Charles Eugene Doty, born to Floyd & Veda (Simmons) Doty, in Lewiston Idaho on January 4, 1930, his brother Richard (Dick) Ira Doty was born in 1937 while living in Cottonwood Idaho. Charles attended Elementary school at the Cottonwood School and the Cramer School, located on Doty Ridge. He graduated from Kamiah High School in 1947. He then enrolled in the Perry Institute Trade School for aircraft mechanics, in Yakima Washington. From 1952-1954 he served in the Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. In 1956 Charles took up flying, finding it to be too expensive of a hobby for him. In 1950 Charles married Violet Leach and divorced in 1954. In 1956 Married Jaqueline (Jackie) Zehner, who died in 1995. Charles and Jackie had 4 daughters, Karen (David) Egersdorf born in 1957, Terri (Dan) Musgrave born in 1958, Shannon (Bob) Neely born in 1959, and Darcy (Larry) Kennedy born in 1965. Charles married Linda Petrick in 1997 and divorced in 1998. He married Ellen (Weaver) Kiele in 2000. Charles’ girls gave him 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Ellens’ 3 Boys added 9 more grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In 1949 to 1959 he worked at Twin Feathers Mill in Kamiah, which was most recently known as Blue North Mill. In 1959 after leaving Twin Feathers Mill, he worked at Clearwater Mills, owned by Troy Lumber Company. Charles set the first planer and helped build the original mill. Troy Lumber Company later sold out to Kamiah Mills in 1965. The mill burned in 1987. Charles helped to design and rebuild the mill as it is today, retiring as maintenance supervisor in 1995. Charles was Past President of the Jaycee’s, PTA, and Past Noble Grand of the Odd Fellow Lodge, charter member of the Kamiah Community Credit Union, Kamiah Chamber of Commerce, Past Commander and Past District Commander of the American Legion. Charles was District 2 Representative for 2 terms and spent 5 years (longer than anyone in the history of Idaho) as President of the Idaho State Fire School. In 1955 there was a meeting in George Mills barber shop to discuss having TV in the Valley. Those in attendance were Charles, Bill Diggs, Gene Kirsh, Evertt Brugs, Cliff Emmert, Don Schoening and Harrold Harwash. George was cutting Harold’s hair at the time. Harold dug in his pocket and gave them $20 to get it started. Donations were solicited from everyone in town and the TV translation station was built. During his years as Jaycee president, the cyclone fence around the school yard was installed, more funds were solicited and the Kamiah Medical Clinic was built. Dr. Cruz was hired to be Kamiah’s doctor, later the building was sold to him. Charles helped with the new football field. Phil Young using his truck and Charles using a truck from Kamiah Mills hauled all of the grass sod from Lapwai. The current football field was built. Don George & Charles were both working for Potlatch Forest Industries. They tried to join the credit union, owned by the Potlatch Company, but were denied because it was Company owned. So Charles and Don instigated to start a new credit union and went to work for Kamiah Mills. When the Kamiah Community Credit Union was formed, Charles was on the first credit committee. There was $50 to loan and they thought that was GREAT, look at it now! Between Christmas and New Years of 1958 the old Sport Shop (now the Hub) burned. That was the start of Charles’s firefighting career. He joined the Department in March of 1959, at that time the department had a 1956 Dodge fire truck, no turnout or SCBA’s, 10 white helmets with a lightning bolt on the front that had been donated from Washington Water Power Company. Charles took over as Chief in 1972, from Marion Smith who went to work for Idaho Department of Lands. In 1974 he helped organize the Kamiah Fire Protection District. An old 1940 Chevy flat bed with a round tank and portable pump was all the Fire District had to use. The city and rural departments were consolidated as one department during his years as chief. The District bought a used pumper truck from the Boise area and a small quick response truck was built in the shop at Kamiah Mills. During this time an ambulance was acquired from the Civil Defense in Boise. The only supplies in it were a GI blanket and a hand stretcher. An old Pontiac Hearse was purchased, rebuilt, and repainted. Kamiah had the first EMT class in the northern part of the state. Don Fortney, Gordon Hawkins, Duane Clopton and Charles were in the first class. In the next few years the department went from one little spot in the city building to taking the entire building for fire and ambulance. In the next few years, the City and Rural Departments bought the old Odd Fellows building next door. Both buildings, fire and Odd Fellow, were torn down and the building of the present EMS Building began. Charles retired from the Fire Department in 2008 after serving 50 years. During the early 70’s Charles operated the roller skating rink at the Legion Hall every Saturday evening and then after a few years added a section on Saturday afternoons. Many kids and adults learned to skate during those years. It was enjoyed by many. Charles and his family did a lot of hunting and fishing. In the Fall of 1946 while hunting on Fog Mountain in the Selway, they were snowed in for 10 days. Many hunting and fishing trips on the Salmon River and Spencer’s Ranch on the Snake River. Starting out with tent camping, pull trailers and finally moved up to a motorhome, which the last one he custom designed on the inside to fit their needs. In 1995 after retiring and needing something to fill his time, Charles ran for Lewis County Commissioner. He was one of the original members for Idaho State IAC Capital Crime Board, Chairman of Clearwater Management Council, President of Rural Conservation and Development and a member of the Mental Health Board for District 2. While on a trip, with tents and 4-wheelers, to McGruder’s Crossing on the upper Selway, a thunderstorm washed out the road in the wilderness, Charles and 5 others couldn’t return home the way that they had come. They had to ride their 4-wheelers out to Darby Montana then on to Hamilton. Spent the night at Lolo Hot Springs and continued down Lolo Pass to Kamiah, 443 miles in total on 4-wheelers. After getting to Kamiah they had to turn around and drive to Red River to retrieve Vehicles and trailers, another 100 miles. Charles has traveled a lot including Germany, Canada, Hawaii, Japan and every state, except Maine, in the USA, including Washington D. C. Another hobby was woodworking/carpentry. Several pen and pencils sets were made and given as gifts. As of 2017 Charles loved going to town on his electric bike that he referred to as his “horse”. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Legion Hall in Kamiah. Private inurnment will take place at Kamiah Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trenary Funeral Home, Kooskia. Family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Kamiah Fire Department in honor Charles.
