Latitia M. Williams, 70

Latitia “Tish” Mae Lee Arnold Williams, 70, of Kamiah, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino.

She was born April 25, 1938 in Sumerfield, Oklahoma to Thomas and Blanch Lee. She moved to Hayfork, California in 1951, where she lived until 3 ½ years ago. She moved to Kamiah in 2004 to be closer to her daughter “Sis”.

Tish married Joe Davied Arnold on July 2, 1955. They were married 14 years. He died November 7, 1969. She then married Charles Andrew Williams August 30, 1975.

Tish was a homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting, camping, dancing, gardening and listening to her dad and her brother “Bill” play music. She was a member of V.F.W. Women’s Auxiliary, a Life Member of D.A.V. Auxiliary, and a member of American Legion.

Tish is survived by her husband, Charles Andrew Williams of Kamiah; daughters, Linda Webb and husband Mark of Soulsbyville, California, Thelma Guy and husband Clinton of Kamiah; grandsons, Dale Arnold and wife Michelle of Kingman, Arizona, Kyland Lusby and wife Tera of Sparks, Nevada, Travas Waldrop of Lewiston, Dustan Waldrop of Grangeville, and Tysan Guy of Kamiah; step grandson Clinton Guy Jr. of Winston, Oregon; great-granddaughters Alexis Lusby of Sparks, Nevada, and Mattisyn and Mikayla Waldrop of Lewiston; great-grandsons Ethan Arnold of Kingman, Arizona, and Chaston and Kyan Lusby of Sparks, Nevada; step great-granddaughters Megan Guy of Brookings, Oregon, and Brianna and Kerryssa Wainwright of Modesto, California; step great-grandsons Andy Hays and Alex Hays of Richland Washington, Michael Guy of Winston, Oregon, and David and Bryan Wainwright of Modesto, California.

Tish was preceded in death by her first husband, Joe Davied Arnold; son, Joe Davied Arnold Jr.; parents, Thomas and Blanch Lee; sisters Pearl Robbins and Margaret Dunkin, and step granddaughter Melinda Hays.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., at Kamiah Cemetery, with the Rev. Luann Howard officiating.

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

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

Justin L. Warden, 81

Justin L. Warden, 81, of Grangeville, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center of complications from a stroke.

Justin was born March 14, 1927, at Happy Hollow near Grangeville to John S. Warden and Irma G. Halford Warden.

He attended country schools near Grangeville. He went to work for John E. Gortsema after leaving school, then worked at various jobs including owning the Midway Service Station in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Justin married Elouise Earp in June 1948. They had three children before divorcing in 1962. He married Ella Mae Allen in 1963.

He retired for the Grangeville School District as Head Bus Mechanic in 1988.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Mae, at the family home in Grangeville; two sons, Gene and wife Leslie, and Don and wife Carol of Grangeville; a daughter, Jackie Chaffins of Spokane, WA; step-son Steve Allen and wife Kathy of Florida; step-daughters Lottie Allen of Boise, Marie and husband Bob Snyder of Medford, OR, Vickie and husband Jim Grainger of Boise; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; two brothers, Jack and wife Mary Lou of Weiser, ID, and Jerry and wife Marlene of Salem, OR.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Paul, Bud, Jay, Dick, Neil and Monty; and three sisters, Alice Culley, Ruby Randall and Clare Meyers.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A gathering will follow the services for family and friends at the family home.

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

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

Lulu I. Wilson, 95

Lulu Wilson, of Grangeville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was 95 years old.

She was born December 23, 1912, on a ranch outside of Grangeville to William and Eva Manring, the youngest of ten children.

Lulu attended school in a one-room school house outside of Grangeville. After school she went to Lewiston and worked as a diet kitchen worker at St. Joseph’s Hospital. During the Depression, she moved back home to help her parents with their ranch. After leaving the ranch, she worked as a nurse at the Dysard Hospital in Grangeville and in the early 70’s, she was a cook at the Grangeville High School.

Lulu met Darrell Wilson at a dance in Mt. Idaho in 1938. They were married on July 8, 1939, and were together for 45 years until Darrell’s death in 1984. In June of 1940, they had their only child, Earl. Earl brought a lot of joy to their lives and it was a difficult time for Darrell and Lu when he died with 90 other miners in the Sunshine Mine Fire at Kellogg, Idaho in May of 1972.

Lulu was a member of the Grangeville Christian Church. She participated in CFW for many years and taught Sunday school classes for the younger kids. Lulu and her sister Nellie started the Sunshine Club in the 1960’s. The purpose of this club was to get together at the nursing home in Grangeville each month and celebrate birthdays of the residents and share a time of worship.

