Eva Pauline Gleason, 91

E. Pauline Gleason, 91, of Elk City and formerly of Weippe, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday May 29, 2007 at a Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville. She was diagnosed with liver cancer only five days previously.

Pauline was born January 17, 1916 in Macon, Missouri to Arthur and Irene Violet Yocum Bradford. As a girl she grew up in Bevier, MO where her favorite toy was a little red rocking chair her Daddy had bought for her. She was known to drag it behind her as she went down the street to see her Grandmother. She graduated Valedictorian at age 16 from Bevier High School. She then went on to be a school teacher in a one room school house in rural Missouri, teaching grades 1 through 12.

At age 19 she met Russell E. Gleason on a blind date at a country dance. They were married six weeks later. The union lasted 56 years. They made their home in Missouri, but shortly thereafter left for California with just $40.00 in their pockets. She and Russell later enjoyed living in Japan where she climbed Mt. Fuji on her first attempt. She was thrilled to return home to California and her already growing family after two years living over-seas.

Pauline loved to square dance, as Russell was a professional square dance caller. She participated in several bowling leagues and regularly went camping, hiking and fishing. She went 25 miles each way on a pack horse several times to revel in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

After retirement, they bought an R.V. and spent many happy years traveling the country from their new home in Grants Pass, OR. They eventually settled in Weippe where Russell passed away in October of 1991. More recently she had moved to Elk City with her daughter and son-in-law.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband Russell, her parents and her siblings. She leaves behind her daughters Mary Pauline (Gerald) Dahl of Southern California and Irene Anne (William) McBride of Elk City, 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and two more on the way!

Her sense of humor made us smile right through the last days of her life. At the end of her life, she showed us what she was really made of, and more importantly what is truly important in this life. Mother, Grandma and Grandma Great left us with a wonderful legacy of love that will stay with each of us forever.

Private family graveside services were held today, May 31, 2007 at the Weippe Cemetery. Services were under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Linda E. Denham, 59

Linda Ellen Denham passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville, Idaho from a rare form of cancer at the age of 59.

She was born Linda Ellen Baldwin on September 30, 1947 in Kooskia, Idaho to Frank and Mabel (Lyons) Baldwin. Linda was the tenth of their twelve children and was the first sibling to pass away in their family. Linda’s siblings include James Baldwin, Kooskia, ID; Leo Baldwin, Kooskia, ID; Elsie Morgan, Port Angeles, WA; Violet Kinnick, Kooskia, ID; Norman Baldwin, Marshall, Minnesota; Elva McFeron, Kamiah, ID; Leonard Baldwin, Orofino, ID; David Baldwin, Potlatch, ID; Daniel Baldwin, Elk City, ID; Jeff Baldwin, Kooskia, ID; and Martha Goff, Meridian, ID. Linda spent her childhood on Tahoe Ridge and the surrounding area. Linda helped raise her younger siblings after her mother passed away when she was only 12 years old. Linda school in Kooskia and enjoyed the farm life and always had wonderful tales of the adventures she and her brothers and sisters shared.

Linda met her husband, Joseph E. Denham, through his friendships with her brothers. The two were married in Kamiah, Idaho at the preacher’s home on December 3, 1966. The night they were married they drove to Elk City with all of their belongings and have resided in the Elk City community ever since.

Linda chose to stay at home and raise her children, Kimberly Rose, Stanley Joseph, and Fredrick Charles. Kimberly and Stan were born in Grangeville but due to a snowstorm, her youngest child, Fred, was born at home. As her children got older she worked for the Senior Meals, planted trees for the forest service, and recently took over the Elk City Daycare as the Director. Linda enjoyed reading, picking huckleberries, hunting mushrooms, cooking for her family, gardening and fishing. Linda was a founding member of the Sew Help Me Quilters and active in all of their sewing activities.

Linda thoroughly enjoyed children, especially her grandchildren David and Bethany Wall of Albany, Oregon with their parents Kimberly and Michael Wall; GraceAnn, Ryan, and Liliann Denham of Elk City, Idaho with their parents Stan and Delise Denham; and Lucas, Amber, Joel and Ethan Denham with their parents, Fred and Jannah Denham, who reside in North Pole, Alaska.

