Lafayette J.
Holbrook, 60
Grangeville, Idaho
Lafayette "Lafe" J. Holbrook, 60, of Grangeville passed away on Dec. 30, 2011, at Syringa Hospital in Grangeville. He died from complications due to cancer treatment and a heart attack.
He was born on Aug. 7, 1951, in Soda Springs, Idaho, to Lafayette, Jr., and Donna Clark Banks Holbrook. Lafe was raised in Chesterfield, Idaho, and was the oldest of five sons. He attended school in Bancroft, Idaho, and North Gem and graduated in 1970 as salutatorian. He was kept busy with work on the ranch, but was also given the opportunity to be involved in hunting, fishing and competitive sports. Later, as a freshman in high school, he hurt his knee and was kept from participating in high school sports. After graduating from his school he attended the University of Idaho for a year and lived at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Lafe went to work at the family ranch in Chesterfield and Bruneau before being married. He then went to work for Simplot Mining Co. at the Conda mining site and then the Smokey Canyon mining site for many years as a heavy equipment operator. While working at the Conda mining site, he lived in Bancroft, Idaho, and then later moved to Star Valley, Wyoming, to work at the Smokey Canyon mining site. He semiretired to Riggins and later to Grangeville.
Lafe's first marriage was to Denise Waller Munsee and from it came three children, Boe Lafayette, James Lee and Robert Anthony. In 1991 Lafe married Deborah, and his family grew with the addition of Deborah's three children, Kelly Frasier, Marcy Belcoe and Kristina Revello.
He is survived by his wife; his sons, Boe, James, Robert and Kelly; daughters, Marcy and Kristina; brothers, Marc Leon of Salt Lake City, Utah, Todd C. of Bancroft, Idaho, Tracey B. of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jonathan Ward of Aubrey, Calif.; as well as 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His mother-in-law, Wilma Goucher also survives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Loren Raymond.
A memorial service will be held in May in Chesterfield, Idaho. Cremation is under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to Blackmerfuneralhome.com.
Larry L.
Ruzicka, 73
Grangeville, Idaho
Larry L. Ruzicka of Grangeville, 73, died on Jan. 4, 2012, following a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Larry L. Ruzicka, was born Aug. 2, 1938, in Cottonwood, Idaho, to Joseph and Matilda Ruzicka. Larry was raised on the prairie, and when he was 6 his family moved into Grangeville.
Larry graduated from Grangeville High School in 1956 and Larry and Bettie Schwarzer were married on July 26, 1958. They had four children, Phillip, Denise, Cheryl and Jon. Larry worked at various jobs in Grangeville. He began driving the Grangeville-New Meadows Auto Freight route in 1959. He continued there until he began working for Idaho County Light and Power Cooperative in 1966. Larry retired from ICL&P in 1998 as the operations superintendent.
Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bettie of Grangeville; his four children and their spouses, Phillip and Kathy Ruzicka of Grangeville, Denise and Barry Blevins of Moscow, Cheryl and Todd Simons of Yoncalla, Ore., and Jon and Michelle Ruzicka of Boise; eight grandchildren, Ryan and Randi Ruzicka of Boise, Michael Ruzicka of Lewiston, Aubrie Blevins of Moscow, Megan, Benjamin and Eric Simons of Yoncalla, Ore., Reece and Adam Ruzicka of Boise and Tally Lovell of Grangeville; four great-grandchildren, Mikayla Ruzicka, Brady Ruzicka, Teighan Ruzicka and Timothy Weeks.
Services were Saturday, Jan. 7, with a rosary and a funeral mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com.
To have been teased by Larry was to have been liked by Larry.
Phyllis Darlene
Thompson, 71
Elk City, Idaho
Phyllis Darlene Thompson, 71, of Elk City, Idaho, passed away Dec. 31, 2011, at Syringa Hospital in Grangeville.
