Obituaries: Jan. 18, 2018

Russell “Butch” William Anderson, passed away, Friday, January 12, 2018 at his home in Colfax. He was 79. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Bruning Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Nelson officiating. Butch will be laid to rest in the Colfax Cemetery.

He was born in Garfield, Washington, October 12, 1938 to George W. and Evelyn Syron Anderson. He lived in Potlatch, Idaho until the third grade and then the family moved to Colfax, Washington. He attended Hamilton Grade School and was a member of the Class of 1957 in Colfax.

Butch served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1961. He was a SeaBee in MCB#9 (Mobile Construction Battalion). He served one tour of duty in Okinawa and two tours in Kodiak, Alaska.

Butch married Polly Parnell in Colfax on January 2, 1960.

They just recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary together.

They lived in Rosalia, Washington for 10 years where Butch worked for the Washington State Transportation Department and later worked for the Feldman Bros.

Tire Shop.

He was also a member of the Rosalia Volunteer Fire Department.

They moved to Colfax in 1972 and farmed in the Onecho area for 10 years before Butch went back to work for the transportation department, retiring from there several years later.

He did custom bulldozer work and road grader work for many years.

He also worked during harvest, driving truck for Mike Nelson.

Butch worked countless hours during the construction of McDonald Park in Colfax.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing in the Snake River and at Dworshak Reservoir. For many years, he and his family camped and fished in Idaho along Charley Creek. Snowmobiling in the Blue Mountains and Laird Park were also enjoyed by the family. One of his favorite parts of this was helping with the trail grooming. Another favorite pastime was having coffee with the “coffee crew” at Rosauers every morning.

Butch is survived by his wife, Polly at home in Colfax; sons, Ben (Charlotte) Anderson of West Richland, Wash., Bill Anderson, Colfax; two granddaughters, Paige and Payton Anderson of West Richland; his sister, Sharon Morton of Star, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ev. The family suggests memorial gifts in his memory go to McDonald Park, c/o Bruning’s, P.O. Box 739, Colfax, WA. 99111. On-line guest book is at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.

William Parker Benson passed away, January 12, 2018. Born June 2, 1942, to Robert and Frances Benson of Colfax, Wash., Bill was the oldest of four children.

Bill grew up on a wheat ranch in Whitman County, Washington, before relocating to the Imperial Valley of California.

He attended Colfax High School and after graduation, the University of Idaho.

He lived in Joshua Tree, Calif., for several years.

Prior to that, he resided in Yucca Valley, Calif., and Brawley, Calif., where he worked in various agricultural enterprises in the Imperial Valley and later became a general and electrical contractor.

He acquired his real estate sales license and worked in the Yucca Valley area as a property manager overseeing several commercial properties for the past several years.

Those who knew Bill were always impressed by his strong work ethic and desire for perfection, which he brought to any and all projects with which he was involved.

A voracious reader, Mr. Benson was a kind, deeply thoughtful gentleman with knowledge and interests in a wide variety of subjects. He was also a great lover of animals especially dogs, which he had many, including their current beautiful “Lady” a black lab with whom he often shared a bowl of ice cream.

He is survived by Claudella Benson, his wife of 47 years; son, Michael; and daughters, Catherine and Laura, from a previous marriage; sisters, Margaret Goodman and Janie Eggers, both residing in Rio Rancho, N.M .; brother, Thomas Benson of Big Bear, Calif .; stepdaughter, Kari Singh; stepsons, Buddy Gray and Tommy Gray, all of Brawley, Calif. He has eight step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with another on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert P. Benson and Frances Benson Sharp.

Bill always conducted himself with remarkable honesty and integrity perhaps overshadowed only by his humility. Never wanting to be the center of attention, at his request no service will be held.

Inez L. Broweleit, 91, a longtime Colfax resident and retired nurse, died Jan. 14, 2018, at Good Samaritan Village in Spokane Valley. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with the arrangements.

A graveside memorial service for Margaret (June) Burrell, 101, will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Farmington this May. She died Dec. 26, 2017, at her home in Spokane.

Born June 15, 1916, in Spokane to Ross and Katherine Rose Patterson, she was raised in Spokane, attended Lewis & Clark and Edwall High schools and moved to Western Washington. She later moved to Maryland and worked in payroll at government offices in Washington, D.C. Following retirement, she lived at Sequim where she lived until moving to Spokane in 1997.

She and Marion (Andy) Burrell were married in 1957 at Olympia. He died May 5, 1999.

A member of the Sequim Seventh-day Adventist church, she enjoyed gardening and traveling. She was accomplished pianist, organist and vocalist.

Survivors include her two daughters, Maxine (John) Solomon, Cheney, and Deanna (Alfred) Schroetlin, Farmington; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Theona Augusta Wiedrich Marsh passed away on January 13, 2018, at the age of 105. Theona was born August 7, 1912, to Simon and Anna Zornes Wiedrich, at the ranch along the Palouse River located near LaCrosse, Washington.

Theona along with her siblings, Earl, Mabel, Murph and Fay were raised on the banks of the Palouse River and attended Rock Creek School. Theona was the last surviving sibling of the Wiedrich family. Her father, Simon, was known for his love of animals and his many bands of sheep that he ranged from Wenatchee into Idaho, taking the ferry across the Snake River. Theona rode a horse to school and learned to swim in the Palouse River.

