Harold "Hal" O. Ness, 70

Harold (Hal) Owen Ness, 70, of Grangeville, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at his home in Grangeville.

Hal was born May 17, 1937 in Virginia, Minnesota to Harold and Elsie Ness.

He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound and later received his Master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He was an educator, counselor and coach for the Vancouver School District for a total of 37 years. After teaching, Hal and his wife, Tove, retired in Grangeville and wintered in Arizona so he could pursue his hobbies of bicycle riding.

Hal is survived by his wife of 48 years, Tove, at their Grangeville home; sons Todd Ness and wife Bonnie, and Troy Ness and his wife Stephanie; 7 grandchildren: Lindsay, Alexis, Trevor, Savannah, Isabella, Michael and Mathew; sisters Gloria Eby and Gale Rosenquist, and brothers Dick Dickinson and Dale Dickinson.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Castle Rock Methodist Church in Castle Rock, Washington.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of local arrangements.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Darrell Adams, 64

My husband, Darrell Adams entered this world on October 20, 1942, in Eugene,Ore. He was the first of three children born to Chet and Hazel Adams.

He attended Crow High School in Crow, Ore., where he excelled in hot rodcars and high school pranks. In 1961 he graduated from Crow High School and immmediately began his career in the woods.

Darrell and I were high school sweethearts. We married on September 21,1963. We were married in Lorane, Ore., at the Lorane Christian Church. We honeymooned at Crater Lake and because it was September headed straight for hunting camp. We eventually made our home in Lorane.

Darrell and I were blessed with three children: Teri (1964), Jeff (1971) and Tricia (1974).

Darrell and I moved to St. Maries in 1976 and in 1978 we moved to Grangeville and started TM Logging. One of his proudest moments was when in 1999 he and his son Jeff partnered to start Elk Mountain Logging.

My husband lived and breathed being in the woods. Darrell taught his kids and grandkids about the peace of being in nature. As a logging family, we spent our "vacations" in the woods. The kids fished, picked huckleberries and mushrooms and played in the dirt. Our children often thank us for nevertaking them to Disneyland.

My husband and best friend passed away on June 23, 2007.

He is survived by me, Pat Adams, his wife of 43 years and our three children and their spouses, Teri and Shawn Wassmuth, Jeff and Trisha Adams and Tricia and Jason Klement; his grandchildren Zachary Schacher, Keith Holcomb, Lexie, Lanie and Kinzley Adams and Cody John Klement.

Darrell's church was the woods and his favorite flower a lady slipper. When I see Darrell's favorite flower, I will smile because I know that he is still with us.

I will miss my husband, my kids will miss their dad, my grandkids will miss their Pop and his friends will miss their huntin' partner but we won't worry about him because where he is the timber has four long logs in every tree and a bush in every top. There are steelhead in every river and bucks and bulls everywhere.

Please join us for a memorial honoring my husband on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at The First Christian Church in Grangeville. We would be pleased to see you loggers in your loggin' clothes.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Dennis L. Cox, 57

Dennis L. Cox, 57, of Elk City, died Monday, June 25, 2007 near Elk City.

Dennis was born June 30, 1949 at Orofino, Idaho to Raymond D. and Joyce C. Cox. His family moved to Elk City in 1956. At the age of 16, he began work at the sawmill in Elk City and remained there for 41 years until his retirement in January 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Janet A. Cox at their Elk City home; his son, Raymond D. Cox of Elk City; one daughter of Grangeville; 3 grandchildren, Raymond C. Cox and Megan A. Cox, both of Elk City, and Shawna R. Sipes of Grangeville.

Dennis had three true passions in life. First and foremost, his family was his top priority. His second passion was fishing; the third was the way of life in the forests and mountains around Elk City, untouched by modernization and technology. He truly loved the simple ways of mountain life.

At Dennis’ request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Norma Marie Bentley Tefft, 96

Norma Marie Bentley Tefft, 96, passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville.

Norma was born November 22, 1910 at Graves Creek, Idaho, a daughter of John and Pearl Troeh Bentley. She was raised on the Camas Prairie west of Tolo, where she attended country schools. After graduating from Grangeville High School in 1928, she attended Lewiston Business School. Later she returned to Grangeville and worked for the local bank, Irwin Drug, and as a seamstress. In 1934 she married Charles Tefft. They built their home in Grangeville where their four children were born.

Norma was an active member of the Grangeville Christian Church where she taught Sunday school for fifty years. Her hobbies were gardening, handicrafts, and sewing. She was an avid dancer and water sports enthusiast. Senior Citizens, Soroptimist, Neighbors of Woodcraft, and Garden Club were a few of her activities. She enjoyed family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Charles; parents; sister Thelma Simons, and brothers Fred, Robert and Harold Bentley. Norma is survived by her daughters, Shirley Williamson of Boise, Mardell Mitchell of Grangeville, Kathie and Bill Horner of Meridian; her son, John and Karen Tefft of Grangeville; fourteen grandchildren, twenty five great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Christian Church. Pastor Harold Gott will officiate. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, June 29, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Grangeville Christian Church Building Fund.

Those who knew Norma said her secret to longevity was due to her daily walk with the pooch and her poises.

Send condolences to the family at: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.