She was born April 30, 1940, in Boise, Idaho, a daughter of Margaret and Fred Young. She lived in Meridian, Idaho, and then at age 11 they moved to Kooskia where she met Rodney Thompson and they were married in 1957. They moved to Elk City where they raised their six children. From the six children there were 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Phyllis worked for the Forest Service planting trees and also worked as a bartender and cook.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, camping, yard work, reading and various crafts. In 2001 Phyllis survived a massive stroke which limited her mobility but enjoyed visits from her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson and a son-in-law. She is survived by her husband, Rodney; her children, Ron, Pam Bryant, Jim, Deb Nitz, Carman Chlebowski and Bill; her brother, Sonny Young; and sisters, Mary Walker and Winiferd Park.
Cremation is under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.
Kenneth E.
Molin, 76
Grangeville, Idaho
Kenneth E. Molin, 76, a Grangeville resident, died at his Grangeville residence on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Silver Dollar Bar and Cafe in White Bird, Idaho, from 1-4 p.m. Vassar-Rawls Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.
Sarah Catherine
Kitch-Stamper, 96
Clarkston, Wash.
Sarah Catherine Kitch-Stamper, 96, was born to Mable May and James Robert Kitch Aug. 6, 1915, in Ocanto, Neb. Sarah resided in Colorado during her childhood years, in or around the Denver area.
As a young woman, Sarah traveled to California with a girlfriend where she met the only love of her life, Earl Stamper. Sarah and Earl had two sons, Sam and Clyde, and two daughters, Margaret Ann and Cathy L. Sarah and Earl spent their early years living in California and Oklahoma. Then in the spring of 1949 they moved to Cambridge, Idaho, with a family of three where Earl worked on a ranch and Sarah worked at the local grocery store.
In the spring of 1952 the family moved to Riggins where Earl worked in the local lumber industry while Sarah worked in local cafes and motel. On Feb. 3, 1957, a daughter, Cathy, was born to Sarah and Earl in Council, Idaho. Cathy was brought home to Riggins. Sarah lost Earl on Thanksgiving day in 1970. Sarah and Cathy lived in Riggins until Cathy graduated and later married. Then Sarah spent "cherished" summers working on Mackinac Island, Mich. Sarah then spent time in Palmer, Alaska, and Gig Harbor, Wash., watching over grandkids she loved.
In 2001 Sarah moved from Gig Harbor to Clarkston to be near her daughter, Margaret and her sons. Sarah's favorite times were her summers on Mackinac Island, watching her grandchildren, sewing clothes, making quilts and needle point arrangements. She has nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held Saturday at Jehovah's Witnesses, 901 Frost Lane in Clarkston.
William (Bill)
Dalton Munger, 69
Cottonwood, Idaho
William (Bill) Dalton Munger passed away Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. He was born on Nov. 7, 1942, to Emily Louise and Claude Dalton Munger in Ventura, Calif. He grew up there and became an electrician, following his father's footsteps.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Christine Annette Kemp, on Feb. 29, 1964. From then on life became one big adventure for the two of them. Bill had itchy feet and Chris was happy to follow. They lived on a ranch in northern California, moved back to southern California, then landed in Fallon, Nev., for the next nine years, then it was off to northern Idaho where he lived out the rest of his life.
Bill was not only an electrician, but really a "Jack-of-all-Trades." There wasn't anything he couldn't fix or build. Bill was also well known for his generosity and humility. He would share his time and talents with anyone who would ask, but never acted like he "knew-it-all." He was also a fantastic mechanic and fabricator. He could be seen driving his yellow hot rod around Cottonwood which he fabricated from a few rusty pieces of metal from an old Model A.
He was preceded in death by his father, C. Dalton Munger, and a beloved grandchild, Hope Munger. Bill is survived by his wife, Chris of 47 years; his mother, Emy Lou Munger of Ventura, Calif.; his two sisters, Diana Wigton of Ventura, Calif., and Patty Fry of Ojai, Calif.; his children, Jennie and Brent Goeckner of Craigmont and Ben and Maureen Munger of Cottonwood, Idaho. He was adored by his eight surviving grandchildren, Kace, Wes and Maria Munger and Lance, Lindsey, Aaron, Wade and Monica Goeckner. Bill will be missed greatly by his family and by all who knew him.