Survivors include her sister, Marjorie Hindman of Grangeville; granddaughter Sandra and Ed Aiken of Grangeville; great grandchildren Dace, Ashley, and Taren Nuxoll of Lewiston, Ryan Nuxoll of Grangeville, Michaela Nuxoll of Lewiston, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Grangeville Christian Church, with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Inurnment will take place on June 7, at 2:00 p.m., at the Mount Idaho Cemetery.

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

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

Bonnie D. Robie, 63

On April 12th , 2008, I went home to be with the Lord. I passed away from complications of Colon Cancer.

I was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on July 8th, 1944. My parents, Mildred and Lewis F. Botens Jr. moved to Grangeville in the early 1950’s. I was raised on the Camas Prairie and loved it. I enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with my parents in Dixie and on the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers. I made many dear friends over the years and would love to give special thanks to them.

To Dick and Jean Baker of Clarkston, Washington, they opened their home and hearts to me. They gave me a warm bed and food so that I could go through treatment and many doctor appointments over my 18 month battle with cancer. They are dearly loved and will never be forgotten. To Don and Dee Dee Eldred of Grangeville, thank you for looking in on me every day. Shoveling snow off my car all winter , picking up my mail and cooking wonderful meals for me even when I couldn’t eat they were wonderful. Thank you for helping me with my every need. To Sharon and Linda Key and Nancy Thompson thank you for bringing me groceries and medicine when I was too sick to get to the store or pharmacy for myself. To Jim and Tammy Burt and Cash and Carry for all of their love and support. To Shannon and Delvin Rauch, thank you for so many great holidays up at the cabin in Dixie. I loved every trip. To Erin, Linda and Roberta Robie, thank you for giving me a real piece of mind when times were tough. To Dr. Rooney and the nursing staff at St. Joe’s you have truly enriched my life, thank you.

My friends were very important part of my life. They have not all been mentioned but every visit, hug and phone call were appreciated and made a difference.

I was preceded in death by my father, Lewis F. Botens and mother Mildred (Bookie) Botens.

Survivors include my brother, Roger Botens of Clarkston, Washington; My daughter, Luann Wing and husband Buzz of Salmon, Idaho; My son, Chad Robie and wife Kari and grandaughters Jordyn, Sierra, Kendall, and new grandson Kayler of Heppner, Oregon.

Cremation will take place and services will be held at the Christian Church in Grangeville on Friday, April 18th at 1:00 P.M., with graveside services at Prairie View Cemetery and reception at Christian Church to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in my name to the Elks Rehab facility at 600 North Robbins Road, Boise, Idaho 83702.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.

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

Ted F. Hilbert, 78

Ted F. Hilbert passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, of cancer, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born November 5, 1929, the second child of Mike and Dorothy (Gehring) Hilbert in the back room of the old Keuterville, ID store. Losing his mother at 18 months of age, he went to live with his grandparents for the next 8 years.

A life long Catholic, he started serving mass at age 6 and attended St. Gertrude's Academy. He graduated from Cottonwood High School, and then attended Gonzaga University where he was active in boxing.

He was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and was stationed in England and Germany as astatistician.

He returned to Cottonwood, ID to help his father, stepmother and 7 siblings. He was a bar owner, deputy, and did taxes for Forsmann Accounting during tax season. In 1953, he went to work for Hoene Implement in Grangeville and was there for the next 30 years, purchasing it in 1976. In 1987, he opened H & H Service in Grangeville where he retired from on September 20, 2006. Whether it was for tax returns, payroll needs, or just to visit about cribbage or football, H & H Service was a revolving door for clients who became more than friends....they were family.

He married Parilee (Pete) Farley in August 1954 and they made their home in Grangeville, raising their 5 children in the country on Happy Hallow Road. She preceded him in death in 1988. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Isabel Engel, in Grangeville. They spent the next 19 years sharing their lives in their business, with their children, numerous friends, and their community. They were truly lifelong partners and they were the best of friends!

Ted had many, many accomplishments in his life. He would tell you the greatest accomplishments of all were his children and grandchildren. He was past Commander American Legion-Cottonwood; life member of the VFW; he helped build and was Past President of the Grangeville Gun Club; Past Exalted Ruler and secretary/treasurer of the Grangeville Elks Club. Ted was an avid Whitebird cribbage player and champion; he also spent as much time as he could trap shooting, hunting, and especially fly fishing, tyinghis own flies. Fondest memories are of watching the wildlife, riding horses, hunting, fishing, and spending time together at the family cabin at Anderson Meadows.

