Obituaries
Melvin Fritsche Tensed, Idaho
Graveside service for Melvin Russell Fritsche, 52, will be held today at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries.
Yates-Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Fritsche, who was born in Portland, died Saturday.
He grew up in Sandy, Ore., and graduated from high school there in 1965. He served with the Army and was stationed in Korea until 1969.
Mr. Fritsche returned to Oregon and married Nancy Darrin in 1969 and worked as a logging contractor.
The couple moved to Tensed in 1973, and he continued to work as a logging contractor until the time of his death.
He was divorced in 1989.
Mr. Fritsche was active in hunting, fishing and raising pheasants and was a member of the Potlatch American Legion Post, the Idaho Sheriff’s Youth Association, Tensed Community Church and the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include a son, Scott Fritsche of DeSmet, Idaho; a daughter, Becky Johnson of Portland; his mother, Helen Fritsche of Sandy; a brother, Gil Fritsche of DeSmet; three sisters, Caroline Koivisto, Barbara Skogan and Julie Fritsche, all of Sandy; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Tensed Community Church, the Tensed Ambulance Association, or the National Rifle Association.
Myrtle Adler Coeur d’Alene
Memorial service for Myrtle V. Adler, 92, will be Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Adler, who was born in Nunn, Colo., died Saturday.
She lived in Boulder, Colo., until moving to Spokane in 1948 and worked as a dietician and a math and science teacher at area schools.
Mrs. Adler moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1964.
She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was active in music, gardening, ceramics and stained glass art.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Kathy Thatcher of Tacoma; and two granddaughters, Stephanie and Michelle.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church, c/o Special Family in Need Fund, 111 Locust Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Blanche (Parson) Nelson Kellogg
Private service for Blanche Marie (Parson) Nelson, 82, will be held later. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Kellogg, Mrs. Nelson died Monday.
She grew up in Murray, Idaho, and graduated from Wallace High School. She then moved to San Diego and worked on Jeep engines during World War II.
Mrs. Nelson married Gerald “Bud” Nelson during the war.
Her husband died in 1990, and she returned to the Silver Valley in 1992.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruby Hartman of Fresno, Calif., and Charlene Birdsall of Post Falls; two sons, Charles Nelson of Oregon, and Gerald Nelson of California; a sister, Delia McCoy of Osburn, Idaho; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Glen Kubik Ritzville, Wash.
Memorial service for Glen D. Kubik, a lifetime Ritzville resident, will be at 11 a.m. today at Zion Congregational Church in Ritzville. Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Kubik, 81, died Monday.
He worked for the Rural Electrification Administration building electrical lines.
Mr. Kubik served in the Navy during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific as a gunner’s mate 3rd class.
In 1948 he married Shirley Johnson. Mr. Kubik farmed in the Ritzville area and retired in 1991.
He was a member of the Marcellus Grange, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the Ritzville Antique Car Club.
His wife died in 1987.
Survivors include a daughter, Christine Wea of Tacoma; five sons, David Kubik of Spokane, Gary and Jerry Kubik, both of Ritzville, Howie Kubik of Addy, Wash., and Rennie Kubik of Vancouver, Wash.; two brothers, George and Quentin Kubik, both of Ritzville; a sister, LaVerne Haight of Touchet, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Kenneth Fitch Prichard, Idaho
Memorial service for Kenneth Albert “Kenny” Fitch, 69, will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Fitch, who was born in Coeur d’Alene, died Monday.
He graduated in 1949 from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Coeur d’Alene and attended Gonzaga University for one year. He served in the Marines from 1951 to 1953 and then returned to Coeur d’Alene and worked as a carpenter and home builder.
He was a charter member of the North Idaho Building Contractors Association and helped build the Dancewana boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
In 1975 Mr. Fitch moved to Prichard, where he managed Gloria’s Steakhouse with his wife, Fran, until 1978. He retired to his home on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. He helped organize the Prichard Volunteer Fire Department and was active in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation.
Survivors include his wife; six children, Pam Tillman of Post Falls, Chris Haman and Jodie Fitch, both of Coeur d’Alene, Kerrie SueWing of Mount Vernon, Wash., Tim Robson of Stevensville, Mont., and Mary Stretch of Everett; a brother, David Fitch; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 280 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815; or Holy Family Catholic School Fund, 406 N. 10th St. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Roy `Dewey’ Brown Sandpoint
Service for Roy Dewayne “Dewey” Brown, 66, will be today at 11 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint.
Mr. Brown, who was born in Wanblee, S.D., died Saturday.
He moved to Kootenai, Idaho, near Sandpoint, in 1934 and graduated from Sandpoint High School.
He married Virginia Sammons; they were divorced after his military discharge.
Mr. Brown married Carol Ann Pierce in 1960, and they lived in the Sandpoint area. They later divorced.
He worked for Arrow Tie Mill and also for the Bonner County Road District as a truck driver and grader operator for many years.
He was active in outdoor recreation and fishing.
Survivors include a son, Jody Brown of Sagle, Idaho; a daughter, Tina; a sister, Marion of Snohomish, Wash.; four brothers, Lyle Brown of Lewiston, Bob Brown of Post Falls, Bill Brown of Thompson Falls, Mont., and Darrell Brown of Sandpoint; and four grandchildren.
Ben Harrison Jr. Coeur d’Alene
No service will be held for Ben Dickens Harrison Jr., 83, at his request. Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Harrison, who was born in La Belle, Mo., died Saturday.
He grew up in Missouri and Washington state. He served with the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Mr. Harrison married Margaret Brodbeck in 1941, and the couple settled in the Olympia/Lacey, Wash. area, where he worked as a postal carrier, retiring in 1974.
Mr. Harrison was preceded in death by his wife in 1993, and in 1995 he moved to Coeur d’Alene to be near family.
He was a member of the Olympia Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include a son, Bob Harrison of Hayden Lake, Idaho; a daughter, Sue Tornay of Olympia; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3018, Hayden Lake, ID 83835.
Jack Gregory Spokane
Funeral Mass for Jack E. Gregory, 77, will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gregory, who was born in St. Maries, died Monday.
He was a 48-year Spokane resident.
Mr. Gregory served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan.
He graduated from Washington State University.
Mr. Gregory married Katherine Watson, and they moved to Spokane in 1952.
He owned and operated J.E. Gregory Co., which manufactured physical education equipment.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Scott and Bob Gregory; three daughters, Jane Gregory, Katherine Reynolds and Caroline Snyder; and nine grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gonzaga Prep.
Robert Cary Spokane
Graveside service for Robert C. Cary, 74, is planned for 11 a.m. today at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River, Idaho. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North is in charge of arrangements.
A 26-year Spokane resident, Mr. Cary died Sunday.
He was born in Richey, Mont., and his family moved to Priest River in 1938.
Mr. Cary served in the Army during World War II and earned a Purple Heart in the European Theater.
He worked as a sawyer, mill worker, farmer, cook, mechanic and truck driver. He later became an ordained minister for the Church of God. For 33 years he served churches in Priest River; Sandpoint; Tacoma; Elma and Centralia, Wash.; Spokane; Nampa, Idaho; Hermiston, Ore.; and Mead.
Mr. Cary was a member of the Fellowship Church of God and the Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Wanita; two sons, Roy Cary of Longview, Wash., and Richard Cary of Kelso, Wash.; two daughters, Kathleen Kole and Virginia Pappalardo, both of Spokane; three brothers, Richard Cary of Priest River, Idaho, James Cary of Shepherd, Mont., and George Cary of Fresno, Calif.; 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 1359, Spokane, WA 99201.
Eleanor Knauss Spokane
Funeral Mass for Eleanor Rina Knauss, 96, will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Committal service is planned for 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Cemetery. Hennessey Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A 55-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Knauss died Saturday. She was born in Sutton, N.D.
She was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include a son, Donald Knauss of Moscow, Idaho; a daughter, Caroline Michielli of Greenacres; a sister, Olga Kinneberg of Salem, Ore.; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Village.
Bernice Prolo Post Falls
Graveside service for Bernice Prolo, 81, will be held today at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Mullan, Idaho. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Prolo, who was born in Lead, S.D., died Saturday.
She moved to Mullan as a child and attended schools there. She married Pete Prolo in 1934.
Mrs. Prolo worked as a nurse’s aide at Providence Hospital in Wallace and was also a homemaker and mother.
Her husband died in 1981.
Survivors include two daughters, Marian Davis of Osburn, Idaho, and Cleo Huellemann of Post Falls; a sister, Margaret Daunhauer of Spokane; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
David Kelly Hayden Lake, Idaho
Memorial service for David J. “Dave” Kelly, 80, will be today at 11 a.m. at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel.
Mr. Kelly, who was born in Seattle, died Sunday.
He attended the University of Washington and in 1945 married Elena Ealy.
Mr. Kelly worked for newspapers in the Seattle area until moving to San Francisco in 1960. He became the circulation director for the San Francisco Examiner and the San Jose Mercury News.
He retired in 1980 and moved to Hayden Lake. He was a member of the Avondale Golf Club.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robert Kelly of Bremerton and John Kelly of Post Falls; a daughter, Colleen Clancey of Hayden Lake; two sisters, Ellen Clausen and Sister Ellen Elizabeth, both of Seattle; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Willis Brillon Post Falls
Graveside service for Willis Burchard Brillon, 80, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River, Idaho. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Brillon died Sunday from cancer.
He was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.
In 1940 he married Helen Johnson and they lived in Lewiston and Priest River, Idaho.
Mr. Brillon worked as an independent grain truck driver in the agriculture industry in Lewiston, before retirin in 1988 and moving to Post Falls.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Eulonda Rewis of Front Royal, Va.; a son, Dennis Brillon of Hayden, Idaho; a brother, Lwellyn Brillon of Eugene, Ore.; a sister, Louise Ramos of Colbert; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Clara Skidmore Coeur d’Alene
No service will be held for Clara M. Skidmore, 86, at her request. English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Skidmore, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, died Saturday.
She lived in Illinois before moving to Hayden Lake, Idaho, in 1937.
She married Bernard Skidmore in 1948 and they lived in the Hayden Lake area. She worked as a cook for area ranches and local logging camps. She moved to Sandpoint in the mid-1980s.
Her husband died in 1986 and she moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1987.
Survivors include three brothers, Alfred “Bud” Lorenzen of Hazelton, British Columbia, Richard Lorenzen of Albany, Ore., and Tom Lorenzen of Spokane; a sister, Ida Sharples of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; and a stepson, Leon Skidmore of Spokane.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 280 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Richard Ward Kellogg
Inurnment for Richard Lelon Ward, 33, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hunt Cemetery in Kingston, Idaho. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ward, a lifelong Silver Valley resident, died Monday.
He attended schools in Kellogg and Pinehurst and worked as a laborer. He also set up machinery in the injectionmolded plastics industry.
He was active in fishing, sports, drawing and also wrote poetry.
Survivors include three children, Carla and Chad Ward of Pinehurst, and Collin Wiltse of Post Falls; his father, Joe Ward of Kellogg; his mother and stepfather, Marsha and Lynn Monahan of Kellogg; a sister, Jennifer Hendrix, and two brothers, Tracy and Jason Ward, all of Kellogg; his grandfather, Lelon Ward of Loon Lake, Wash.; and his girlfriend, Michele Maxson.
Geraldine Hettinger Coeur d’Alene
Memorial service for Geraldine K. Hettinger, 49, was held Monday at Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane.
A 20-year former Spokane resident, Miss Hettinger died July 30.
She was born in Newport, Wash., and graduated from Cusick (Wash.) High School.
Miss Hettinger worked as a housekeeper for Sacred Heart Medical Center.
She recently moved to Coeur d’Alene.
Survivors include two daughters, Maryrose Thieschafer and Staceyann Lyle, both of Spokane; six brothers, Steve and Ashely Hettinger, both of Spokane, Albert Hettinger of Newport, Eldon Hettinger of Grangeville, Idaho, Jack Hettinger of California and Donny Hettinger of Wisconsin; three sisters, Pauline O’Brien of Spokane, Joyce DeFrehn of Coeur d’Alene and Helen Rouse of California; a half brother, Lawrence Hettinger of Spokane; and three grandchildren.