Theona married Eugene Marsh in September 1928 and they eventually made their home outside of Winona, Washington. Theona and Gene raised three children, Norma, Patricia and Manferd. Theona remained on the family farm until Gene passed away in 1977, and then she moved to LaCrosse. Theona and Gene drove school bus for over 20 years for the Winona and Endicott School District.

Theona loved to travel and saw many different places. She went to Australia, Europe and Canada, and traveled across the U.S. She even rode a mule down the Grand Canyon. She loved to talk about her life with grandpa and the trips they shared together.

Theona celebrated her 105th birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as, friends and family members. Theona is preceded in death by her husband, Gene; her siblings, and her daughter, Patricia. Theona is survived by her children, Norma (William) Bennett, and Manny (Margaret) Marsh; and son-in-law, Henry Norris; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service at the Endicott Cemetery on Friday, January 19, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. There will be a gathering and lunch at the LaCrosse Community Center at 12:00 noon. Please come and share your memories of this very special lady with her family and friends. Bruning Funeral Home is caring for the family. http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Donald C. Schmick, “Mr. Colfax”, died peacefully on January 13, 2018. He was born at home in Endicott, Washington on June 21st, 1922, to C.G. and Hattie (Meineke) Schmick.

Don was the third of seven kids and grew up with his siblings on the family homestead in Endicott where he helped his Dad farm. He was both a good student and a good athlete and after graduating from high school in 1940, he attended Washington State College where he was an active member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and where he met his future wife, Emily June Huffman.

After studying at WSU for three years, Don enlisted in naval officer school and was transferred to midshipmen school at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He received his commission on May 10, 1944 and married Emily June two days later on May 12, 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy and fought in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he finished his service, and was honorably discharged as a full lieutenant.

Don then returned to college, this time at Willamette University where he finished with a bachelors of arts. With WWII and his college days behind him, he and his wife moved back to the Palouse, making their home on a farm outside of Colfax, Washington, where they raised three sons, Douglas Lloyd, Donald Greg, and Paul Conrad.

During his decades in Colfax, Don was not only a dedicated husband and father, but also a devoted member of the community in which he worked and lived.

He started Schmick Insurance Agency, promoted and organized Whitman County Hospital and helped start the Colfax division of Spokane Community College, he planned and coordinated several trips to all parts of the world through the Whitman County Travel Agency.

He also worked with other producers and business men in the area to create the Bank of Whitman.

Throughout it all, he was a life-long supporter of Washington State Athletics, with over 50 years of giving, earning Diamond Donor Status while being an active Alumni and fan.

In addition to these professional activities, Don was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax.

Don is survived by two sons, Greg and Paul Schmick; two sisters, Dorothy Nicely and Lorraine Beardemphl; seven grandchildren; and ten

great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were dearly loved and cherished by him. His wife, Emily June, preceded him in death in 2005 as did his oldest son, Douglas Lloyd, in 2016. Don and his great spirit will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 20th at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax with burial following in the Colfax Cemetery. Don will lie in repose at Bruning Funeral Home, Wednesday through Friday should friends wish to stop by.

Memorial gifts in his memory are suggested to the Whitman Hospital Foundation, 1200 W. Fairview, Colfax, WA. 99111. On-line guest book is at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.

Vickie Kay Thompson, 58, passed away on January 13, 2018, surrounded by those she loved.Vickie was born on October 18, 1959 to Robert Haxton and Velda (McCall) Sheer of Colfax, Wash. and was the youngest of their three children.

After high school, Vickie moved to Spokane, graduated from Kinman Business School and married her first husband, Robb Repp, also of

Colfax, Wash. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters, Amy McHorse and Michelle Higgins.

After moving from Spokane to Seattle, Vickie then set her sights on the beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho as a place to call home. Upon arriving in Sandpoint, she started working at Speedy Auto Glass where she met her second husband, Cory Thompson. She would eventually go on to put her incredible intuition and smart business sense to work as an entrepreneur and part-owner of Specialty Auto Glass, a company she shared with Cory.

Vickie became very actively involved in the Sandpoint running group, the Cardio Junkies and ran several marathons and half marathons,

including the New York Marathon, and the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland. In addition to the running group, Vickie also became an active member of the BNI Sandpoint Business Networking Group and formed many friendships there.

Her other passions included riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle on road trips with Cory, travelling around the United State, and cooking. Vickie was an incredibly strong woman who stood up for what she believed in, and was fiercely loyal to those she loved.

At far too young of an age, Vickie is survived by her two daughters, Amy McHorse (JT McHorse) of Seattle, Wash., and Michelle Higgins (Cass Higgins) of Sandpoint, Idaho; her husband, Cory Thompson; her mother, Velda Sheer of Colfax, Wash .; sister, Julie Lennon (Tom Lennon) of Spokane, Wash .; stepsisters, Darrene Sheer of Koloa, Hawaii, and Joeen Sheer of Sparks, Nev .; grandchildren, Ariana & Sage Higgins, and Jude McHorse; and nephew, Dane Lennon.

Vickie will be welcomed into heaven with a party for the ages by her brother, Phil; her father, Bob; her stepfather, Joe; her stepbrother, Tracy; her stepmother, Marilyn; and many other friends and relatives.

A memorial service will be held for Vickie in mid-February, with details forthcoming. Please visit Vickie’s online memorial at

http://www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.