Donald Ray "Gabby" Ruzicka, 74

Donald (Gabby) Ruzicka, 74, of Grangeville, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood.

He was born December 13, 1933 to Albert and Irene C. (Zehner) Ruzicka at Denver, Idaho. He attended school at Columbus Grade School and Grangeville High School. He joined the Navy in 1950 and spent four years serving his country.

Donald returned to Grangeville and married Donna J. Austin on June 4, 1955. They started their lives together in Grangeville, where he worked as a logger, mill worker, and in railroad maintenance. They moved to the Salmon River area to work on the Spencer Ranch, then to Garfield, Washington to work on the Dippel Ranch. They then moved to Spokane where he started long haul trucking.

In 1975, they returned to Grangeville where he worked for Seubert Excavators in Cottonwood, and then Baker Truck Service in Grangeville. He retired from Uhlenkott’s Well Drilling in 1995 to the family ranch on Cottonwood Creek. There, he enjoyed just tinkering around.

Donald was a life member to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 51. Hunting, fishing, and telling stories were his passions and he loved to be out riding his 4-wheeler.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, at their Grangeville home; three children, Albert E. (Cindy) Ruzicka, Tonda S. (Jeff) VonBargen, and Lois R. (Darrel) Gehring; six grandchildren, Shelly (John) Bentley, Stacy Ruzicka, Shane (fiancee Bridget Enneking) Ruzicka, Jenifer VonBargen, Jason VonBargen, and Joey Gehring; and eight great grandchildren, Stephanie Bentley, Chase Bentley, Kira Bentley, Mikala Esquivel, Khyleigh Esquivel, Jerzee Ruzicka, Darcy Gehring, and Keirsten Gehring.

Viewing will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2008, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. A potluck dinner will follow the services at the Grangeville Eagles Hall.

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

Doug Howe, 50

Doug Howe, 50, of Elk City, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008, in the woods above Grangeville on a logging job.

Doug was born May 30, 1958, in Tonasket, Washington to Fred and Norma Howe.

In May 1960, the family moved to Elk City. While growing up in Elk City, he was well known for selling the magazine, Grit. He enjoyed collecting coins, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling.

He graduated from Clearwater Valley High School in Kooskia in 1976. After high school, he enrolled at West Point Military Academy in New York.

After West Point, he enrolled in college at Idaho State University. After ISU, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Hendren. After their marriage, both attended college at the University of Idaho.

After college, Doug went to work in the woods as a timber faller. In 1984, he and his father started their own company, H & H Logging. Doug continued this work up until his death.

Another enjoyment for Doug was traveling with Carolyn during spring break-up.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, at their Elk City home; sons, Jay of Elk City, and Rocky and wife Andrea of Grangeville; parents, Fred and Norma Howe of Lewiston; and a brother, Craig and wife Laura of Tonasket, Washington.

Doug was preceded in death by a sister, Patty.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A potluck dinner will follow at the Grangeville Senior Citizen’s Center located on the Grangeville truck route.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.

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

Ruth M. Westberg, 86

Ruth M. Westberg, age 86, passed away Monday, November 17, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Ruth was born July 21, 1922, at Culdesac, Idaho to George and Louie Coffland.

She graduated from Culdesac High School in 1942. She moved to Camp 58 Logging Camp near Grangeville after high school to work in the kitchen at this logging camp. There, she met her future husband, Gus Westberg. They were married December 24, 1948, at John Day, Oregon. Gus died June 24, 1987.

Ruth was a homemaker and they had six children.

Surviving her are three daughters, Judy (Ron) Brackelsberg, and Lynne (Mike) Fredrickson of Grangeville, and Terri (Mike) Wisdom of Lewiston; three sons, Mark (Donna) Westberg of Sunnyvale, California, Wayne (Tammy) Westberg of Kennewick, Washington, and Brad Westberg of Nampa, Idaho; one brother, Robert (Nina) Coffland of Lewiston, and one sister, Betty Floch of Asotin, Washington. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two grandchildren and two sisters.

In Ruth’s later years, she enjoyed going to the Grangeville Senior Center for companionship, gossip, and food. She also enjoyed spending time with family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Inurnment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorials may be made in Ruth’s name to the Grangeville Senior Center.

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

Steve B. Webb, 36

Steve Brian Webb, 36, of Grangeville, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood.

Steve was born July 25, 1972 in Grangeville. He graduated from Grangeville High School where he enjoyed playing football. He then attended LCSC and later graduated.

In addition to football, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Steve enjoyed all his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his mother, Morty of Alaska; his father, Patrick of Grangeville; his grandmother, Florence Webb of Grangeville; his brothers, Brian and Fred; sisters, Miranda, Lisa, Debbie, Shanna, Shawndel, Melanie and Missy. He is also survived by a special aunt, Norma Moore.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Sam.

Graveside services will be held Monday, November 17, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville.

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

Ellen G. Winkes, 90

Ellen Gwendolyn (McPherson) Winkes, 90, of Grangeville, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at Life Care Center in Lewiston.

Ellen was born March 29, 1918, in Lambert, Montana, a daughter of Wallace and Neva McChesney McPherson. She was the first of five children. She met Lester Winkes while working as a ship welder during WWII. They were married in 1946. They had six children. They moved to Grangeville, Idaho where they opened Winkes Brothers Hardware and later Magic Floors. She also owned Ellen’s Craft Store. After retirement, they lived in Arizona and traveled throughout the southwest. After Lester’s death in 1978, she and her daughter, Cathy, moved back to Grangeville.

