Clara DeHaas, 105

Clara DeHaas, 105, a resident of Idaho County for nearly 100 years, died on February 28, 2008, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center (GHRC), of infirmities of age. News reports surrounding her 105th birthday suggested Clara may have been Idaho’s eldest citizen.

She was born December 19, 1902, in Manhattan, MT, a daughter of John and Hilje Workman. When she was six years old, the family moved to Grangeville. During those subsequent years, she was able to transition from her native Dutch language to English and begin school in the Grangeville area. Clara loved learning and often shared tales of her childhood school experiences.

She married William DeHaas on October 11, 1922, and they farmed in the Grangeville area until their retirement in 1974. In 1997, Clara became one of the first residents of The Beehive in Grangeville, where she enjoyed the opportunity to have constant companionship and someone else to prepare the meals- something she had done for countless farm folks over the years.

Clara’s Christian-based faith remained the foundation for her life. She was a founding member of the Grangeville Christian Reformed Church, enjoyed fellowship with family at the Grangeville Christian Church, and thoroughly enjoyed singing hymns. While living at the Idaho County Nursing Home and GHRC, Clara often led the meal time prayers. Sundays were marked by Clara donning a dress and attending afternoon church services with her children in the GHRC dining room. Clara enjoyed the many activities presented by GHRC and treasured the opportunity to serve as an ambassador while riding in the 2007 Border Days parade.

Clara’s personal diaries also reflect her strong interest in flowers. Even in her latter days, she would awaken and ask to smell the fresh flowers on her nightstand. Friends and family remember Clara for her easy-going, sweet personality and her sheer delight in visiting with her extended family and friends.

Survivors include her sons living in the Grangeville area, John (Susan), Frank (Rosella), Don (Myrna), Bernard (Barbara), and Gary; her daughter, Sharon (Cork) Hogaboam, in Connell, WA; daughters-in-law, Georgia DeHaas Earp and Carol DeHaas of Grangeville, and son-in-law Bob Fischer of Bismarck, SD. She is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 55+ great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, to whom she has imparted great wisdom.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William, who died in 1980; children and spouses, Gerrit Richard, Marion (Freida), Robert DeHaas, Betty (Ken) Forseth, Patricia Fischer; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Siblings John Workman, Joe Workman, Gerrit Workman, Tena Vrieling, Jennie Hoogland and Lavina Likkel also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, 2008, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Grangeville Christian Church Building Fund or to the Grangeville Christian Reformed Church’s Memorial Fund.

Condolences to the family may be sent to www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Hendrika Betournay, 88

Funeral services for Hendrika Betournay 88, will be on Friday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.

David Weisz, 85

Funeral services for David Weisz, 85, of Grangeville, will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery.

Viewing will be on Friday, February 29, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A full obituary will appear in the near future.

Josephine A. Stewart, 90

Josephine A. Stratch Stewart, 90, of Grangeville, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Josephine was born October 14, 1917 in Garden City, Kansas.

She married Ralph P. Stewart on October 24, 1934. They moved from Midwest Kansas to Grangeville in 1936. In 1941, they moved to Spokane for a short period before moving to Vancouver, Washington in latter 1941 to work in the shipyards during WW II. Josephine was a burner (cutting torch operator) in the shipyards and her husband Ralph was a shipwright.

They moved back to Grangeville in 1948 and two years later in 1950, they bought the Grangeville Transit Mix. Josephine was the business bookkeeper until 1976 at which time they sold the business to their sons, Ralph (Sonny) and Gary.

Josephine loved her many grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchildren and loved to spend time with them. She was a bowler for 40 years and was also an instructor for kids bowling. She loved to collect dolls and mend and make clothes for them. She had accumulated as many as 500 dolls over the years. She enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her friends and family. She also loved to make her many weekly trips to Kamiah to play the penny machines at the casino with her best friend, Lorraine Kennedy.

She is survived by a son, Ralph W. (Sonny) Stewart of Grangeville; grandson Gary and wife Susan Stewart, and their children Ashley, Kelly, and Calla; grandson Marty Stewart and his girlfriend, Kari Page, and Marty’s children Stephanie, Jordan, Dylan, Taylor and Jake; grandson Johnny and wife Kathy and their children Jason and Jennifer; granddaughter Kathy Henn and husband Bill, and their children Kyla, Cody and Chad; granddaughters Heidi Funke and Marcie Stewart and Marcie’s son, Ethan; great-great grandchildren Taren, William, Chance, Treson, Emma; as well as many nieces and nephews. Many other children considered Josephine to be their grandma, also.

Josephine was preceded in death by 3 infant sons in early years of marriage; her youngest son, Gary Stewart; 2 great grandchildren; her husband Ralph P. Stewart; daughter-in-law Yoshiko Stewart; all six of her sisters, and one brother.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville, with Pastor Harold Gott officiating.

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

Condolences to the family may be sent to www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.