Betty Lou Ward, 95 peacefully departed this world to be with her Lord and Savior on March 8th, 2024.

Betty was born on June 19th, 1928, in La Grande, OR to Earl C. Courtney and Mildred L. Courtney (Murray). She attended school in La Grande where she met her future husband, Ben Ward. Years later she jokingly retold their “Love” story to her children and how she remembered saying she just “hated” those Ward boys. In June of 1945, she had a change of heart, married Ben and spent 57 years together. They were blessed with four children. Betty was a loving mother, homemaker and wife while raising their family in Tygh Valley and Moro.

Betty enjoyed many hours of crafting gifts for family and friends. She loved to read, play games, paint, traveling in their camper and cooking spaghetti and stroganoff were among her specialties. Volksmarches took them on many walking adventures around the Pacific Northwest and Germany.

Betty was a long-time member at the Tygh Valley Methodist Church and later at the Gateway Church in The Dalles.

Betty is survived by her son Dana Ward (Gayle); daughters Kathleen Kirby (Chris) and Julie Carter (Clayton); grandchildren Christopher Ward (Diana), Rebecca Pearson (Andy), Maire Kirby and Sean Kirby (Elizabeth); great grandchildren Cora Kirby.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Ward in June 2002, parents Earl and Mildred Courtney and son Scott Ward in December 2023.

Love is Forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall Saturday April 6th, 2024 at 12:00 pm. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, OR which will be well deserved and appreciated.

Thomas Martin Lexow, 91, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2024 surrounded by the love of family and friends. Tom was a Kansas farm boy, born in Abilene on January 30, 1933 to his parents Clarence and Adele Lexow.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, the love of his life, Virginia Talevich Lexow, his soul mate. They are proud parents of 9 children: Tim, Julie Green, Chris, Andy, Matt (deceased), Mike, Jane, Kate Mall and Anna McClure, and grandparents to 23 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

In 1951 Tom and his parents made a first-time visit to the Pacific Northwest and decided to stay.

Tom’s first job was as deckhand on the Columbia River tugs during that record-breaking frigid winter, hauling munitions from Umatilla to Astoria during the Korean conflict. Tom made engineer quickly when the engine on the tug died as the tug and barge neared the interstate bridge and started drifting. His farm boy time with tractors gave him skills and speed to restart the engine and save the day!

Tom and Virginia married Valentine’s Day 1953. After working several different jobs as they started their family, Tom settled into banking in 1960 at the small town Washougal bank.

Working his way up through years, in 1970 Tom was promoted to open a new branch in Stevenson, Washington. While there he joined the city council and worked with chambers of commerce in the area brainstorming the economy. Tom’s enthusiasm was instrumental in the purchase of the first sternwheeler by the cooperation of those involved. He also contributed to the clean-up and enlarging of the Skamania County Fairgrounds. The work provided jobs for local teens, including some of his.

In 1976, when opening the new White Salmon branch, Tom’s German Kansas roots delighted in the town’s existing Bavarian village theme, which inspired him to enhance the bank’s architectural remodel of the former city hall, complete with a glokenspeil bell tower. He was even able to sponsor a Sister-City Tour to Bingen, Germany. He loved playing his strolling accordion during the Oktoberfest and Mayfest days.

During those years of work and raising a family, weekends were full of repair chores, motorcycles, hikes, camp-outs, fun and church.

By 1980, as the kids grew and were leaving home, Tom felt he could make a career change to share a new message of hope and healing. New life answers he had received and experienced in the face of pains and struggles he had seen and faced along the way. So it was agreed for him to take training to become a chemical dependency counselor through St. Joseph Hospital’s Turnaround Program in Vancouver, Washington. He spent the remainder of his working career there and at Memorial Hospital. Through his fifteen years as counselor, and his dedication to AA, Tom has touched many, many lives throughout the gorge region. That dedication extended to Clark County Jail where he was allowed as a volunteer to bring AA meetings for the first time. The year he retired he received a Governor’s Award for his years’ of service to alcoholics and addicts.

If you ever met Tom, you would know he had a big kind heart, and was driven to share his love for God and message of hope. In addition to his careers and devotion to family, Tom volunteered as boyscout troop master, CCD teacher, camp counselor, and YouthThink advocate. He volunteered at the hospital, drove people to doctor’s appointments, and delivered food for Meals On Wheels. He shared his musical and story-telling talents to cheer up folks in nursing homes. He was an amateur meteorologist and geologist, and the proud airplane pilot of his experimental aircraft called the flutterbug.

The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Columbia Basin of The Dalles where Tom stayed the last several months of his life. Staff took such good care of Tom and became extended family to not only Tom, but to all of his visiting family. Thank you.

A Funeral Mass and Rosary will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles,OR, on Saturday, March 23rd starting at 10:30 am with Internment at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetary, and Luncheon to follow.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.

Douglas Dean Folkers, age 59, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away March 5, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Phyllis Rowena Carter, age 91, a resident of Wishram, WA, Passed away at her home on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Phyllis was born on October 31st, 1923, to Elva and Otis White in Sheridon, WY. She came to Wishram in 1946 with her mother and stepfather Jack Bryon.

