Obituaries

Pearl Brower Spokane

Funeral Mass for Pearl Rachel Brower, 94, was Tuesday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Trentwood.

Mrs. Brower, who was born in Decorah, Iowa, died Friday.

She moved to Miles, Wash., in 1922 after marrying George Brower.

Mrs. Brower later moved to the Spokane Valley, where she had been a resident for the past 76 years.

She was member of the St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Her husband died in 1967.

Survivors include a son, Roger Brower of Spokane; four daughters, Helen Craft of Spokane, Dorothy Lowry of Joplin, Mo., Shirley Olthouse of Bellevue, Wash., and Marietta Stallcop of Wenatchee; 21 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Nancy Housh Spokane

Funeral for Nancy Ann Housh, 59, was held Tuesday at Riplinger Funeral Home.

A longtime Spokane resident, Mrs. Housch died last Thursday. She was born in Indianapolis.

She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana University and a master’s degree from the University of Washington in 1977.

From 1978 to 1983, Mrs. Housh taught at the Intercollegiate School of Nursing in Spokane.

She had been working for Dakota Direct for the past six years.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Housh of Hartsville, S.C., and Timothy Housh of Olympia; her father, William Kendall of Indianapolis; and a sister, Mary Jo Pride of Indianapolis.

Memorial contributions may be made to SpokAnimal Care.

Edwin `Bud’ Newton Spkane

Private service for Edwin Perkins “Bud” Newton, 89, was Sunday at the Waterford on the South Hill.

An 82-year Spokane resident, Mr. Newton died Jan. 14.

Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1927 and later attended Kinman Business College.

Mr. Newton served with the Army during World War II and later worked as a bookkeeper for Bill Brown Chrystler Plymouth. He retired in the mid-1970s.

He was a member of Elks Lodge 228 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Ruth; two daughters, Beth Skillingstad of Spokane and Jane Severin of Puyallup, Wash.; a sister, Jane Newton of Spokane; and three grandchildren.

Ruth Roush Colfax, Wash.

Funeral for Ruth M. Roush, a former Pullman resident, was Tuesday at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman. Burial was at the Pullman Cemetery.

Mrs. Roush, who was born in Watertown, S.D., died Friday. She was 93.

She grew up on the family farm southwest of Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School.

Mrs. Roush attended nursing school in South Dakota before moving to Kansas, where she worked as a nurse.

In 1933 she married Merril Roush and they moved to Missouri. They moved to San Diego and Coeur d’Alene before settling in Pullman in the 1940s. She worked at Washington State University and Higgins Drug Store.

She and her husband later opened Roush Jewelry in Pullman. They retired in the early 1980s.

Her husband died in 1986, and she moved to Colfax in 1997.

Mrs. Roush was member of the Devine Savior Lutheran Church in Pullman, and was active with the American Legion Baseball Program and several Pullman bowling leagues.

Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.

James Patterson Oregon City, Ore.

Memorial service for James David Patterson, 50, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Hillside Chapel in Oregon City, Ore. Private inurnment will be at the Willamette National Cemetery.

Mr. Patterson, who was born in Ritzville, Wash., died Monday.

He graduated from Shadle Park High School and served with the Marine Corps.

Mr. Patterson was the owner and operator of Patterson Trucking. He moved to Oregon City in 1982.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca; a daughter, Rhonda Nebel of Coeur d’Alene; a son, Phillip Patterson of Canby, Ore.; two brothers, Bob Patterson of Spokane and Dennis Patterson of Minnetonka, Minn.; a sister, Sharon Patterson of Spokane; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunshine Division of the Portland Police Department.

William Kopping Spokane

Graveside service for William B. Kopping, 89, was Tuesday at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A 10-year Spokane resident, Mr. Kopping died Jan. 8. He was born in Spokane.

He served with the Coast Guard during World War II and with the Navy during the Korean War.

Mr. Kopping later worked as a pile driver.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Mary Mease of Spokane; and two nephews, John Andresen and Nick Kopling, both of California.

Maria Garrelts Pullman

Funeral for Maria J. Garrelts, 55, was Tuesday at the Calvary Christian Center in Pullman. Burial was at the Pullman Cemetery.

Mrs. Garrelts, who was born in Moscow, Idaho, died Thursday.

She grew up and attended school in Pullman and in 1960 married Bud Garrelts.

Mrs. Garrelts worked at Pullman Memorial Hospital and later worked with her husband at Wesmar Construction. She also was a homemaker.

She was a member of the Meadow Brook Living Water Church, where she served as a worship leader.

