Obituaries Oct. 1, 2015

MATTHEW RAY COOK

Matthew Ray Cook, 60, LaCrosse, died at his home Sept. 28, 2015.

At his request a service will not be conducted.

Born in Lewiston, Idaho, Nov. 5, 1954, to George and Sharon (Miles) Cook, he grew up in Asotin and completed his mechanic degree at LCSC. He met Katherina McGuire during his college years and they dated for five years before being married in Mesa, Ariz., Nov. 4, 1983.

They raised their children in Clarkston while he worked as a mechanic from home.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends as well as fishing.

They moved to LaCrosse in 2009.

Surviving are his wife, at the family home in LaCrosse, his children, 23 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, five brothers and one sister.

Memorial contributionscan be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences: http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

JOHN L. MILBERT

A memorial funeral mass for John L. Milbert, 75, Potlatch, will be Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at 11 a.m.

at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Potlatch with Father Chase Hasenoehrl officiating.

A funeral vigil will be Thursday evening at the church at 7 p.m.

Potlatch VFW Post and a US Navy honor team will participate.

Mr. Milbert died Friday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2015, at his home.

Born Oct. 12, 1939, in Spokane to Frank and Cora Adams Milbert, he attended the Potlatch schools and graduated from the Potlatch High School in 1957.

He married Wanda Mae Riedner Jan. 6, 1960, at Colton, and they made their home at Potlatch.

He served in the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam War.

He was discharged May 23, 1977, as a Chief Petty Officer after serving nearly 21 years in the Navy.

John attended Washington State University and received a degree in fine arts.

He later was employed at WSU as a computer maintenance technician from 1984 to 2001 when he retired due to health reasons.

He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Potlatch.

John also taught hunter safety education at Potlatch for 12 years.

John enjoyed hunting, crafting jewelry, garnet collecting and organizing gun shows at Potlatch.

John also served as commissioner for the Potlatch Fire Department and was a volunteer fireman for 21 years.

He was a member of the Potlatch VFW, Knights of Columbus and Navy Nuclear Weapons Association.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Potlatch; one son, Frank M. Milbert, Moscow; four daughters, Michele Foasberg, Nevada City, Calif .; Laurie Bass, Lewiston; Sandra Cochrane (Kevin) and Christine Milbert, both of Potlatch; 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the Potlatch Fire Department or to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Potlatch.

VELDA ELAINE PETERSON

Velda Elaine Peterson, 91, life-long resident of Palouse, died at her home in Palouse Sept. 24, 2015, nine days after suffering a heart attack.

A family graveside service will be at 11 a.m.

Oct. 3, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Palouse with the the Rev. Dave Caudle officiating.

Born May 31, 1924, to Cloyd and Arminta Howard Boone, she grew up in Palouse where she graduated from high school with the class of 1941.

She married Robert (Bud) Peterson July 19, 1943, and they made their family home in Palouse where she resided for the rest of her life.

Mr. Peterson died in 1991.

An avid homemaker, she enjoyed following Palouse School sports and had a special place in her heart for animals.

Later in life she took great pride in her family and the upkeep of her home and yard.

This past summer she was able to grow onions, potatoes and corn.

Surviving are her son, Rod Peterson, Palouse; daughter Nancy Persons, Colfax; two sisters, Betty Burden, Palouse, and Ariel O’Reilly, Pullman; a granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters.

She was also preceded in death by an infant granddaughter.

Memorial contributions can be made to Palouse EMS, P.O. Box 250, Palouse, 99161