Ted is survived at the family home by his wife, Isabel Hilbert; son Jeff Hilbert and wife Denice and grandson Jeremy Skeen of Lewiston; daughter Amy Bond and husband Dave and grandchildren Thomas Webb, Afton Bond, and Tanner Bond of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; stepson Luke Engel and wife Sheila and grandchildren Gage Engel and Samantha Engel of Oregon City, Oregon; stepdaughter Lori Giese and husband Kirk and grandchildren Crystal Giese and Kirk Giese Jr. of Goldendale, Washington; son Nick Hilbert and wife Shawna and granddaughters Caitland Charley, Whitney Charley, and Rochelle Hilbert of Grangeville; son Wade Hilbert of Fenn, and fiancée Sheri White and grandson Kenneth Hilbert of Kamiah; daughter Anna Hilbert and her partner Sam Reeves and grandson Jonathan Reeves of Grangeville; sisters Joan Applegate and husband Tom, Shirley Rogers, Judy Gunter, Donnie Zellers, Bobbie Schmidt, Betty Ann Hilbert, and brother, Michael Hilbert Jr..

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pete; and numerous dogs, cats, chickens, horses, hamsters, and 1 snake.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, from 5-7 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 N. Mill St., in Grangeville. A rosary will also be held on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m., also at the church. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Keuterville Cemetery.

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

Condolences may be sent to the family at 279 Grangeville Salmon Road, Grangeville, ID 83530 or online at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com. Live, laugh, love!

Woodrow Clayton Fitch, 95

Woodrow Clayton Fitch was born the youngest child of Scott and Mary Fryman Fitch in Payette, Idaho, on March 24, 1913. He died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at his home in Grangeville, Idaho.

As a boy, his family moved to a small farm near Fruitland, Idaho. He attended Fruitland High School and graduated in 1931. He attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho, graduating in 1936. He played four years for the C of I football team, and was selected as an all-conference center in 1934.

After graduation, Fitch was hired by the Civilian Conservation Corps as an educational advisor. His first appointment was to Slate Creek, Idaho, where he met his bride, Marjorie Dempsey. They were married July 6, 1939 in Grangeville, Idaho, and made their home at Camp Growden, Washington.

Fitch was teaching at Southwick, Idaho when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and he enlisted in the Army in August 1942. After basic training at Camp Roberts in California, he graduated Officer Candidates School at Camp McCall, North Carolina. From there he went to Fort Benning, Georgia for Paratrooper School, where he earned his coveted jump wings. He shipped out with the 11th Airborne to New Guinea, and participated in the invasion of Leyte Island in the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. Fitch participated in the 11th Airborne's rescue of the Los Banos prison camp, where they released 2,476 prisoners from the Japanese. He was promoted to Captain, served as Company Commander, and was later awarded the Bronze Star for valor. When the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan, Fitch knew he was soon going home.

He returned to the Camas Prairie in 1945 and began farming with his father-in-law, Ward Dempsey. He taught school and was principal in Southwick and Grangeville. In 1960, he was elected to the Grangeville School Board where he served for 26 years. He was elected President of the Idaho School Board Association, 1977-1978. He was involved with the town's baseball league for over 10 years as an umpire. He served on the UnionWarehouse Board and on the Union Highway Board. Fitch was honored as GrandMarshall of the Border Days celebration in 1998.

Woody is survived by his wife, Marge, of Grangeville; three children, Scott and wife Donna of Hood River, Oregon; Buck and wife Jeannie of Riggins, Idaho; Kate and husband David Solberg of Portland, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Jed Fitch, Erin Fitch, Julie McClanahan, Tyler Fitch, Scott Solberg, Allison Solberg, and Meredith Solberg, and two great grandchildren, Kylie and Ty McClanahan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Gladys Gearhart, Harlen Fitch, Gretchen Barton, Roblie Fitch, and Geneva Baker.

A memorial service is set for Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A reception will be held following the service at theGrangeville Senior Citizens Center. All are invited to attend.

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

Marjorie Ruth Settle Huartson, 91

Long-time Riggins resident, Marjorie Huartson, passed away on March 26, 2008 at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center. She had been a resident there in Grangeville for several years. She was 91.

Marjorie Ruth Settle was born to Clyde and Joanna (Lee) Settle on November 23, 1916, in Afton, Wyoming. After living a short time in Salt Lake City, Utah, the family moved to Sacramento, California, in 1926. She had a younger sister, Virginia. In their early childhood, Marjorie and Virginia had trouble saying each other’s name, so they were known to each other as Din (Virginia) and Bardi (Marjorie); nicknames they lovingly used from then on. Marjorie took piano lessons as a young girl and so loved to play that her father had to pay her to STOP practicing at times. She graduated from high school in Sacramento in 1934.