Survivors include her husband; a son, David Garrelts, and a daughter, Rhonda Wride, both of Pullman; her mother, Gladys O’Rourke of Lewiston; three brothers, Carl Cerutti of Spokane, Gary Cerutti of Albany, Calif., and Mike Cerutti of Clarkston, Wash.; a sister, Eileen Marcellus of Lewiston; and a grandson and two stepgrandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadow Brook Living Water Church, 1915 Burrell Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501.

John Rogers Sandpoint

Memorial service for John L. “Johnnie” Rogers, 70, will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint. Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Rogers, who was born in Spokane, died Tuesday.

He grew up and attended school in Sandpoint and then worked for the Pack River Lumber Co. as a truck driver. He also worked as a gypo logger in the Sandpoint area.

Mr. Rogers married Wilma “Red” Norton in 1958.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years; a son, John Rogers of Sandpoint; two stepdaughters, Sharron Read of California and Stana Schwartz of Nevada; two brothers, Albert Rogers of Spokane and Les Rogers of Sandpoint; four sisters, Josephine Rogers and Connie Greenleaf, both of Sandpoint, Constance Pruett of Spokane and Lillian Patrick of California; numerous stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Rachel Gibbons St. John, Wash.

Graveside inurnment for Rachel A. Gibbons, 88, will be at 1 p.m Friday at the Thornton (Wash.) Cemetery. Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax, Wash., is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gibbons, who was born in Ritzville, Wash., died Monday.

She married Ralph Gibbons in 1926, and was a member of the Rebekah Lodge.

Her husband died in 1982.

Survivors include four daughters, Rose Markham of Puyallup, Wash., Maxine Ring of Warden, Wash., Linda Lynch of St. John and Karen Harwood of Moses Lake; a son, Everett Gibbons of Warden, Wash.; and 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Robert Felber Fairfield

No service will be held for Robert Felber, 84, at his request. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Rockford. Schanzenbach Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Felber, who was born in Stevensville, Mont., died Monday.

He married Freeda Domke in 1939 and in 1944 they moved to Fairfield, where he was a farmer for 55 years.

Mr. Felber was involved with many community and agricultural organizations.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Felber of Fairfield; four sisters, Barbara Pelk and Joyce Lamon, both of Spokane, Helen Hanah of Sandpoint and Lorraine Barnes of Santa Barbara, Calif.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fire District 2 Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 193, Fairfield, WA 99012.

Sister Ildephonse `Emma’ Nuxoll Cottonwood, Idaho

Vigil service for Sister Ildephonse “Emma” Nuxoll, 92, will be today at 7 p.m. at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood. Burial Mass will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the monastery. Sister Ildephonse, who was born in Greencreek, Idaho, died Monday.

She grew up and attended school in Greencreek and then made her vows at St. Gertrude’s Monastery in 1923.

Sister Ildephonse taught at various schools in Idaho and Washington for 51 years, including Cottonwood, Nezperce, Keuterville, Ferdinand, Genesee, St. Maries and Nampa, Idaho, and Colton, Wash.

She had served as Dean of the College of St. Gertrude’s, a junior college operated by the Monastery of St. Gertrude for several years, before retiring in 1974.

Sister Ildephonse helped establish the college and monastery libraries as well as the Community Archives, where she continued to work until 1986.

Survivors include a brother, Martin Nuxoll, and a sister, Bertha Schaff, both of Cottonwood.

Memorials may be made to the Monastery of St. Gertrude, HC3 Box. 121, Cottonwood, ID 83522-9408.

Ida Bass Spokane

Funeral for Ida Mae Bass, 85, will be at 10 a.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home. Private burial will follow at Spokane Memorial Gardens.

A 50-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Bass died Sunday.

She was born in Cass County, Texas, and attended school in Hughes Springs, Texas.

In 1935 she married Ebb Bass, and they worked together as hotel and motel managers all over the county. They moved to Spokane in 1949.

Her husband died in 1980.

Survivors include a son, Wayne Bass; two sisters, Margaret Silipini and Virginia Kessler, both of Grand Prairie, Texas; two brothers, Bob Martin of Grand Prairie and Jim Martin of Detroit; two grandsons and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Spokane, 10 N. Post, Room 638, Spokane, WA 99201-0705.

Theodore Reed Spokane

Visitation for Theodore “Ted” Reed, 80, will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hazen and Jaeger Fuenral Home. Funeral is planned for 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park.

Mr. Reed, who was born in Valley, Wash., died Sunday.

He served with the Navy during World War II, and later worked as a logger and sawyer in the lumber industry.