Phyllis graduated from Wishram High School. She married William Gary Carter on August 25th, 1952, in Goldendale, WA. They moved to Vancouver, WA a few years later, where they lived for 15 years.

Phyllis worked for Jantzen for several years. She moved back to Wishram in 1974. Phyllis worked for The Dalles Cherry Growers until she retired in 1996.

Phyllis enjoyed gardening, canning, needle crafts, quilting, and sewing after her retirement.

Phyllis is survived by; her children, Mark C and Sandra Carter of Wishram, WA and RoxAnn and Jeff Ringer of The Dalles, OR; grandchildren, Joseph E Spratt, Josh Carter, Jacob and Autunm Ringer; and 4 great grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by; her husband William Gary Carter; children, John, Donald, and Stephanie Carter; grandson, Nicholas Spratt; parents Elva and Jack Bryon; Father, Otis White; brother, Gene Bryon

A private family Graveside Service will be held March 15th, 2024, at 10 am at The Dalles Odd Fellows Cemetery with Reverend Tyler B Kelly officiating.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Helen L. Dixon, January 4th, 1929, in The Dalles Oregon- December 29th, 2023, in Bend Oregon.

Helen was born in The Dalles, Oregon to John and Bessie Martin of Rowena. She graduated from The Dalles High School in 1947. She later Married Raymond Dixon in 1948. Mr. Dixon’s career took her across Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. Helen and Raymond then retired back to Oregon.

Helen spent most of her career in the banking industry.

Helen is survived by her children, Gloria and Jim Dilley of LaPine Oregon, Lee Dixon of Eloy Arizona, Steve and Sharrie Dixon of Keene Texas. Grandchildren Eric and Adam
Schick of California, Great Grandchildren Aiden and Corinna Schick of California. She is also survived by her brother George Martin of Beaverton.

Entombment will be held May 4, 2024, at 11:00 am at Odd Fellows Cemetery The Dalles Oregon.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of her arrangements.

Dwayne Barton Nichols, age 71, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 27th, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.

Alfonso Sanchez, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 27, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Helen Shirley Fountain, age 92 a resident of Portland, OR, passed away February 24th, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of her arrangements.

Sam B Holmes, age 93, a resident of Woodburn, OR, passed away February 24, 2024. A Funeral will be held at St. John’s Baptist Church March 1st, 2024 at 10:30 am with interment to follow at the Grass Valley Cemetery. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Mary Louise Watts died peacefully February 19 at The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles at age 97.

Mary was born September 26, 1926, the first of three children, to David Layton Watts and Marie Schlesser Watts in Hillsboro, OR. She lived there on the family dairy farm until she left to attend Western Oregon State College in Monmouth, OR, where she studied Education.

She taught 2nd and 3rd grade in Arlington, Creswell and Hood River until moving to The Dalles in 1962 where she taught Special Education until her retirement in 1984.

In addition to her long career as an educator, Mary was also a very talented artist and had a life long love of history. She was well versed in local history and had extensively researched and documented her family history. On her mother's side of the family, her research took her to Luxemburg a couple of times tracing the family back to the 1700s. She also researched her father’s side of the family and was very knowledgeable about their struggles among the first settlers to travel by covered wagon across the Applegate Trail to settle in the Willamette Valley in the 1840s.              

During her many years in The Dalles, she was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and numerous other organizations relating to art, education, local history and genealogy. She was an active volunteer in these various organizations.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Elmer. She is survived by her brother, John, and nephew, David, of Princeton, OR, nieces Janice Theodorakis of  Portland, Donna (Earl) Burt of Bremerton, WA, Linda Watts of Burns, OR, Marilyn Watts (Carol Wright) of Ocean Park, WA, and Margaret Mary Watts of Seattle. Also, three great nieces and two great nephews and a great-great niece and nephew.  

A memorial service is planned for Mary on Sunday, March 24 at 2 pm in The Dallas at the Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Chapel, 1100 Kelly Ave. There will also be a funeral mass at St. Matthew’s in Hillsboro (475 SE 3rd Ave) at 1:30 pm on April 6, followed by a graveside ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Dalles Art Center in Mary’s memory.

Gary Grossmiller was born on December 20, 1961, and passed away on February 21st in the Hood River Rehab Center.  He was a 5th generation Arlington Oregon resident.  He is survived by his sister Susan Logan of Vancouver, WA, his niece Gabby (Eddie) Tim and new great nephew, Caleb.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Victoria Wheelhouse and his father, Jake Grossmiller of The Dalles.

Gary was part of the great class of 1980 in Arlington.  He was part of many state championships and even scored a touchdown with one of Mr. Roger’s “special” plays.  He loved football, the Packers were his team.  He also loved music.  He almost graduated from Eastern Oregon with a music degree but was needed to care for his mother at home.  The trumpet was his instrument.  The highlight was playing with Doc Severinson at the band festival.  He also attended Mt. Hood Festival of Jazz many times.