Linda was cremated and a memorial service was held on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at the Elk City School. Arrangements were under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Lorena Tupling MacIntyre, 86

Lorena Tupling MacIntyre, 86, a lifetime Mansfield, Washington area resident, passed away Monday, May 14, 2007 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood.

Lorena was born January 31, 1921 at Mansfield to the late Archie Guy and Enda (Lee) Henton.

She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1940. On October 16, 1941, she married Harlan Jay Tupling at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He preceded her in death on February 5, 1962. She married Ralph MacIntyre on July 29, 1966 in Yakima, Washington and he preceded her in death on November 27, 1997. Lorena was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald Henton.

Lorena was a member of the Mansfield Grange, a Past Noble Grand of Mansfield Rebekahs, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the United Protestant Church.

Survivors include her sons, Larry Tupling and wife Janelle of Mansfield and Ronald Tupling of Covington, Washington; two daughters, Sherry Riley and husband Cecil of Kooskia and Cindy Tupling of Spokane, Washington; grandchildren Pamela Tupling Barajas of Renton, Washington, Danielle Riley of Kooskia, Kristi Riley of Tucson, Arizona, Terry Tupling of Edmonds, Washington, Jolene Tupling of Alabama, and Cory Tupling of Covington; step-grandchildren Cecil Riley, Jr. of Kooskia and Penny Risk of California, as well as 5 step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mansfield United Protestant Church in Mansfield, Washington. Concluding services and interment followed at the Mansfield Cemetery under the direction of the Waterville Funeral Home.

Local arrangements were under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Ruth A. Pottala, 77

Tulsa, OK: Ruth Aileen Pottala, 77 of Tulsa formerly of Grangeville passed away Wed. May 16, 2007 at her home in Tulsa.

Ruth was born October 24, 1929 in Ashland, WI on to John and Gertrude Sliger.

In 1947 she married Toivo Pottala and they made their home in Trout Creek, MI until 1951 when they moved to Idaho. She lived in Grangeville, ID until 2005 when she moved to Tulsa, OK to be near her children and grandchildren.

Ruth was a very giving person and was quick to help whenever needed. She enjoyed quilting, all types of crafts, and spending time with friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, Nikki and Karman Pottala of Edmond, OK, Kenni and Gail Pottala of Tulsa, OK, and Terri and Lee Eckel of Tulsa, OK. Seven grandchildren Trent and Nicole Pottala of Edmond, OK, Jacob Pottala of Evansville, IN, Jared Pottala of Tulsa, OK, and Kaci, Hannah, and Kelcie Eckel of Tulsa, OK.

She is preceded in death by her husband Toivo, mother and father, and sister.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Gospel Tabernacle, Grangeville. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at: Blackmerfuneralhome.com

Virginia A. Gribble, 70

Virginia A. Gribble, 70, passed away at Syringa General Hospital on May 10, 2007 after a long struggle with COPD.

She was born July 7, 1936 to Earl and Bertha Parks at the mouth of Green Creek in her grandparents mining cabin. From there, as she grew, she advanced back to the Camas Prairie and various places. She received her education at Mt. View and Grangeville.

She married Dick Gribble on July 10, 1953. To this union was born 3 children: Crystal, Rich and Sandy.

During the late 1950’s she became a very proficient fry cook and worked at various places. She was an Eastern Star and became Worthy Matron in 1968-70. In 1958, she and her family lived in a tent and worked on the construction of Brownlee Dam. She then went to work the State of Idaho Liquor Dept. and was the manager of the Grangeville store for 19 years. She then went to McCall and managed that store for 8 years. She retired with 27 years with the State of Idaho. During her retirement she traveled extensively; visiting her sister in various countries including Barbados, Italy, Ireland and England.

She is survived by her husband, Dick, of 54 years at the family home in Grangeville; her three children, Crystal of Emmett, Rich of Grangeville and Sandy of Fort Hood, TX; four grandchildren; three sisters, Nevada and Mary of Boise, and Katherine of Grangeville, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Mt. Idaho Cemetery. Friends may call Today, (Tuesday) from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home. Family suggests memorial contribution may be made to the Syringa General Hospital Hospice. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Norma "Gerry" Kidder, 81

Norma “Gerry” Kidder passed away of natural causes at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho on May 9, 2007 at the age of 81.