Mr. Reed was a member of Moose Lodge 161, American Legion Post 9, NACCA Chapter 41 and the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his wife, Isobel; a son, Jim Reed of Shelby, Ohio; a daughter, Janice Nerurkar; a brother, Floyd Reed of Spokane; three sisters, Mary of New Mexico, Florence of Salem, Ore., and Flora of Yakima; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Spokane.

Gerald Claussen Spokane

Rosary for Gerald F. “Jerry” Claussen, 71, will be at 7 p.m. today at Riplinger Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is planned for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Charles Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Claussen died Saturday.

He attended North Central High School before graduating from Rogers High School in 1946.

Mr. Claussen served with the Army during World War II, and graduated from business college in 1950.

He worked in the public accounting field for 15 years before joining Roundup Wholesale Grocers. He retired after 24 years with West Coast Grocery, which is now Super Value Grocery, in 1989.

He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Paula; three sons, Michael Claussen of Newberg, Ore., and Paul and Mark Claussen, both of Spokane; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Fred Burkett Visalia, Calif.

Funeral for Fred Henry Burkett, formerly of Elk, will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Peaceful Valley Church in Elk. Burial will be at Elk Cemetery No. 1. Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Burkett, who was born in Elk, died Monday. He was 89.

He married Eva Teats in 1937 and worked in the lumber industry for many years.

Mr. Burkett served as grand marshal of the Elk Days parade. He was a member and deacon of the Elk Community Church, which he helped remodel and build a bell tower. He was also a 13-year member of Peaceful Valley Church in Elk.

He moved to Visalia in 1997.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Leah Fallis of Visalia, Calif.; a brother, Luis Burkett of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and two grandchildren.

Maj. Matthew Laiho Spokane

Memorial service for Maj. Matthew F. Laiho, 40, will be at 4 p.m. Friday at St. Luke Lutheran Church. A memorial service for Maj. Laiho and the three other airmen killed in the KC-135 tanker crash over Germany Jan. 13 will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Spokane Opera House. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Laiho was born in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He attended the University of Oregon and was commissioned into the Air Force in 1982. He served in active duty until 1989, when he joined the Washington Air National Guard.

Maj. Laiho formerly served with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, and most recently served with the 141st Air Refueling Wing with the Air National Guard at Fairchild.

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Valerie; two sons, Erick and Evan, both at home; his parents, Elmer and Shirley Laiho of Boulder, Colo.; and a sister, Barbara Gordan of Dallas, Ore.

Pamela Froman-Rounds Spokane

Funeral for Pamela F. Froman-Rounds, 48, will be at 1 p.m. today at Riplinger Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park.

A lifetime Spokane resident, Mrs. Froman-Rounds died Monday.

She graduated from Rogers High School in 1969, and was a homemaker.

Survivors include two daughters, Nicki Goley of Mead and Christi Froman of Tucson, Ariz.; her father, Willis Northington of Mead; two brothers, Michael Northington of Mead and Billey Northington of Deer Park; a sister, Linda Sheldon of Spokane; and seven grandchildren.

Millie Stermer Spokane

Funeral for Millie O. Stermer, 100, will be at 10 a.m. today at Riplinger Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Ellensburg.

A 50-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Stermer died Saturday.

Born in Alcester, S.D., Mrs. Stermer worked as a seamstress in the Lee Seaman’s Men’s Clothing Store in Yakima, and later at Tul and Gibbs in Spokane for many years.

Her husband preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Myrtle Brown of Spokane; two sons, Raymond Stermer of Ellensburg and Leonard Stermer of Glendale, Calif.; two sisters, Fern Mathisen of Hazen, N.D., and Ethel Neische of St. Paul, Minn.; and 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Dora Van Belle Spokane

Funeral for Dora Van Belle, 77, was Tuesday at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home. Burial was at Pines Cemetery.

Mrs. Van Belle, who was born in Farmington, Wash., died Friday.

She worked as the kitchen manager at the Golden Hour Restaurant in Spokane for many years before retiring in the early 1980s.

Survivors include her husband, Louis; two sons, Jerry and Dennis Van Belle, and two daughters Joani Kannegaard and Judy Lewis, all of Spokane; a sister, Dorothy Bunting of Spokane; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Glendon Robbins Greenacres

No service will be held for Glendon P. Robbins. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Robbins, who was born in Coleraine, Minn., died Wednesday. He was 81.

He served in the Army and later worked as a machinist at Kaiser Aluminum in Trentwood for 29 years.

Mr. Robbins was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife, Bette; two daughters, Sharon Scheffer of Spokane and Penny Geravis of Los Angeles; two sons, Michael Driver of Spokane and Gary Robbins of Los Angeles; two brothers, Wayne Robbins of Sequim, Wash., and Gerald Robbins of Boston; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.