island. They also made a trip to Hawaii about 10 years ago.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his sister, June; his brother, Bill and his wife, Prudy; his brother-in-law, Pete Kubicek; his two daughters and son-in-law, Gail Jensen, Pam and husband Chris Moore; stepchildren Rick Stevenson, Jeff and wife Bonnie Stevenson, Lori and husband John Jordan, and Yvette and husband Don Entus. He has seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Florence Schubach, his twin sister, Nadean Kubicek and his brother-in-law, Floyd Pomerinke.
There will be a small, family graveside service. The family requests no flowers, but a donation to the St. Joseph's Family Hospice could be made in his memory.
Lorna O. Casteel, 85, formerly of Orofino
Lorna O. Casteel passed away into the loving arms of her Lord Sunday, May 19, 2013, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.
She was born to Selmer and Harriet Nelson Jan. 14, 1928, in Orofino. She enjoyed living in Orofino raising three children with the love of her life, Marshall Casteel, whom she married
Sept. 19, 1945.
They moved to Lewiston in 1996.
She was an avid reader and loved all kinds of music. She enjoyed camping, sewing, knitting, crocheting and making bead necklaces. She loved growing things, especially roses.
She was always helping her family and friends. She volunteered in the Community Thrift Store, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Friends of the Library and Center for Adult Reading Skills while living in Orofino.
She is survived by her daughters, Shannon Casteel and Marsha Casteel and family of Lewiston; and her son, George Casteel and family of Grangeville. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her eight brothers and sisters.
She will be missed by her family and friends.
At her request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, Shannon requests donations be sent to Queen of Hearts, the search and rescue K-9 of the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 896 Lewiston, ID 83501.
Shannon would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Lewiston Life Care Center and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for the care and kindness they gave Lorna.
Ethel B. Goffinet, 88, formerly of Southwick, Orofino
Ethel Bessie Goffinet died May 21, 2013, at the Life Care Center in Lewiston, after a battle with cancer and diabetes. She was 88 years old, having been born June 22, 1924.
Ethel was born at her family home in Southwick to William Cowger and Bessie Smith Cowger, the seventh of eight children. She went to the local schools and then to Southwick High School and graduated in 1942.
After graduation, she briefly attended a business school in Weiser. She then went from Southwick to Orofino and worked as a waitress in Orofino. It was there that she met Lyle Goffinet, who became her husband, and they married
Aug. 19, 1943.
During the early years of their marriage, they lived in logging camps at Whiskey Butte and Grangemont. Then they moved to Orofino, purchasing a house on Canada Hill, where they lived until they moved to the Glenwood neighborhood. It was in that house where she and the family lived for 50 years.
Ethel worked in many retail establishments in Orofino, including Crockette's Hardware, Hayes Food Stores, and the Downtown Grocery. She also managed the Circle K convenience store. She then worked at the State Hospital North kitchen until her retirement.
She then moved to Lewiston to be closer to her son who lived there. Her last years were spent in Lewiston, close to her family.
She is survived by her sons, Joe and his wife Sally, Jim and his wife Chris; and her daughter, Shirley and her husband Craig. Additionally, she has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Mabel Cowger.
There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Southwick cemetery. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Lorena F. Shinn, 93, taught at Teakean
Lorena F. Shinn, 93, was born Feb. 6, 1920, in Bonners Ferry to Joe and Goldie Neumayer, and died Jan. 13, 2014, at her home. After graduating from Bonners Ferry High School, she went to college at Lewiston State Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College). She taught in White Bird and Teakean before moving to the Lewiston schools in 1943, where she taught at Webster, Orchards and Garfield elementary schools.
She married
Marion Shinn in 1945, when he returned from military duty after World War II. They lived in Pullman, WA for two years while Marion attended Washington State University, then returned to Lewiston in 1948 and have lived there since then. When the children were young, and Marion was a chemistry teacher at Lewiston High School, they spent their summers in Glacier National Park, where Marion was a park ranger. After Marion became the dean of Vocational Education at Lewis-Clark State College in 1965, she joined him on many business trips to all parts of the United States. After his retirement in 1981, they traveled for pleasure to more than 60 countries and enjoyed presenting travelogues to many community groups.
Volunteering was an important part of her life. She was a member of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary for 15 years and served as president for two years. She assisted with the Alumni Association at Lewis-Clark State College when the organization was first formed. She was active in the Orchards United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Lewiston City Library and helped deliver food in the senior nutrition program for a dozen years. She was an avid gardener and sharing flowers and vegetables with friends and the community was one of her greatest joys. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing, quilting, crafts and cooking.
She is survived by her husband, Marion; son, Philip of Lewiston; daughter, Donna Loucks (Bryon) of Centralia, WA.; brother, George Neumayer (Lee) of Boise; sister, Phyllis Wester of Spokane, WA; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Orchards United Methodist Church, 1213 Burrell Ave., Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Orchards United Methodist Church, the Shinn Scholarship Fund at Lewis-Clark State College, Nez Perce County Historical Society or city of Lewiston Library Foundation.
Frieda Jean Aiken, 80
A Graveside Memorial Service for Freda Jean Aiken (Sept. 8, 1933 - Dec. 28, 2013) will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the North Fork Presbyterian cemetery, Ahsahka, Idaho. Officiated by Pastor Mary Jane Miles.
