Hattie Ann “Toots” Schmidt passed away June 27, 2024 at the age of 93. She was born January 27, 1931 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Toots was the first of five children born to Hattie (Taylor) Howatt and Elmer Howatt. As with most families during the depression, the Howatts struggled. Mom often told of fanning smoke pots in the house to keep mosquitos at bay while her mom cooked.
In 1943 the family moved to Oregon to work in the shipyards in Portland. After living in Portland briefly and then Vanport (before the flood), they moved to Sandy, OR. Toots graduated from Sandy High School in 1948. Shortly thereafter Toots met Morris Schmidt at a dance. They married Oct 16, 1948, six weeks after meeting and settled south of Mosier, OR.
Morris and Toots accumulated property in the area, eventually running a cattle ranch outside of Mosier. The lifestyle included a lot of hard work and cold winters but was infused with a steady stream of family and friends who considered the ranch a getaway and loved spending time with Morris’ stories and Toot’s cooking. Toots often helped buck hay in between making three huge meals for the family and ranch hands (this may explain the unrelenting back pain she suffered later in life.)
After selling most of the ranch in 1969, the Schmidts moved “closer to town”. Here they continued to raise four kids and settled into a much easier lifestyle. Toots worked for a while outside the home, including a stint as an electrician at the Marlette Manufactured Home facility in The Dalles. She perfected her counted cross-stitch, traveled most of the US, collected ironstone china, and spent time with friends at the Elks and Eagles.
Toots is preceded in death by her husband, Morris Schmidt, and her daughter, Beverly Schmidt. She is survived by her children Darrel "Butch" (Audra) Schmidt, Doris Schmidt, Ron (Carina) Schmidt, Maxine Myers, and grandchildren Brooke Schmidt, Chad Schmidt and Gavin Schmidt. Per her wishes the services will be private with a public celebration of life being held in late July.
Juventina Rodriguez Hernandez, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 18, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Elton LeRoy Fadness, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 22, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Darlena “Dee” May Hill, born on April 8, 1940 to Dorothy and Nyle Hill and a life-time resident of The Dalles, OR passed away on June 17, 2024 with her family by her side. Dee attended The Dalles High School where she met Darrell Hill, who became her sweetheart and lifelong partner. The two began their lives as a married couple on June 15, 1958. As they started their love story, everyone who met Dee knew that she had married her best friend as they completed each other.
Over the years of service to the community of City of The Dalles and Wasco County, Dee was often in the front seat of Darrell’s car tossing candy out to children in parades. To say the two were inseparable would be an understatement. As Darrell retired they started to travel around the United States exploring genealogy and fulfilling their love of adventure. Dee and Darrell also loved to take pictures of community events, travels, family and friends.
The Hill family expanded with daughters DeAnna Hill and Debbie Hill (Loomis). As a young family the Hill’s liked to go camping. Dee loved traveling the world with her daughters and visiting grandchildren. Dee and Darrell also opened their home to many children and youth through serving as foster parents for the State child welfare system and youth with disabilities. They served as house parents for the Community Attention Home before the closing in 2005.
Dee worked in office settings as Office Manager, bookkeeper, and personnel manager for several businesses and the City of The Dalles. She was a dedicated public employee and was the first female employee at the city treatment plant. Dee was always blazing a trail for others.
Dee served on The Dalles City Council and was Darrell’s right hand when he ran and was elected Wasco County Sheriff. As Dee states, this cannot just be about her as for over 58 years they were life partners and together they loved and supported each other.
Dee is survived by her daughter DeAnna Hill (Mark), of Anchorage, AK, daughter Debbie Loomis (Brady), Gig Harbor, WA, two sisters, Donna Smith (Richard), Loretta Commander (Jerry), one brother, Joe Hill, four grandchildren, Britney Bass (Matt), Garrett Loomis (Trish), Greyson Loomis (Meressa), Grant Loomis (Amber), and eight great-grandchildren. Dee is preceded in death by her husband Darrell Hill, parents, and three brothers.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Heart of Hospice.
August Jimmy Law, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR and Wishram, WA, passed away June 18, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Chris Robert Flint, age 68, a resident of White Salmon, WA, passed away June 23, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Terry Lawrence Denton, age 78, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 23, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Ryan Russell Woodman, age 37, a resident of Dallesport, WA, passed away June 23, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Patricia Ann (Beatty) Hill passed away peacefully the morning of June 22, 2024 at home with family.
She was born February 5th, 1946 in Bremerton, Washington to Glenn and Alvina (Fehr) Beatty. Her little brother Stephen Glenn joined the family in 1955 after they had moved to The Dalles.
She attended school at St. Mary’s and The Dalles High School, graduating in 1964. She went on to become a beautician, attending The Dalles School of Beauty.
In October of 1964 she met Ron Hill on a blind date and they married the following May. They welcomed a son Jim in 1966 and a daughter Heather in 1973. They were married for 47 years until Ron’s passing in 2013.
Throughout her career, she worked at Cash and Carry, several insurance offices, and finally retired from Columbia River Bank where she made lasting friendships.
She played the piano and loved to sing. Through her school years she was in choir and as an adult she sang for many years with The Cascade Singers. Most recently, she was a member of The Dalles Worship Choir.
Pat was involved in many things throughout her life and was always ready for an adventure. She and Ron enjoyed hiking and camping in the Columbia Gorge. They belonged to the 4-Wheel Drive Club, were active members of the Elks, and they loved to dance.
