Obituaries Dec. 31

HANNAH JONES

Hannah (Momma) Jones, 91, died Dec. 16, 2015, in Spokane. She was born in Feb. 1924 on the Marydale Plantation in Saint Joseph, La., and later moved to California. While on a trip to Spokane she met the Rev. Jesse J. Jones, founder of the New Hope Baptist Church. Seven children were born to the marriage. Her husband died in 1961.

Billy Swank of Colfax is one of her children. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 13 great-granchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A home-going celebration was at the Full Gospel Mission in Spokane Monday morning.

LLOYD L. ROHN

Funeral services for Lloyd L. Rohn, age 83, were Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at the Freeze Church north of Potlatch with Pastor Kathy Lee Kramer officiating. Burial followed at the Freeze Cemetery. Potlatch Post # 10300, V. F. W. and a United States Navy provided a military honor guard.

Mr. Rohn died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2015, at his rural Potlatch home from age-related causes.

Born Feb. 11, 1932, near Potlatch, Idaho, to Frank E. and Mary V. (McCown) Rohn, he was raised in the Yellow Dog area between Potlatch and Garfield. He attended schools in Potlatch and Garfield and graduated from Garfield High School in 1950. He enlisted in the Navy in March of 1951 and served on the USS Paricutin, an ammunition ship, during the Korean War. After two years overseas, he was honorably discharged as a machinist mate second class in March of 1955.

Lloyd married Janet Dial June 18, 1955, in Garfield. They made their home in the Potlatch area. Lloyd attended Oregon State University in Corvallis and studied industrial arts. He finished his degree at the University of Idaho and taught industrial arts for 31 years for the Potlatch School District until he retired in 1990. His wife Janet was an elementary school teacher in Potlatch for 26 years. Following their retirements, they continued to make their home near Potlatch. Janet died in May of 2012.

Lloyd was a member of Potlatch V.F.W., the Idaho Education Association and the NRA. His hobbies included camping, golfing and woodworking. He loved country music and giving his hand-carved pliers out to family and friends.

Survivors include his three daughters, Kelly Rohn DeWitt, Marsing, Idaho; Kim Thompson (Ted) of Moscow, Idaho, and Jan Smith of Potlatch, Idaho; a brother, Delbert Rohn of Clarkston; two sisters, Phyllis Ownbey of Moscow, and Irene Bain of Potlatch, Idaho; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Freeze Cemetery Beautification Fund, c/o Randy Ownbey, 1276 W. Freeze Road, Potlatch, 83855.

TED RYAN

Ted Ryan, 12-year resident of Dusty, died at his home Dec. 22, 2015, after a long battle with congestive heart failure. He was 84.

At his request, no service has been planned. Later this year, the family will gather to bury Ted and Marilyn’s ashes at the family plot near Sedro-Woolley.

Born on a farm outside of Sedro-Woolley, he was raised there by his mother and grandmother. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a Hospital Corpsman during the Korean War. After his discharge, he worked in logging outside of Sedro-Woolley for a few years, then married Marilyn Vincent and they moved their young family to Alaska in 1959. He worked for the local school district in facilities maintenance for many years and later worked as a welder and heavy equipment mechanic. Before retirement, he was the “go-to guy” in a hardware and furniture store.

Ted and Marilyn raised five children and took in four teenage nieces and nephews. They built a house on homestead property and enjoyed a self-sufficient lifestyle. He loved fishing the Alaskan waters on a series of boats and fall hunting trips. He was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and served as an elder and trustee at church for many years.

When Marilyn’s health declined, they moved from Alaska back to Washington, settling in Longview for a few years. When Marilyn passed away, Ted moved to Dusty with his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Laura Ryan. He enjoyed the work of shoring up the old barn, mowing meadows and trimming trees and tinkering on old cars in the shop.

He was an active member of the Country Bible Church for several years until his health declined.

Ted's wife Marilyn preceded him in death. He leaves five children, Laurie and Ruth, both of Alaska; Jim (Laura) of Dusty; Tim (Carolee) of North Carolina, and Robert of Portland, Ore; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

MICHAEL R. TAUFEN

Michael Robert Taufen, 62, Lewiston, died Dec. 25, 2015, after a massive heart attack. A graveside funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at the Uniontown Community Cemetery with a potluck to follow at the community building. The family will greet friends at a visitation on Sunday, Jan. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman.

Born Aug. 24, 1953, in Pullman to Robert and Margaret (Mertens) Taufen, he grew up in the Uniontown area where his parents farmed and attended Colton High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and served four years before being honorably discharged. After he returned stateside, he met Penny McArthur and the couple married April 15, 1978. They lived in Othello, Richland and Walla Walla before settling down in Lewiston. They later separated.

A mechanic and truck driver, he enjoyed fishing and camping and spending time with his family.

Surviving are his mother, Margaret Taufen, Spokane; children, Catrina Ritter of Albion, Crystal Taufen of Uniontown, Robert Taufen of Spokane and Caleb Taufen of Lewiston; five step-children, Noah, Amarea, Shyann, Micah and Rhyan; siblings Mary Taufen-Burcham, Walt Taufen, Cathrine Reisenauer, Otto Taufen and Betsy Shepard, and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Albion Fire Department or to a charity of the donor's choice.

BETTY PASSIG THOMPSON

A funeral service for Betty Passig Thompson, 85, retired registered nurse who resided in Palouse for 60 years, will be Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, 11 a.m. at the Palouse Federated Church with the Rev. Corey Laughary officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Mrs. Thompson died at her home Dec. 26, 2015.

Born June 15, 1929, in Lake Benton, Minn., to Carl and Hulda Passig, she graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., and attended McKennan Hospital Presentation School of Nursing where she earned her degree as a registered nurse. She moved to Seattle in 1950 and began her long career in nursing. She met and married Teddy Thompson, and they made their home in Palouse for 60 years. Betty was a private nurse and worked at St. Ignatius and then at Whitman Community Hospital in Colfax until she retired in 1989.

An avid gardener, she won many awards for her flowers and vegetables. She also received awards for her canning and pie baking at the Palouse Empire Fair.

Betty enjoyed fishing, playing cards, watching Lawrence Welk, going to the casinos and spending time with her family. She was an avid sports fan and a member of Lady Jaycees and Roundtable Club.

Surviving are daughters Billie Johnstone of Spokane and Joanne Thompson at the family home in Palouse; one grandson, and one great-granddaughter. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and by her son Thomas Charles.

Memorial contributions suggested to go to Palouse Roundtable, in care of Karen Huber, 465 W. Church Street, Palouse, 99161, Palouse EMS, or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Box 2472, Spokane, 99210-2472.