Obituaries
Dr. Mary Luther
Hayden Lake, Idaho
Memorial service for Mary Queeney Luther, M.D., 87, was Saturday at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Burial was at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.
Dr. Luther, who was born in Boston, Mass., died unexpectedly Dec. 30 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
She graduated from Temple Medical School in Philadelphia, Pa., and met her future husband, Dr. Dean Luther.
She practiced medicine for 40 years and had worked at Gorgas Public Health Hospital in Panama Canal Zone and Fitzimmons Hospital in Denver.
She later moved to Spokane and taught at Sacred Heart Nursing School and Intercollegiate Nursing School in Spokane while practicing medicine part time.
In the last 10 years of her practice Dr. Luther was the health officer and director of the Spokane County Health Department.
The Luthers maintained homes in both Hayden Lake and Rancho Mirage.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Dean Luther; a daughter, Joan Queeney Luther; and a sister, Ellen Queeney Suria of Philadelphia.
Memorials may be made to the Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation, 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
Alyce (Elli) Walson
Sandpoint
Service for Alyce Lillian (Elli) Walson, 81, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint, with burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint.
Mrs. Walson, who was born in St. Paul, Minn., died Sunday.
She lived in North Dakota with her family before they moved to Sandpoint in 1928 and settled on a farm in the Colburn area.
After the sudden death of her mother in 1937 she helped raise her eight brothers and sisters while continuing her education and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1943.
Mrs. Walson moved to Seattle and worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” for Boeing during World War II and then moved to San Francisco and worked as a waitress.
She returned to Sandpoint and married L.C. “Bus” Walson in Libby, Mont., in 1946. The couple lived in Dover, Idaho, for 58 years.
The couple had lived in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alaska before their retirement. They later traveled from border to border across both the United States and Canada and visited every state.
She was a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, and was active with Beta Sigma Phi, American Legion and the Kootenai Medical Center Auxiliary and was member of the Ladies of the Nile.
She enjoyed yardwork, traveling, flowers, gardening and cooking.
Survivors include her husband, L.C. “Bus”; two children, Susan Kent of Spokane and Gary Walson of Winchester, Calif.; two sisters, Helen Corne and Irene Hartman, both of Spokane; two brothers, Harold Elli of Everett and Jim Elli of Roseburg, Ore.; and two grandchildren .
Memorials may be made to the Shrine of Elks Lodge.
Edith Younkin
Spokane
Memorial service for Edith May Crowder Younkin, 85, will be today at 11 a.m. at Fairmount Memorial Mausoleum. Thornhill Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Younkin, who died Tuesday, was born in Spokane.
She married Orin Younkin in 1939, and the couple lived most of their lives in the Spokane area.
Mrs. Younkin was a homemaker.
Her husband died in 1984.
Survivors include two daughters, Letha Jo Younkin Clark of Monroe, Ore., and Linda Younkin Woodward of Okanogan; two sisters, Emma Dassow and Frances Jahns; four granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Arbutus (Mercer) Hulquist
Sandpoint
Memorial service for Arbutus Mae (Mercer) “Grandma Boo” Hulquist, 92, will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Jewel Lake barn on Jewel Lake Road in Sagle, Idaho.
Mrs. Hulquist, who was born in Arpin, Wis., died Jan. 4.
She moved to Laclede, Idaho, with her family in 1914 and attended school there. During her school years she met her future husband, Carl Hulquist, and they were married in 1933. He preceded her in death.
They lived in the Jewel Lake area, then in Superior, Plains and Missoula, Mont., before returning to Jewel Lake in 1973.
Mrs. Hulquist was involved for many years in 4-H as a member and leader and won a trip to Chicago through the program.
She was a 31-year member of the Grange and held various offices and played piano at county and state Grange functions.
Mrs. Hulquist was a charter member of the Triangle United Ladies Club.
She enjoyed playing piano, gardening, painting and crafts.
Survivors include seven children, Carl Hulquist of Moscow, Idaho, RuthAlys Wilkinson of St. Ignatius, Mont., Guy Hulquist and Elaine Obenauer, both of Jewel Lake, Richard Hulquist of Amarillo, Texas, Lou Ellen Eveland of Rocker, Mont., and Jan Hulquist of Missoula; 32 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Bonner County Homeless Task Force, 206 N. Fourth St., No. 160, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Reynold Vanderwilt
Sandpoint
Visitation for Reynold Earl Vanderwilt, 55, will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Service will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with burial at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Vanderwilt, who was born in Salem, Ore., died Sunday.