Her talents and hobbies produced beautiful handmade gifts. She was a natural at sewing and crafting of any kind. The immaculate yard was a passion, and she taught all the grandkids the beauty that comes with love and care.
She is survived by her children James & Joyce Hill, and Heather & AJ Tarnasky; her grandchildren Jakob & Christina Chabot, Jerek Hill, Grace Tarnasky, Josie Hill, and Jack Tarnasky; her great-grandson Dominic Guerrero; bonus grandchildren Chris Castillo, Cassius Castillo, and Cameo Monette; and countless other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron and her brother Steve.
We will remember Pat for her love of golden retrievers and chickens. But also for her quick wit and sense of humor, and for her enormous heart and unconditional acceptance.
Marilyn Dolores Kaufman, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 6, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
DeLinda Florence Koster, age 78, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 18, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Gary Wayne Ragar, 80, of The Dalles, OR, passed away on June 13, 2024, at his home under hospice care. His wife, Brenda, was at his side at the time of his passing.
Gary was born in Green Ridge, MO, to Roy and Amelia Shaw Ragar. He was the youngest in a family of 5 children. He had 2 sisters, Marge Myers & Jean Nace and 2 brothers Lee Roy Ragar and Billy Ragar.
He graduated from Camdenton, Missouri, High School in 1961 and joined the Navy shortly after. While in the Navy he learned welding and served on the USS Hector, a repair ship, from 1961 to 1965. After leaving the service, he used his knowledge of welding to launch his professional career that included sales, management, and business ownership in Kansas and Missouri.
He married Brenda Varner in 1962, and they moved from Long Beach, California, to Missouri in 1965. They raised two daughters, Cheryl and Angela, and had one son, Darren Lee Ragar, who died at birth.
Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Brenda, his oldest daughter, Cheryl Ragar and husband, Joseph Kosarek of The Dalles, youngest daughter, Angela Krause and husband, Chad Krause of The Dalles. He is also survived by his brother, Lee Roy Ragar (Allene) and his sister, Jean Nace (Ryland). Gary leaves two grandchildren, Emily (Matt) Serafin, and Alex (Heather) Kessler, as well as six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marge Myers, and his brother, Billy Ragar.
A memorial service for family and friends of Gary will be held in the Midwest, where he lived most of his life. The service will be held at West Side Event Space, at 101 SW 12th Street, in Oak Grove, Missouri, on Saturday, August 3, 2024, starting at 1:30 in the afternoon. The family will be present to welcome all.
James Allen Davidson, age 61, a resident of Sandy, OR, passed away June 14, 2024. A Graveside Service will be held June 29, 2024 at 11:30 am at the Dufur Cemetery in Dufur, OR with a luncheon to follow at the Dufur Christian Church Fellowship Room. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.
Glenn Lee Shultz, age 84, a resident of Hood River, OR, passed away June 10, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Sheila Marie Jalbert, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 31, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
David Harold Land, age 86, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 6, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites in The Dalles, OR June 22, 2024 at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.
Robert E. Schertenleib, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away June 10, 2024. A Funeral Service and Viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints in The Dalles, OR Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 am. Burial Services will be held at Idlewide Cemetery in Hood River, OR June 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.
Harlan Delmer Olson, age 94, a resident of Sandy, OR, passed away June 4, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
David Henry Brown, age 71, a resident of Moro, OR, passed away June 4, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.
Terrance John Nelson was born September 20th 1942, to Fred and Ella Nelson in Midland Michigan. He graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston Minnesota in 1960 where he met a beautiful classmate named Bette Hovet. Terry and Bette were married on November 30, 1963 and they went on to welcome four children into their lives. They were known to all have red hair including the family dog Mandy. Family, church and community life were always Terry's highest priorities.
Terry had a career path that started in farming and went on to banking, insurance sales, owning a car dealership, and finally owning Brown Roofing Company. His outgoing personality and charm enabled him to find success in all stages of his career and he enjoyed his work.
Terry was involved with many civic organizations through the years. In recent years he enjoyed helping light the Christmas star with "The Fun Group," being active in his church, traveling, father/son fishing trips to Alaska, golfing, socializing in any form including his Thursday night wine group, poker nights and family gatherings. He was very proud of his Norwegian roots and helped coordinate the family's annual lefse making day. He and Bette took the entire family on a trip to Norway in 2022 to explore the fjords and their great grandparents family farm sites.
Terry is survived by his wife of 60 years Bette, daughter Amy Graham (Pat), son Travis Nelson (Katie), daughter Holly Nelson. He was blessed with 6 grandchildren: Sam (Alex), Tyler, Erin (Josh), Maddy (Simon), Colton and Molly and was looking forward to his first great grandchild who is expected to arrive in August. He adored his sister Barbara Jacobsen who resides in Portland. He was preceded in death by his treasured daughter Bridgette.
Terry was larger than life and will be deeply missed by many. He was a people person who found fun and friends wherever he went. Although his is no longer here his kindness and gift of connecting with people will be remembered with a smile.
There will be a private family service at Bethany Lutheran Church followed by a community Celebration of Life at the Civic Auditorium on June 23 from 2-4pm and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Fun Group Christmas Star c/o Tony Foote or Bethany Lutheran Church.