Marjorie married Harold (Hal) Huartson on June 18, 1938, in Carson City, Nevada. They lived in Sacramento and had three children: Doranna Joyce, Richard Develo, and Claudia Louise. Marjorie worked secretarial jobs, working at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento for many years. She also taught piano lessons. She and Doranna enjoyed playing piano duets. In 1960, they moved to Foresthill, California, where Marjorie was able to be a full-time housewife, and enjoyed the pleasures of her needlework (knitting, crocheting, tatting, and quilting) and baking bread, and loving every minute of it.

Unfortunately, this was not to last. In August 1960 they were burned out by a forest fire and lost everything, including her beloved piano. Marjorie went to work for the U.S. Forest Service until a move to Reno, Nevada, in 1970. In Reno, she worked for HUD until her retirement in 1976, at which time Marjorie and Hal moved to Riggins to spend their retirement years.

In Riggins, she joined the Salmon River Art Guild and began a hobby of painting in many medias. She was very creative, later adding quilling and pine needle basket-making to her artistic and needlework skills. She enjoyed all her needlework and artistic endeavors and always had several projects going.

Knowing she had Alzheimer’s, she hoped to stave off the disease by keeping her mind active. One way to do this was to memorize things. She vowed and succeeded in memorizing one of her favorite poets, Robert W. Service, and his poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee”.

In 1996, she fell and broke her hip. After her recovery, she lived with daughter Claudia and husband Rocke Wilson for over 4 years until she entered the Idaho County Nursing home.

She is survived by her three children: Doranna Glettig of Markleeville, California, Richard Huartson of Pine Grove, California, and Claudia Wilson of Riggins; 7 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband; sister, Virginia; a grandchild, Caren Tognotti, and a great-grandchild, Peyton Pulsipher.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. MST, at the Salmon River Community Church in Riggins.

The family requests that any donations may be made in Marjorie’s name to the Alzheimer’s Organization via the internet at www.alz.org. The family thanks you for your generosity.

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

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

Barbara Spears, 97

Barbara Spears, 97, of Grangeville, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, at the Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born May 8, 1910, above Fish Creek near Grangeville, to Carrol and Dea Culley.

Barbara lived around Grangeville until the age of 18, when she married Elmer Parks. After Elmer passed away, Barbara married George Crosier, and after his passing, she married Bob Spears, who has also passed on.

Most of her life was spent here in the Grangeville area besides short stints in Missoula, Montana and Lewiston, Idaho.

Barbara enjoyed fiddling with the Old Time Fiddlers as well as her time in the Grangeville Garden Club. She also loved everything to do with the outdoors. Some of her favorite activities included camping, fishing, and 4-wheeling.

She is survived by her daughter, Averil Franklin and companion Vance Curtis of Citrus Heights, California; 3 grandchildren, Fred Franklin of Grangeville, Shellie Brougher of El Dorado Hills, California, and Glenda Azevedo of Folsom, California, as well as 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands; and a grandson, Vance Zink.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery.

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

Michael J. Godawa, 36

Michael James Godawa, age 36, born and raised in Grangeville to James and Kathy Godawa, went home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 11, 2008, at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane as a result of a logging accident.

Mike was a loving husband to Michelle; a devoted father to Hayden, Ray, Kate, Joe and Ben; a wonderful son to Kathy, and an integral part to the whole Godawa family.

Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in it. He began logging at the age of 17 and although he loved the profession, his true passion was leading others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Mike fulfilled the calling that the Lord put on his life while pastoring at Trinity Lutheran Church from 2002-2005 and continued working in that calling by loving and ministering to all those he came into contact with. Mike had a huge heart and was always giving to those serving the Lord. Hid generosity was lavished upon those in the mission field as well as those here at home.

Mike owned and operated Faith Hauling and Excavation from 2005-2008.

We were all blessed to have known Mike, and although our hearts ache, we know, without a doubt, that he is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.

Mike is survived by his best friend and wife, Michelle; children Hayden, Ray, Kate, Joe and Ben; his mother, Kathy Godawa; a brother, Jeff Godawa; grandmother Marge Burkenbine, and loving family members and friends to numerous to list.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 11:30 a.m., at the Grangeville Christian Church. Burial will follow at Mount Idaho Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for the family has been established at Centennial Evangelical Free Church in Grangeville.

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

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

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.