He attended school in Redmond, Ore., and moved with his family to Coeur d’Alene at the age of 12.
He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1967 and entered the Army that same year.
Mr. Vanderwilt was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., and San Francisco and also spent one year in Panama, where he received jungle training.
He was then sent to Vietnam and spent 13 months at Bearcat near the Cambodian border. He was a helicopter door gunner and crew chief and logged 1,750 hours of flight time.
He then returned to Coeur d’Alene in 1970 and worked in area lumber mills until moving to Sandpoint in the early 1980s.
He worked at Ceda Pine Veneer Co., north of Sandpoint until his retirement in July.
Mr. Vanderwilt enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and outdoor activities.
Survivors include two children, Gary Vanderwilt and Brenda Wigen, both of Spirit Lake, Idaho; his mother, Helen Vanderwilt of Coeur d’Alene; two brothers, Monte and Kirtis Vanderwilt; three sisters, Marje Peterson, Vivian Worth and Marilyn McFarland; and three grandchildren.
Tom Wirick
Greenacres
Memorial service for Tom G. Wirick, 41, will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home.
Mr. Wirick, who was born in Denver, died Saturday.
He graduated from Clarkston High School in 1982 and had been in the Spokane area since 1985.
Mr. Wirick worked at Spokane Civic Theatre and was had been employed at Prime Equipment as a machinist since 1987.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and especially loved to hunt ducks in Wilbur, Wash. He also enjoyed canning and smoking fish and preparing wild game.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Robin; and a brother, John Wirick of Spokane.
Joanne ‘Jodey’ Powell
Spokane
Memorial service for Joanne “Jodey” Lee Powell, 73, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2218, 3702 E. Sprague Ave. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Powell, who died Saturday, was born in Spokane.
She attended Washington Grade School and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, where she was on the tennis team. She also attended the University of Montana for a few years.
She married Melvin Trutton, and the couple had four daughters. They later divorced, and in 1968 she married Richard Powell.
Her first job was at the Milk Bottle on Cedar Street, and years later she worked for an attorney, a dentist, at Music City and at several other businesses.
Mrs. Powell was a member of Job’s Daughters, First Presbyterian Church and Disabled American Veterans.
She was a volunteer on projects for Sunshine East Lions Club and the Spokane Veterans Medical Center. She was a van driver who transported veterans from their home to the hospital, contributing 3,354 hours.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Stacy Trutton Boehm of Sacramento, Calif., and Jackie Gould of Missoula; and a stepson, Richard Powell.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Patient Care or the Chaplain’s Fund at Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Jacob Thiel
Spokane
Memorial service for Jacob John Thiel, 96, was Wednesday at the Veterans Affairs Nursing Home.
Mr. Thiel, a longtime resident of Spokane, died Dec. 22. He was born in Griggs County, N.D.
He service in the Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater and worked as a civilian at Fairchild Air Force Base. He also worked at Gonzaga University in maintenance.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Mae.
Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Ayers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in care of Voluntary Service, 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, WA 99205-6197.
Patricia (Powers) Schnabl
Dalton Gardens, Idaho
Visitation for Patricia ‘Pat’ Ann (Powers) Schnabl, 68, will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.
Mrs. Schnabl, who was born in Hamilton, Mont., died Monday from natural causes.
She grew up in Harrison, Idaho, before briefly living in Livingston, Mont., and married John “Roy” Schnabl in 1953.
The couple lived most of their lives in Dalton Gardens, and she retired from GTE in 1992. After her retirement, they moved to Seely Lake, Mont., to be near family and returned to Dalton Gardens in 2000.
Survivors include four children, Wade Schnabl of Anchorage, Alaska, Jolene Hise of Coeur d’Alene, David Schnabl of Ninilchik, Alaska, and Teresa Graichen of Oceanside, Calif.; two sisters, Nilah Tracy of Livingston, Mont., and Liz Walter of Del Mar, Calif.; two brothers, Jim Powers of North Pole, Alaska, and Jack Powers of Whitefish, Mont.; 10 grandchildren; and her companion, Buster Layton.
Glen Werhan Jr.
Medical Lake
Memorial service for Glen Werhan Jr., 41, will be today at 11 a.m. at Lake City Assembly of God. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Werhan, who was born at Fairchild Airforce Base, died Saturday.
He graduated from Medical Lake High School in 1981 and served in the Army as a medic and toured much of Europe.
He also did auto refurbishing and detailing and provided care for an adult with a disability.