Gary’s true calling came when he was needed to take over running the Happy Canyon Tavern that his grandparents built in 1957, converting it to a pizza parlor.  He ran it for many years with his mother, and then alone since 2007.  Gary loved being part of the Arlington community.  He was a city councilman for over 10 years, also serving on the Tri-County Board.  He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, catching the 2nd largest Wall Eye in the state.  He helped start the Arlington Gun Club, shooting silhouettes and trap.  He was a hard worker until his health went bad.  He was able to cheat death 3 times and spent the last year in Hood River, trying to recuperate.  Gary was always thankful for his town and his friends. 

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of arrangements.

Donald Ray Frazer, age 65, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 21, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Ronald David Hayes, age 66, a resident of Lyle, WA, passed away February 19, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Bruce Alexander Lorenz, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 21, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Brandon K Albin

Born February 12, 2002

Died February 21,2024

Brandon was born to Lindsay and Terry in Portland Oregon. He attended Portland public schools, spent most of his life in Portland, where he was raised by his Grandmother Karen and his Mother Lindsay for most of his life. Brandon graduated from high school in 2019. Brandon was very curious, smart, and funny.  He enjoyed fishing, working on cars, and skateboarding. Brandon also loved to hang out with his pets, friends, and family.

He is survived by Mother Lindsay, stepfather Jose, brothers Anthony & little brother Kevin, and sister Haley

He also leaves behind his uncle's and aunt’s:

David and Grace Williams of Willamina

Dallas and Ionela Collingsworth of Roseburg

Kenny Collingsworth of Willamina

Kevin Collingsworth of Willamina.

Christy Salazar of Willamina

Kataeha Gunder Johnson of Willamina.

Brandon is also survived by his Grandparents:

Karen Hough of Sheridan

Mark Fowler of Sheridan.

Brandon also leaves behind tons of friends and numerous other family members who all loved and cared for him.

Brandon will be loved and missed deeply.

Brandon was proceeded in death by his baby sister Corrina.

 Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements

Willard Hal Moore, age 71, a resident of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away February 15th, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Orville Samuel Sprenger, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 12, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

William Eugene Kasinger, age 80, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away February 9th, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.

Sharon Lee Chard passed on February 6th, 2024 at 90 years old in the old house on Hay Canyon Road with family and friends at her side.  She welcomed the passage to heaven with her wonderful smile and thankfulness for a full life.  Always such a loving mother, sister, Aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother, she included family and friends with her graciousness and will be remembered with fond memories of her in their hearts. She always put others came first and sure everyone was comfortable.  She was happy and enjoyed life and people to the fullest.  She had a great sense of humor down to the last days.

Sharon was born in Klickitat, Washington on September 11, 1933 and moved to Sherman County at the age of three to live with her grandparents, Ed and Elsie Olsen, on their ranch on the breaks of the Deschutes and Columbia rivers with her mother Anna Margaret  Briggs and two sisters Anne Jean and Carol.  They later moved to town in Wasco where Anna married Tom Jacobsen and two little brothers Erling and David were welcomed.  She had many friends and fond memories of growing up in Wasco.

Sharon married Donald Thompson on August 20, 1950 and were blessed with four children who they raised outside of Moro in the house on Hay Canyon Road.  Always involved in the close neighborhood, she enjoyed sewing, playing cards, sports, 4H, Oregon Wheat League and the Presbyterian church Junior Ladies.    She later joined Cascade Presbyterian in Vancouver, Washington and was involved in their quilting group that provided quilts for those in need.

She married Kenneth Chard on March 13,1981 bringing even more family and friends into her life.  She loved baking and became “the bakery department is mine” at Albertsons and learned to use the computer.  Later she also worked in the pearl district as an administrative assistant for a sales Rep company.    She was well known for her annual Christmas Cookie platters with family and friends.   Sewing and quilting were pastimes she enjoyed, with still a few quilts to finish.  Flowers and gardening were another area she excelled at with dahlias and tree lilies always blooming at the house in Wasco.  She only lived in Oregon and Washington but loved to travel to Idaho and California for trips with family and friends.

Sharon is survived by her sister, Carol Olmstead and brother, Erling Jacobsen. Daughters Karen Umemoto and Janice Mellinger (Kevin) Stepson Lance Chard(Sari).  10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Chard, parents Anna  and Tom Jacobsen, sister Anne Jean Howell, brother David Jacobsen, daughter Susan Thompson, son Ronald Thompson, and Great Grandson, Blake  Mellinger.

Graveside Service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery east of Moro on Saturday, March 2nd at 11 am and a Memorial Celebration at Wasco Events Center at 12:30 pm

Memorial Contributions can be made to Sherman County Historical Society, https://www.shermanmuseum.org  or American Cancer Society , https://donate.cancer.org..

Arrangements handled by Spencer, Libby, Powell.

Phyllis Rowena Carter, age 91, a resident of Wishram, WA, passed away February 1st, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.