Gerry was born in Hominy, OK on February 20, 1926 to George and Cancie Lance.

Gerry grew up with seven brothers and sisters in Oklahoma before eventually moving to Grangeville, Idaho in September of 1946. Gerry married and later divorced Robert H.Wilbanks, with whom she had three children: Robert Earl, Janice, and Nancy. She later married Jesse Kidder on February 23, 1963. They had one daughter, Michelle.

Gerry enjoyed being a homemaker, cooking for many family, church, and community events, especially being known for her baked hot rolls. Gerry also spent many years doing childcare in Grangeville. She also loved watching baseball and basketball and listening to country music. Above all else, Gerry loved spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her sister Louise Carter; brother James (Mary) Lance of Boise; her children Jan (Bill) Waite of Boise, Nancy (Keith) Smith of McCall, Michelle (Bob) Forester of Boise, and stepsons Virgil, Jack, and Vaughn Kidder of Oregon; grandchildren Josh, Sarah, Brittany, Jordan, Amber, Adam, Angie, Tiffany, and Jared; and numerous great-grandchildren that she loved dearly.

Gerry was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert H. Wilbanks; husband Jesse Kidder; son Robert E. Wilbanks; brothers Buster, Gene, and Curt Lance; and sisters Zelma Johnston and Georgia Schrom.

A special thanks to St. Luke’s Hospital staff, Boise City EMT, and the Boise Fire Department for their skill and care given to Gerry.

Viewing will be held Monday, May 14 from 4-6 p.m. at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. at Harpster Cemetery. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Iris B. Talbott, 90

Iris B. Brown Talbott, 90, died Sunday, May 6, 2007 at Seasons of Eagle an Alzheimer’s care center in Eagle, Idaho.

Iris was born to Walter “Babe” and Blanche Brown in Clearwater, Idaho, on February 23, 1917. She attended school in Clearwater. During the summers while in high school she worked for Gertrude Maxwell as a cook on her ranch in Elk City. She married Elvin Talbott on January 30, 1939 in Grangeville. They made their first home in Clearwater and then moved to Orgrande where Elvin worked in the mines. With work being scarce they moved to Osburn in 1940 where he continued to work in the silver mines. They moved back to Grangeville in 1947. In 1959 they moved to Bald Mountain where he worked for the state highway dept. Then in 1967 they transferred to Lewiston. Iris worked as a waitress and when Elvin suffered a crippling stroke she went to work as a clerk for an office supply store and then later she worked for Stinker Service Stations. She cared for him at home until his death in October 1989.

Iris learned to crochet at a young age and continued until about 3 months ago. She loved to fish and pick huckleberries, sew and do embroidery work. Her grandchildren were the delight of her life. She especially enjoyed attending their sporting events and became known as “granny” to her grandchildren’s teammates.

She is survived by her daughter Myrna DeHaas and husband Don of Grangeville. Seven grandchildren, David DeHaas and wife Wendy, Shelley Rambo and husband Steve. Leanne Kinghorn, Bonnie Thiele and husband Steve all living in the Boise valley. Sherri Battles, Debby Parkhurst and husband Steve all of Cedar Park, TX, Jeffory Talbott and wife Shantell of Cottonwood. One step grandson Sean Mattoon and wife Cory of Lewiston, thirteen great grandchildren and one step great grandson. One sister Jessie McCulley of Grangeville, her sister in law Joy Talbott and daughter in law Patrica Talbott of Clarkston, WA. Also numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Elvin Talbott, her son Leland Talbott, twin brothers Harlan and Seibert Brown, sisters, Cleo Davis, Gladys Jaques, and Olive McCulley. He last remaining brother in law, Mel Teal preceded her in death on Sunday by about an hour.

Services will be held Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Rev. Rich Jorgenson of the Grangeville Nazarene Church will officiate. She will be buried with her husband at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston. Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital or to a favorite charity. Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.