A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 7. A private family burial followed at the Keuterville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, the family asks that anyone who knew Bill, please do something special for a neighbor or friend.
Uhlorn Funeral Home, Cottonwood, was in charge of arrangements.
Maurine I.
Todhunter, 93
Lewiston, Idaho
Maurine I. Todhunter, 93, longtime Grangeville resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Lewiston, Idaho.
She was born on Sept. 7, 1918, in Brogan, Ore., to Phil and Bernice (Woodward) Edwards. She grew up and attended elementary school in Brogan and graduated from Vale High School.
She married Arleigh M. Todhunter on Sept. 6, 1939, and they resided in the Ontario, Ore./Weiser, Idaho, area until the mid 1940s at which time they moved to Grangeville, Idaho. Arleigh passed away in 1982 and she continued to live at their home on North D Street until 2007. She then moved to Lewiston to be near her family. She babysat many children during her years in Grangeville and had many friends.
She is survived by her son, Manuel E. Todhunter and wife, Shirley; grandsons, Mike Todhunter and Jeff Todhunter and wife, Amanda; great-grandson, Chase Todhunter (all of Lewiston; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jean and Jerry Martin of Liberty Lake, Wash., and Darlene and Glen Altman of Lewiston, Helen Todhunter of Meridian, James Booth of Weiser, Carl Frazier of Lewiston; and her beloved cousin, Owen and Phyllis Crawley of Fruitland, Idaho; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arleigh, and her brother, Jack D. Edwards.
At her adamant request, no service will be held. Her body will be cremated and the remains will be inurned in Grangeville with her husband's. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be given to Animal Ark, P.O. Box 412 , Grangeville, ID 83530.
She never met a cat she didn't like.
Joe E. "Billy"
Byrd, 89
Grangeville, Idaho
Joe E. "Billy" Byrd, 89, of Grangeville, Idaho, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at his home in Grangeville. Services are
pending with Blackmer Funeral Home.
James Mackie
Sechler, 78
Harpster, Idaho
James Mackie Sechler, 78, of Harpster, Idaho, joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Dec. 17, 2011, after a brief bout with cancer. James was born to Virgil T. and Hazel M. Sechler on Dec. 13, 1933, in Stanley, Kansas. His family moved to the Starlane Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley when Jim was 12 years old. He loved riding his horse on the ranch as a teenager. After graduating from Santa Ynez Valley High School in 1951, Jim joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in November of 1955.
Jim leaves his wife of 57 years, Joy, of Harpster; sons, James Allen, Randall Lee and Russell Louis Sechler, of California; and daughter, Dian Marie Yonkman of Oak Harbor, Wash.; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Virgil, and great-grandson, Elijah Rathbun. He is survived by his mother, Hazel; sister, Patricia Sechler; and his brother, Marion "Bud" Sechler, along with many nieces and nephews, including Jean Nott and Carrie Page of Grangeville.
There was never a person that Jim didn't enjoy being friends with or talking to.
He retired from Bomar Investigations and Security in Santa Maria, Calif., in 2009, where he was a security gate guard at the Guadalupe Dunes Restoration Project. Upon retiring, Jim and Joy moved to a home on the South Fork of the Clearwater River in Harpster, Idaho, where he loved to fish, watch the wildlife and make new friends.
While in Santa Maria, Jim and Joy attended the Santa Maria Vineyard Church and The Gate Vineyard Church.
The family would appreciate contributions being sent to the Syringa Hospital Hospice, 607 West Main, Grangeville, ID 83530 in memory of Jim. They made it possible to honor Jim's wishes to be able to stay at home and be cared for by his family through a most difficult time.
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