Archived Marriage Records
Leona Clara Fisher
Leona Clara Fisher, 86, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2002 at her home in Clayton.
She was born on September 3, 1916 in Des Moines, Iowa the oldest of two children born to Roy and Alberta (Pruett) Betts. She grew up in Iowa and graduated from the Gem State Academy in Caldwell. Following high school she went to the Walla Walla University where she earned her teaching certificate. After graduation she was sent to Slate Creek above Clayton for her first teaching assignment. She taught the Fisher children at the Fisher Ranch for a few years.
While teaching, she met Alfred Fisher. They were united in marriage on December 21, 1940 in Hailey, and to this union three children were born: Ronald, Leonard and Glenda. Alfred and Leona were blessed with 62 years together.
They made their home in parts of Custer, Lemhi and Jerome counties while the children were growing up. Leona and Alfred lived in Clayton from 1955 in the old Crawford house until 1966 when they moved to the East Fork home where they resided presently.
Leona was an outdoors person. She enjoyed spending time in the garden tending to her flowers and yard. She spent hours puttering around outside and looking for the prettiest rock. Her many hobbies included sewing, scrapbooking and her favorite, working crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her husband, Alfred of Clayton, two sons: Ronald Fisher and his wife, Pat of Thompson Falls, Montana, Leonard Fisher and his wife, Diane of Clayton; daughter Glenda Cates and her husband, Alan of Pocatello; nine grandchildren: Diane Monroe and her husband, Don of Spokane, Washington, LeeAnne Sapp and her husband, Greg of Rathdrum, Chris Fisher of Sand Point, Paul L. Fisher and his wife, Kelly of Wells, Nevada, Dena Fisher of Twin Falls, Evan Fisher of Clayton, DeLane Cates and his wife, Mary of Metline, Washington, Tim Cates of Portland, Oregon, Teresa McKissack of Pocatello, 15 great-grand-children; one brother Chauncey Betts and his wife, Gwen of Kennewick, Washington; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services for Leona Fisher were conducted from the Challis Community Church U.C.C. on Friday, December 27 with the Pastor Brian Carlton officiating and under auspices of the Silver Leaf Rebekah’s #27. Interment was in the Challis Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Clayton Community Hall or the Rebekah’s Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Jones & Casey Funeral Home of Salmon.
Martha Klug Lyon
Martha Klug Lyon, 83, passed away March 21, 2003 at Bremerton, Washington from congestive heart failure.
She was born on the Klug Ranch two miles west of Challis to Alexander and Martha Tewalt Klug on July 1, 1919. The scenic Garden Creek flowed by their large two-story home which provided water for both their household needs and for their sheep and cattle.
The majestic, yet rugged mountains and the Salmon River provided a natural splendor during her childhood years. When not attending school, she was the sheepherder in the hills surrounding the Klug Ranch. She found solitude with her dog, horse, the sheep and out of necessity had a rifle close by.
Walking to school with her sister Kathleen six years older than her, she attended Challis schools. She married Watson Perry, had a son and was later divorced. She graduated from beauty school in Pocatello in 1940 and returned to Challis to be with her young son and opened a beauty shop.
During WWII, she married Arvice Lyon, Gunners Mate 3rd class in San Francisco, after surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor. Two daughters were born during the War, Anna Mae in 1942 and Emma Jean in 1944. After the war, a second son, Jim, was born. Martha’s young family moved to her husband’s home state of Arkansas to live on a 40 acre farm.
Her husband joined the Army in late 40s which took the family to South Carolina, Florida and back to Arkansas when he was sent to fight in the Korean War. Back from Korea, the family moved to Fort Hood, Texas and lastly to Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas where her husband retired in 1960.
After Martha’s husband died in 1965, she sought employment for the first time in that city. Initially, for a short time, she was a manicurist. Later Martha obtained a laboratory technician position with Bordens in El Paso. Five years later she transferred to their plant in Amarillo, TX where she retired after 17 years in 1984. In 1994, Martha moved to Walla Walla, Washington to be near her youngest daughter, Emma Jean and later moved to Bremerton in 2000 when they moved to the area.
She is survived by daughter, Emma Jean Woollen, a son, Jim Lyon, and Watson Perry; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Arvice, her daughter Anna Mae Brown and sister Kathleen Klug Williams.
Services and arrangements were by Salmon River Funeral Chapel, 900 Mulkey Street, Salmon.
Graveside services were held March 26 at Challis Cemetery. Burial was in the Challis Cemetery.
Don Alder
Don Vernal Alder, 85, passed away March 8, 2003 in Salmon.
He was born on April 8, 1917 in May, the son of Alonza & Caroline Abbott Alder.
Don attended school at Ellis until the eighth grade and rode horseback seven miles to school every day. After completing the eighth grade Don went to work ranching in the Pahsimeroi Valley. Don then entered the US Army during WWII in 1942. He was discharged with honors in 1946.
He went to work in Gardenia, California to work on aircraft with his brother Glen for a couple years for Douglas Aircraft. Don came back to Salmon later and went to work for the Forest Service and later had to retire due to health.
He joined the Old Time Fiddlers years ago and that was one of his biggest joys. He also loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, going over to Hamilton and Missoula and his family.
Don was also a member of the American Legion.
Don is survived by his brother Glen, his wife Mary Alder of Salmon and numerous nieces and nephews, including nephew Bill Alder of Challis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services were held March 12 at the Salmon Cemetery
with Bill Alder officiating.