Obituaries
Roseann C. Trainor
Roseann C. Trainor, 81, of Kooskia, died March 28, 2020, at her home in Kooskia, Idaho. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
I was born in San Rafael, California, on May 30, 1938. My dad was Jose Francisco Rodrigues, a naturalized citizen, who was born on the island of Faiail, Azores. He lived to the age of 97. My mother was Mary Madeline Peters, born in Sausalito, California, to parents from the island of Pico Azores. She lived to the age of 70. I had one sister, Victoria Spaulding, who was 12 years older than me. She spoiled me and I loved every minute. She left us way to early and I miss her every day. Vicky had three children, Jerold Clifford, David Roy (deceased) and Susan Marie Kraushaar Quick. Susan has two children, Kenneth and Lori. I was fortunate to marry Richard L. Trainor who has two wonderful children, Richard L. Trainor, Jr. and Janice L. Hammond. Their respective spouses, Susie (exceptional care-giver) and Zeke, help me get through each day.
Steven Lyle Walker, “Pa”
Steven Lyle Walker “Pa”, 66 Passed away March 23rd, 2020 at Syringa Hospital in Grangeville, ID Steve was born to Jessie Lyle and Phyllis (Gray) Walker in Lewiston, ID on January 26th, 1954. He was raised on the farm, and left home young to serve in the U.S. Army in the early ‘70s. He was stationed in Germany and returned to Idaho after his service. In 1974 he met and married “his Kimmie” Kim Webster. While they started and grew their family, he attended and graduated from LCSC’s Auto Body Mechanics Program. After gaining work experience in and around the area, they moved back to Kooskia. Every day for 35 years they ran “Steve’s Body Shop” together, a shop and business they built from the ground up in 1984. And just like their family, it too continues. They also built their 1st and last log home together on Tahoe Ridge where they finished raising their children. With the arrival of their 1st grandchild they became known as Ma & Pa. Steve had a deep love for classic cars. He loved talking about them, finding them, restoring them, and driving them…especially if the top came down. He also loved guns, antiques, rare, and odd things. Of course, he also enjoyed wheeling and dealing in all of these things. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who looked at the world outside as something new to be discovered. He was always devoted to his family, but a pushover when it came to his grandkids. Pa didn’t mind looking silly if it made the kids laugh, so it worked out well that he was just a grown-up kid himself. He was an easy-going person who was hard to rile, but a sight to behold when he was mad. He was a wonderful husband, awesome dad, dutiful son, trusted friend, loving brother, and an amazing grandpa. He was kind, stubborn, honest, clever, and so much more. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Jesse Lyle Walker. He is survived by his wife Kim Walker of Kooskia; daughter Bridget (RJ) Axtell of Rathdrum, their children Chandler and Stephy; daughter Krissy Walker of Albuquerque, NM, her children Ashleigh and Walker; son Jasun (Ashley) Walker of Kooskia, their children Logun and Mazie; sibling Donna Nash; brother Cliff (Betsy) Walker; sibling Robin Walker; brother Ron “Shorty” (Laura) Walker; brother Scott Walker; sibling Tony Walker, and many more cousins, nieces, nephews, etc. There will be no formal services as Steve’s wishes were to be cremated and then remembered by his family and friends. We will have a gathering sometime this summer when the weather is nice. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. A special thank you from the family to Paul Christianson and Delbert Kolb. There aren’t enough paragraphs to accurately describe a person who is loved and the impact that they have. You just have to be grateful that you had them while you did. All is well.
Helen Jo Brink
Helen Jo Brink of the Kooskia/Kamiah area quietly slipped away, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at the Orofino Care Center. She was born January 5, 1932, to M.A. and Addie Hogue in Hunt County, Texas. Helen was the oldest of five children. Her four sisters included Wanda Cerwenski of Sandpoint, ID., Peggy Coppinger of Hawkins, Texas, Barbara Hogue of Dallas, Texas, and June Middleton of Shady Shores, Texas. Helen had six children; Mike Myers of Kooskia, ID., Jeri Lawson of Spokane, WA., