Obituaries
William Sieck Spokane
No services will be held for William W. Sieck, 76, at his request. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Sieck, who was born in Hinsdale, Ill., died Jan. 14. He was a resident of Spokane for 45 years.
He served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1954 and was a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Mr. Sieck worked as a pipe fitter for Kaiser Aluminum from 1954 to 1985. He also was a small farmer in the Spokane Valley and raised sheep and horses. His special interest was Allis Chalmers tractors.
He was a member of the Spokane Area Sheep Producers.
He attended Washington State University and Montana State University, studying agriculture.
Mr. Sieck was a Boy Scout leader and a commissioner for many years.
He is survived by a son, James Sieck of Spokane; three daughters, Karen Hubbard of Spokane, and Jody Clift and Ann Drew, both of New York; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane or to Spokane Area Sheep Producers, in care of Helen Lee, HC01, Box 118, St. Maries, ID 83861.
Gottlieb Schmitt Spokane
Memorial service for Gottlieb Schmitt, 82, will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Trinity Lutheran Church. Private burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park. Riplinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Eureka, S.D., Mr. Schmitt died Tuesday.
He was involved in the building of the Fort Peck Dam in Montana.
Mr. Schmitt served as a flight engineer in the Army Air Corps during World War II in the China, Burma and India Theatre.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Oxford College.
Mr. Schmitt served as a pastor in Eugene, Ore., from 1953 to 1955, at Freeborn Lutheran Church from 1955 to 1962 and at Reardan (Wash.) Lutheran Church from 1962 to 1964.
He moved to Spokane in 1964 and was a pastor for 13 years. He retired in 1977.
Mr. Schmitt served as a volunteer chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Spokane.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Pearl; two sons, David Schmitt of Spokane and Daniel Schmitt of Auburn, Wash.; a daughter, Diane Monsen of Deming, Wash.; four sisters, Anna Schmitt of Seattle, Martha Pelham of Edmonds, Wash., and Irene Kalla and Bertha Christenson, both of Kingsburg, Calif.; two brothers, Reinold Schmitt of Shoreline, Wash., and Jacob Schmitt of Portland; and five grandchildren.
Martin Wendt Spokane
Memorial service for Martin J. Wendt, 82, will be at 10 a.m. today at Riplinger Funeral Home. Private burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Wendt, who was born in Alexandria, Minn., died Thursday.
He was a 25-year Spokane resident.
Mr. Wendt lived in Wenatchee from 1945 to 1970 and worked as a custodian for the U.S. Postal Service.
His wife of 49 years, Alyce, died in 1995.
Survivors include two daughters, Judith Bagge and Jinalee Shredow, both of Spokane; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Nancy Aries Loon Lake, Wash.
No service will be held for Nancy Ann Aries, 48, at her request. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Spokane, Ms. Aries died Jan. 16.
She graduated from University High School in 1969 and received a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Washington University in 1982.
She worked as an entertainer and had played at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
Ms. Aries moved to Loon Lake 10 years ago.
Survivors include her parents, Donald and Helen Aries of Spokane.
Olive Winslow Spokane
No service will be held for Olive W. Winslow, 95. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born in Springdale, Wash., Mrs. Winslow died Jan. 16.
She married Tom Newton in 1922, and they moved to Seattle. Mrs. Winslow moved to Spokane after her divorce from Mr. Newton, and worked in bookkeeping and accounting.
Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Grover of Renton, Wash.; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jane Le Stage Spokane
Vigil service for Jane E. Le Stage, 77, will be today at 6:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the church and burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Le Stage, who was born in Fresno, Calif., died Thursday.
She married Edward Le Stage in 1953 and lived in Post Falls for many years. She operated her own typing business.
Mrs. Le Stage later moved to Boise and California before moving to Spokane a year ago.
She had been active in the Catholic church in earlier years.
Her husband died in 1988.
Survivors include four sons, Greg Schnitzer and James Le Stage, both of California, Edward Le Stage of Spokane and Paul Le Stage of Rathdrum, Idaho; four daughters, JoAnn Allard of Spokane, Mary Henley of Bakersfield, Calif., Margaret Kibler of Boise and Diane Wine of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; 35 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Martha Lyman Jacksonville, Ore.
Private graveside service was held for Martha Lyman, 95, at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mrs. Lyman, who was born in Hodgkiss, Colo., died Jan. 7.
She was a longtime Spokane resident until moving to Jacksonville. Mrs. Lyman was a homemaker and a member of Salem Lutheran Church.
Her husband preceded her in death.
Survivors include a sister, Helen Hein of Jacksonville; and several grandchildren.
Carl Engberg Spokane
Service for Carl G. Engberg, 88, was Wednesday at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North.
Mr. Engberg, who was born in Sweden, died Jan. 14.
He was a 60-year Spokane resident, who became a United States citizen in 1943.
Mr. Engberg was a lumberjack in North Idaho and Eastern Oregon from 1930 to 1943.
He served in the Army in Africa, the Middle East and Europe from 1943 to 1945, and worked in a paper mill from 1945 to 1972.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435 and the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie, who died in 1953, and his second wife, Hazel, who died in 1986.
Survivors include a stepson, Harold Derhak of Mesa, Ariz.; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Alloway of Spokane; two sisters, Ella Knorring and Anna Westling, both of Spokane; seven stepgrandchildren, 17 stepgreat-grandchildren and one stepgreat-great-grandchild.
Robert Dirks Spokane
Memorial service for Robert L. “Bob” Dirks, 40, was Monday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
A 52-year Spokane resident, Mr. Dirks died Jan. 14. He was born in Aberdeen, Idaho.
He served in the Navy as a pilot during World War II.
He married Gertrude Blank in 1948.
Mr. Dirks received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Idaho.
He worked as a draftsman for G.A. Pehrson in Spokane. He also worked as a chief estimator and project manager for several local construction companies. He had worked on the Century 21 Pavilion and Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and the Bank of America Building and the Public Safety Building in Spokane. He retired in 1987 from the Bouten Construction Co.
Mr. Dirks was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, James Dirks of Richland and Jeffrey Dirks of Anchorage, Alaska; a brother, William Dirks of Ft. Collins, Colo.; and three grandchildren.
Esther Smith Coeur d’Alene
Service for Esther M. Smith, 85, will be today at 3 p.m. at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. Burial will follow at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.
Mrs. Smith, who was born in Coeur d’Alene, died Wednesday.
She was a lifelong Coeur d’Alene resident and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1932. She served with the Army Auxiliary Corp during World War II.
She married Orren Smith in 1945, and they lived in Coeur d’Alene.
She was a skilled bridge player and won trophies at numerous tournaments and earned the Life Master Award from the American Contract Bridge League.
Mrs. Smith was a volunteer at the Museum of North Idaho in Coeur d’Alene. She traveled extensively after the death of her husband in 1971, and had made trips to Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
Survivors include two nieces, Barbara Wilcox of Georgia and Ernestine Wikum of Moscow, Idaho; two nephews, James Stark of Spokane and Charles Stark of Coeur d’Alene; and longtime friend, Della Kauffman of Coeur d’Alene.
Alice Sampson Spokane
No service will be held for Alice Mary Sampson, 86. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Sampson, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, died Jan. 12. She married Jack Sampson in 1932 and was a homemaker.
A longtime Spokane resident, Mrs. Sampson served as a Democratic precinct committee chairperson in Legislative District 6 for almost 15 years.
Her husband died in 1976.
Survivors include a daughter, Willa Miller of Spokane; a son, Marvin Sampson of Olympia; two brothers; two sisters; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald Lloyd Spokane
No service will be held for Donald F. Lloyd, 58, at his request. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Monroe, Wash., Mr. Lloyd died Jan. 15.
He moved to Spokane in 1955 and worked as a transport truck driver.
His wife of 20 years, Sharon, died in 1987.
Survivors include a son, Donald Lloyd of Spokane; three daughters, Patty Rison and Cindy Walker, both of Spokane, and Lori Nelson of Orlando, Fla.; three brothers, Robert, Mike and Richard Lloyd; two sisters, Iona Wreber and Judy Bergen; and five grandchildren.
Ralph Huddle Harrington, Wash.
Memorial service for Ralph H. Huddle, 87, was Tuesday at the Harrington Community Church. A lifetime Harrington-area resident, Mr. Huddle died Jan. 15.
He graduated from Harrington High School.
Mr. Huddle farmed the family homestead near Duck Lake for more than 60 years and was a member of the Nazarene Church.
His wife, Hannah, preceded him in death.
Survivors include a son, William Huddle of Redmond, Wash.; a daughter, Katherine Teel of Seattle; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Thomas Gilday Spokane
No services will be held for Thomas Gilday, 85, at his request. Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A 35-year Spokane resident, Mr. Gilday died Jan. 14. He was born in Glendive, Mont.
He owned and operated Tom’s Barber Shop for 30 years.
Mr. Gilday was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
His wife, Eldora, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his daughters, Karen Hunt of Spokane and Mary Booth of Oregon; sons, Tom Gilday of Bullhead City, Ariz., and John Gilday of Salem, Ore.; 12 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Magdalene Parry Spokane
Memorial service for Magdalene F. Weigelt Parry will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Sunset Chapel at Fairmount Memorial Park. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home-North is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Parry, 93, died Jan. 14.
Born in Kettle Falls, Wash., she graduated from Kettle Falls High School and from Cheney Normal School.
She moved to Spokane in 1944 and married Harold Parry in 1952.
Mrs. Parry taught in Molson, Wash., and in Spokane. She also taught at the University of Washington.
She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and the Spokane Retired Teachers Association.
Her husband died in 1964.
Survivors include a stepson, Hal Parry of Palm Springs, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Louise Snowdyn of Vancouver, Wash.; six stepgrandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Delbert Cornelison Thornton, Wash.
Service for Delbert A. Cornelison, 70, was held Thursday at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax, Wash. Burial followed at the Thornton Cemetery.
Mr. Cornelison, who was born in Walla Walla, died Jan. 12.
He was 23-year Thornton resident and was a farmer.
Mr. Cornelison graduated from Yakima High School, and served in the Army during World War II.
He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Thornton Grange. He also served on the Rosalia (Wash.) school board.
Survivors include a daughter, Melody Dearmore of Salem, Ore.; and three grandchildren.
Alfred Nelson Kettle Falls, Wash.
Funeral service for Alfred Frederick Nelson, 96, was held Friday at Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, Wash.
Born on Kelly Hill near Barstow, Wash., Mr. Nelson died Jan. 15. Mr. Nelson married Helen Perkins in 1926, and they lived and farmed on Kelly Hill until retiring in 1960.
They moved to Kettle Falls in 1960, and he worked in construction for seven years on the Boundary Dam. He also worked for the Forest Service and the Park Service.
Mr. Nelson was a member of Kettle River Grange and the Kettle Falls Historical Center. He was a charter member of the Colville Eagles Lodge.
His wife died in 1987.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald Nelson of Deer Park and Robert Nelson of Seattle; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Ruby (Thrasher) Thomas Princeton, Idaho
Service for Ruby Ilene (Thrasher) Thomas, 95, was held Friday at the Princeton (Idaho) Church of the Nazarene. Burial followed at the Mendenhall Cemetery near Potlatch, Idaho.
Mrs. Thomas, who was born in Atlanta, Neb., died Tuesday.
Her family moved to Princeton when she was 7 years old.
She married Fourth Freedom Thomas in 1922 and was a homemaker.
Mrs. Thomas later was a cook for the Forest Service at the Princeton Station.
In 1999 she moved to the Clark House in Moscow, Idaho, and recently to the Latah Health Services.
She was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, and was a charter member of Princeton Grange and the Princeton Community Club.
Her husband died in 1974.
Survivors include two daughters, Idabelle Packard of Harvard, Idaho, and Glenda Flanik of Oregon; two brothers, Leon Thrasher of North Bend, Wash., and Ilo Thrasher of Salem, Ore.; two sisters, Ada Scott of Spokane and Bess Shilling of Lewiston; 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Germaine Schulz Spokane
Service for Germaine Jeanette Schulz, 82, will be at 11 a.m. today at Christ Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Marion, Wis., Mrs. Schulz died Wednesday.
She was a 20-year Spokane resident and worked as a nurse.
Survivors include her husband, Carl; two daughters, Sandra Kehrer and Carol Ellis, both of Spokane; a sister, Elaine Rades of Wisconsin; and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Bible Society, P.O. Box 5625, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5625, or the Bellin Memorial Hospital, 744 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54305.
Charles Cunningham Spokane
No services will be held for Charles A. “Chuck” Cunningham, 63, at his request. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
A lifetime Spokane resident, Mr. Cunningham died Jan. 11.
He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1954.
Mr. Cunningham worked as a barber.
He was a member of the Circle of the Pan American Indian Association in Nocatee, Fla.
His wife preceded him in death Survivors include a son, Richard Cunningham; a daughter, Coleen; and two sisters, Shirley Griffith and Judy Knudsen, both of Spokane.
William Dahlin Blanchard, Idaho
Memorial service for William “Bill” Dahlin, 69, was held Friday at the Blanchard Community Church. Burial was at the Blanchard Cemetery. Born in Dalkena, Wash., Mr. Dahlin died Jan. 15.
He began working with Diamond International in 1949 and retired as a lumber grader in 1985.
He married Irene Kruckenberg in 1952.
He moved to Blanchard a few years ago from the Newport, Wash., area.
Survivors include a son, Robert Dahlin near Blanchard; two daughters, Christine Davis of Toledo, Ohio, and Julie Buttler of Gresham, Ore.; his mother, Jessie Dahlin of Dalkena; a sister, Lori Storms of Dalkena; and 16 grandchildren.
Victor Paullas Jr. Dalton Gardens, Idaho
Service for Victor F. Paullas Jr., 77, was held Saturday. Burial followed at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mr. Paullas, who was born in Bowmont, Idaho, died Monday.
He was a 40-year resident of the Coeur d’Alene area.
Mr. Paullas served in the Army during World War II.
He worked in the tire industry at Okay Tire and Goodyear Tire, both in Coeur d’Alene.
Mr. Paullas was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 in Coeur d’Alene.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bette; two sons, Terry Paullas of Dalton Gardens and Victor Paullas II of Kenai, Alaska; a sister, Frances Leliefeld of Springdale, Wash.; a brother, Ted Paullas of Nikiski, Alaska; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Lois Hardin Spokane
Private memorial service will be held for Lois I. Hardin, 74. The Cremation Society of Washington is in charge of arrangements.
A 59-year Spokane resident, Mrs. Hardin died Tuesday. She was born in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
She worked as a secretary for Columbia Lighting and later at Health Care Inc. in Greenacres.
Her husband, Hugh, died in 1989.
Survivors include two sons, Wesley Hardin of Spokane and LeRoy Hardin of Billings, Mont.; two daughters, Kathy Laughlin of Ryderwood, Wash., and Yvonne Johnson of Marysville, Calif.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.