Survivors include his mother, Geraldine Miller; and a sister, Debby Ralphs.
Dorothy Bowman
Spokane
Memorial service for Dorothy (Zorn) Bowman, 90, will be Sunday at Whitworth Presbyterian Church. Ball and Dodd Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Bowman died Sunday.
Born in Detroit, she was raised in Michigan and lived there until her retirement in 1981, when she moved to Spokane to be near her daughter and grandchildren.
She attended Eastern Michigan University, where she met and married Lloyd Bowman in 1935.
Mrs. Bowman was <<primarily>> a homemaker and seamstress but did work as an admitting clerk at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., before retiring in 1979.
She collected and restored antiques and did extensive sewing for herself and others. She spent winters in Pharr, Texas, where she was active in square and round dancing, holding offices in clubs and attending many dance festivals.
Her husband died in 1998.
Survivors include three children, Lee Bowman of Phoenix, Becky Kramarz of Spokane and Mary Beth Kowalski of Fort Collins, Colo.; six grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Whitworth Presbyterian Church.
Mary McGinley
Spokane
Vigil for Mary L. McGinley, 78, will be today at 5 p.m. at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
Mrs. McGinley, who died Monday, was born in Spokane.
She worked for Western Electric, then for Pacific Northwest Bell for 26 years before retiring in 1987.
She enjoyed being a member of the Telephone Pioneers as well as volunteering for the Holy Family Hospital Auxiliary.
Her husband Howard McGinley died Dec. 4.
Survivors include three children, Jeanie Preston of Spokane Valley, Jerry McGinley of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Steven McGinley of Nine Mile Falls; a brother, Frank Mauro of Spokane; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Morning Star Boys Ranch.
Allan ‘Skeeter’ Huston
Spokane
Funeral for Allan E. “Skeeter” Huston, 56, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Riplinger Funeral Home.
Mr. Huston died Sunday.
Born in Spokane, he lived most of his life in the area. After graduating from Shadle Park High School in 1966, he joined the Army and served a year in Vietnam.
In 1970 he married Glenna Glinski and began a long career in insurance. In 1999 he bought the Moezy Inn Tavern, where he enjoyed playing pool and pinball.
He also coached Little League Baseball.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Ken, Jason and Jeremy Huston; his mother, Ruth Huston; a sister, Betty Sanders; and four brothers, Joe, Dennis, Ron and Don Huston.
Patricia Pupo
Spokane
Funeral for Patricia Larson Pupo, 77, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home.
Mrs. Pupo, who died Tuesday, was born in Spokane.
She married Orland Pupo in 1946 and together they built two houses. The first house was on Lee Street, and their last home at Twin Lakes, Idaho.
Mrs. Pupo was a licensed practical nurse and worked at the old St. Luke’s Hospital.
She was a charter member of the Twin Lakes Water District board. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, her cats and dog, and knitting sweaters.
She moved to The Academy in Spokane in 2003.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Survivors include a sister, Virginia Fulger; and a brother, Russ.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mater Dei Institute or to the Spokane Humane Society.
Elvira Castino
Spokane
Visitation for Elvira Fiammetta Castino, 77, will be today from noon to 5 p.m. at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, with a vigil at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Mrs. Castino, who died Tuesday, was born in Cosenza, Italy.
In 1947 she came to Canada with her brother, Robert. In 1950 she moved to Spokane and married Ernest Castino.
Mrs. Castino worked as a kitchen supervisor at Gonzaga University for Saga Foods and the successor corporation, Marriott, for 36 years. She loved to cook and enjoyed working with all the students.
Survivors include her husband; three children, Louis Castino of Brier, Wash., Al Castino of San Mateo, Calif., and Mary Neeley of Goodyear, Ariz.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
Wardell Young Jr.
Spokane
Viewing for Wardell “Sonny” Young Jr., 58, will be today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Riplinger Funeral Home. Memorial service will be today at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. Young, who died Sunday, was born in Memphis, Tenn.
He graduated from high school in Memphis and attended Memphis State College before joining the Army, in which he served two tours in the Vietnam War.
Shortly after his military service he moved to Spokane and became a conductor-brakeman for Burlington Northern Railroad for 15 years. He was a member of the Transportation Union.
One of his favorite pastimes was to sing.
Survivors include his wife, Melinda; a brother, Grover Young of Memphis; three sons, Solon Young of Tacoma, Wardell Young III of Yakima and Desmond Kipp; a daughter, Karma Kipp of Spokane; and numerous grandchildren.
