Obituaries May 5

BERNITA J. HARP

A graveside service for Bernita J. Harp, 95, former Tekoa area farm woman, was Monday, May 2, at the I.O.O.F. Evergreen Cemetery in Rosalia with the Rev. Kathy Kramer officiating.

Mrs. Harp died April 27, 2016, in Spokane from age-related causes.

Born Feb. 14, 1921, in Benewah County, Idaho, to B. U. and Easter Burris Arp, she started grade school in the one room Andrew Springs County School. The family moved to Latah County near Palouse. During the winters she worked for her room and board at the Baptist Sunday School.

She attended Palouse High School and met her future husband, Gordon Thomas, during her senior year.

He had returned from four years as a Marine with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. They were married and had two children, Connie and Jim Thomas.

They opened Thomas Electric Company in Rosalia and operated the business until his death in 1954. They sold appliances and wired homes and area grain elevators, including General Mills.

In 1955, she married Harry Harp. They farmed in the Seltice area south of Tekoa from 1956 until 1975.

The couple lived in Rocky Point, Idaho, for 10 years and then lived in Tekoa. They moved to Spokane in 2002. They wintered in Arizona and Palm Desert, Calif., from 1970 until 2000.

Bernita was active in the P.T.A., Rebecca Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Pythian Sisters, Pine Creek Club and local bridge clubs.

Survivors include her husband, Harry, Spokane; daughter, Dauriel Delray of Tucson, Ariz .; son, Jim Thomas of Aliso Viejo, Calif .; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial gifts may be given to the I.O.O.F. Evergreen Cemetery in Rosalia.

VIRGINIA M. REPP

Virginia M. Repp, 85, life-long resident of Colfax, died Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax. She had resided at Whitman Health and Rehab for the past several years.

A funeral service is not planned.

Born July 7, 1930, to C. Fay and Phebe Hull Harris, she was raised in Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School with the class of 1948.

She graduated from Washington State University and was employed there for many years as a housekeeper.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Repp, and a son, Bill Repp. She was preceded in death by another son, Daniel Repp.

The family suggests memorial contributions go to Whitman Hospital Auxiliary. Bruning Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For paid obituaries, see Weekly Pages May 5:

Ronald Elvin Brown, 1942-2016