Burial in the Salmon Cemetery
was under the auspices of Lloyd Shaw American Legion Post No. 67 of Salmon. Two songs were performed by the Old Times Fiddlers at the committal service at Salmon Cemetery. Arrangements were by Salmon River Funeral Chapel.
Wanza F. Philps
Wanza F. Philps, 87, passed away March 4, 2003 at Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon.
She was born on January 16, 1916 in Pratt, Kansas the third of six children born to George and Lettie (Palmer) Newton.
She grew up in Pratt and graduated with the class of 1934. She came to Idaho to visit her uncle in 1941. During this visit she met David Philps at a church luncheon. They were married on June 1, 1941. The family was made complete with the addition of their three children: Richard, Marvin and Cheryl.
They lived on the ranch in rural Challis where they raised cattle. Wanza took care of the chickens and cooked for the family including the hired men. She was a faithful caregiver for her mother-in-law for more than 20 years. Wanza was a longtime member of Challis Community Church U.C.C., member of Ladies Aid, Canasta Card Club and Country Club. In her spare time Wanza enjoyed reading and knitting.
She is survived by her son Rick Philps and his wife, Cheryl of Challis; daughter Cheryl Baker and her husband, Doug of Clayton; five grandchildren: Amber Watkins of Salmon; David Philps and his wife, Cindy of Challis, Katina Philps of Rexburg: Stacy Baker of Clayton, Sarah Baker of Moscow; two great-grandchildren, Kelly Watkins of Salmon, Merritt Philps of Challis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wanza was preceded in death by her husband David, son Marvin, parents, mother-in-law Ethel Philps, three brothers: George, Forest and Oliver Newton, two sisters: Frieda Kessinger and Mary Moore.
Funeral services for Wanza Philps were conducted on Monday, March 10 at the Challis Community Church U.C.C. with the Reverend Richard Miller officiating. Interment was in the Challis Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brandon McFarland, Tom Yacomella, David Philps, Tim Corrigan, Scott Curtis and Norman Doll. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Green, Fields Bender, Mike Curtis, Ryan Curtis, Howard Cameron and Dennis Stevens.
Dan Corrigan sang The Old Rugged Cross and Amazing Grace with organist Betty Corrigan. Cheryl Baker sang In the Garden. The eulogist was Amber Watkins. A poem was read by Katina Philps.
The Jones & Casey Funeral Home of Salmon was in charge of arrangements.
Myrna Ida Smith
Myrna Ida Smith, 69, passed away February 19 of an extended illness at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana.
She was born May 23, 1933 in Challis to Albert and Rita Wilson Siebe.
Myrna graduated from Challis High School and attended nursing school at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. When in Butte she met her husband Jim. They lived many years in Montana and Idaho. While in Pocatello, Myrna earned a degree in speech pathology and audiology at Idaho State University. Jim and Myrna moved back to Montana and eventually to Bozeman where they owned Windmill Furniture Clinic.
Myrna is survived by her husband and best friend Herbert J. Smith, Bozeman, children Joan Collett, Pocatello, John Smith (Luanne), Helena, Montana and William “Bill” Smith (Serena), Hayden Lake. She also had seven grandchildren: Megan (Dave), Pocatello, Kevin, Fort Collins, Lindsay, New Orleans, Laura, Helena, Tynan, Brandon (Pocatello), Kari, Hayden, and three great-grandchildren: Brayden, David, and Dallin, Pocatello. Myrna is also survived by a brother Keneth Siebe (Lois) Pasco, sister-in-law Myrtle Siebe, Challis, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by both parents and her brother, Fred Siebe.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place this summer for family and friends in Bozeman.
Mitch Swain
Mitch Swain, 46, passed away February 10, 2003 in Carson City, Nevada.
He was born June 10, 1956 in Ely, Nevada to Robert and Joanna B. Swain.
After graduating from White Pine High School in Ely, Nevada, Mitch went on to attend Idaho State University Vocational Tech, graduating with honors in 1979. He traveled with construction companies until 1982 when he settled down in Challis to work at Cyprus Thompson Creek. Challis became his home for the greater part of the rest of his life, moving away occasionally for short periods of time to follow work.
Mitch was a loving man. He helped others out when in need and he could always talk up a storm when amongst friends. He loved to hunt, camp, or go boating at the lake. When it came to the outdoors he was ready. In his younger years he was an avid motorcycle racer and football player. All who knew him will miss him.
He is survived by his wife Carla Swain of Challis and three sons, Colton Swain, Challis, Todd (Heather) Swain, Phoenix, AZ and Brandon (McKinsey) Swain, Seattle, WA; his parents, Robert and Joanna Swain, Ely, Nevada; three brothers, Chris (Sharmaine) Swain, West Valley City, UT, Tim (Nikki) Swain, Boise, Kevin (Janene) Swain, Denver, CO, one sister, Michelle (Jesse) Frandsen; two grandchildren, Harley and Logan Swain and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held February 18 at St. Louise Catholic Church in Challis. Immediately after was a graveside service followed by a luncheon at the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family has set up an account for the benefit of Colton Swain at Morgan Stanley, 913 W. River St. Suite 230, Boise, ID 83702.
Services were under the direction of Salmon River Funeral Chapel of Salmon, Idaho.