She was a member of Camp Fire Girls, Toastmistress, Soroptimist, and a local bridge club. She was also a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville.

She is survived by her children, Patricia (Ken) Schmidt, John (Sharon) Winkes, Maureen Winkes, Regina (Patrick) Dunroven, and Teresa (Paul) Scott; a sister, Reta Onstott of Sheridan, Wyoming; 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, her daughter Cathy, two grandchildren, and a great grandchild died earlier.

A rosary will be held Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. Father Brad Neely will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. A visitation will be held Friday, November 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Saints Peter and Paul School.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.

Alda F. Dee, 87

Alda F. Dee, 87, of Grangeville, a dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife and friend, was welcomed to Heaven Sunday, November 2, 2008.

Alda was born on August 5, 1921 in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Italian immigrants, Angelo and Eliza Pallovacini Lavagetto. She and her brother, Frank, grew up helping with the family florist business, Angelo’s for Flowers.

When she was 10 years old, Alda traveled with her mother and brother to Italy to visit family. One of her fondest memories of the visit was joining other family members and residents of Chiavari/Sestri, carrying picnic baskets and singing as they climbed a nearby hill each Sunday after Mass.

Alda attended grade school in Spokane and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1939. She graduated from Spokane Junior College in 1941. She then enrolled in Washington State College, currently Washington State University, where she received her degree in English in 1943.

While attending WSC, Alda met and married Robert T. Coffman. He received his Veterinarian degree and served in the Army during WWII. In 1945, a farmer from Grangeville, Marion Weber, contacted Bob at WSU and encouraged Alda and Bob to move to Grangeville, where a vet was needed. Bob opened his first veterinary clinic and became known as ‘Doc” Coffman.

While raising their three sons, Rick, Don, and Chris, Alda was active in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She was a substitute teacher at Grangeville High School, a member of AAUW, and a bridge club. She and Bob followed high school sports and were avid WSU Cougar Football Fans.

In 1969, Alda, Bob, and Chris moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Bob was a meat inspector for the State of Oregon. While in Corvallis, the family and visiting family members enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast. The coast became a favorite destination for Alda.

When Bob passed away in 1970, Alda and Chris returned home to Grangeville. From 1970-1977 she was the librarian at the Grangeville Centennial Library.

Alda and William J. Dee were married on October 15, 1977. During their 19 years of marriage, Alda and Bill enjoyed gardening, traveling, and preparing gourmet meals for family and friends. Alda’s motto was “Manja! Manja!” (Eat! Eat!). Many special Coffman-Dee memories were made during gatherings at Bill and Alda’s home in the foothills overlooking the Camas Prairie.

When Bill passed away in June of 1996, Alda moved back into Grangeville, where she continued to enjoy visits with her friends, children and grandchildren, cooking, solving the daily crossword puzzles, and reading and following the WSU Coug’s football games.

Alda concluded each evening with prayers, finding five reasons to be thankful for the day and praying for family and friends. When she told someone she would pray for them, she did.

Alda is survived by Rick and Marcie Coffman of Caldwell and their son, Mitch of Boise; Don and Patty Coffman of Kooskia and their daughter Kristi of Boise; Richard and Gloria Dee of Seattle; grandson, Reed Allen of Lewiston; great granddaughters, Emma and Atley, daughters of grandson Kevin and Linsey Coffman of Lakeview, Oregon; Bill and Ursula Dee and their children, Stephanie, Jonathon, and Jessica of Twin Falls; Stephanie and her husband’s children, Nikolas and Anthony Aloyo complete Alda’s list of great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister in law, Jane, and nephew, Jeff Lavagetto of Spokane.

Alda was preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen; son, Chris, and her brother, Frank.

A celebration of her life will begin Friday, November 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with a recitation of the rosary at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. with burial concluding the services at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. Father Bradley Neely will be the Celebrant. Viewing will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2008, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School, the Grangeville Centennial Library, or to Animal Ark.

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

Billy F. Nanney, 59

Billy F. Nanney, 59, of Grangeville, passed away suddenly on October 29, 2008, at his home in Grangeville.

Billy was born January 31, 1949 in Morton, Washington. He worked as a logger all his life and raised his three children in Morton. Billy moved to the Grangeville area in 2005 with his special companion, Susan Sargent. He loved fishing and rock hunting and figured he had found the perfect place for both. He started playing karaoke for friends and special occasions where he met many good people and he enjoyed every moment of singing with friends. He had a great singing voice which everybody enjoyed listening too. He will be missed so much by so many.

His is survived by his three children, Tina Nanney of Chandler, Arizona, Rick Nanney of Centralia, Washington, and Terri Beringer of Maple Valley, Washington; his grandchildren, Amy Rae Nanney Palumbo of Chandler, Arizona, and Jon “Willy” Vigre of Silver Creek, Washington; his mother, Irene Nanney of Morton, Washington; a sister, Shirley Collins of Onalaska, Washington; brothers, Leon (Sadie) Nanney of Silver Creek, Washington, and Howard “Nub” Nanney of Morton, Washington, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his companion, Susan “Susie Q” Sargent of Grangeville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Luen “Hoot” Nanney; a brother, Larry Russell Nanney, and a brother in law, Frank Collins.

This is not good bye Billy, just a “see ya later”, Susie Q.

A celebration of his life will be held on November 22 in Morton.

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