Eloise ‘Midge’ Bartleson
Spokane
Memorial service for Eloise “Midge” Bartleson, 107, will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, with inurnment to follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
Mrs. Bartleson, who died Monday, was born in Whelan, Wash.
She graduated in 1913 from Lewiston Normal School and in 1917 married Ray Bartleson. They lived in various places, including Oakesdale and Edwall, Wash., Cheney and Spokane.
Mrs. Bartleson was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, dancing, playing cards, traveling, horseback riding and quilting.
She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and the Grange.
Her husband died in 1976.
Survivors include a son Jack Bartleson of Chattaroy; a daughter, Eloise Miller of Spokane; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Xavier Parish or the Lilac Blind Center.
Jeffrey Landes
Richland, Wash.
No service will be held for Jeffrey M. Landes.
Mr. Landes, a former 40-year resident of Spokane, died Dec. 28 in Richland, his home for two years.
Born in Coeur d’Alene, he grew up in Spokane and graduated from West Valley High School. He received a business degree from Western Washington University and a master’s degree from the University of Washington.
He worked in business, and traveled and lived in various cities throughout the country. He worked in the finance industry, most recently with U.S. Bank in Richland.
Mr. Landes was an avid reader.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Christine; a son, Max Landes, and a daughter, Amber Landes, both of Florida; his father, Max Landes of Coeur d’Alene; and two sisters, Mardi and Meg Landes, both of Spokane.
Shawna (Chrysler) Baker
Valley, Wash.
Memorial service for Shawna Marie (Chrysler) Baker, 36, will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home.
Mrs. Baker died Saturday.
Born in Spokane, she was raised in Stevens County, and in 1986 graduated from Jenkins High School in Chewelah, Wash.
She received a bachelor’s in education from Whitworth College in 1991 and taught in the Chewelah School District, where she was an advocate for home schooling.
Survivors include her husband, Larry; three daughters, Nichole Chrysler of Spokane, and Megan and Jeana Baker, both of Valley; a son, Larry Baker of Valley; her parents, Douglas and Daphne Chrysler of Spangle; two brothers, Douglas Chrysler Jr. of Spokane and Michael Chrysler of Post Falls; and a sister, Valarie Kircher of Valley.
Lillie (Downing) McPherson
Spokane Valley
No service will be held for Lillie (Downing) McPherson, 96. Neptune Society handled the arrangements.
Mrs. McPherson, who was born in Salmon City, Idaho, died Monday.
She graduated from high school in La Grande, Ore.
In 1929 she married Howard McPherson. They lived in Grangeville, Idaho, for many years, moving to Spokane in the early 1950s.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, camping and fishing. She also was an expert seamstress and worked at several places in the area for many years.
Mrs. McPherson was a member of Spokane Valley Senior Citizens.
Her husband died in 1996.
Survivors include a sister, Una Painter of Spokane Valley; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Elisabeth Wallace
Coeur d’Alene
Memorial service for Elisabeth Wallace, 67, will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene.
Mrs. Wallace, who was born in Hamm, Germany, died Tuesday.
She married Jack Miller in 1959, and the couple had three daughters before he died.
She married Edwin Wallace in 1993 in California, and the couple later settled in Coeur d’Alene.
She enjoyed helping others, sewing, arts and crafts and being near the lake.
Survivors include three daughters, Janet Morse, Nancy Miller and Diane Stephan, all of Seattle; four siblings, Karl-Heinz Baginski, Willi Baginski, Mia Kratzat and Anni Gerwin, all of Germany; two grandchildren and three stepchildren.
Beth Shores
Medical Lake
Funeral for E. Beth Shores, 44, will be today 1 p.m. at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Ms. Shores, who died Sunday, was born in San Jose, Calif. She was a longtime area resident.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Jason Shores and Joshua Langston, both of Spokane; a brother, Bobby Shores of Moscow, Idaho; and a sister, Nicki Petrie, her mother and stepfather, Joyce and Alan Callahan, and her father, Bob Shores, all of Spokane.
Virgil ‘Sparky’ Sparks
Spokane
Funeral for Virgil “Sparky” E. Sparks, 87, will be today at 11 a.m. at Riplinger Funeral Home. Interment will be at Riverside Memorial Park.
Mr. Sparks, who died Monday, was a lifelong resident of Spokane.
He served in the Army and was employed as a truck driver with Darigold Farms.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ann; a daughter, Judith Curtis, and a sister, Naomi Moore, both of Spokane; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.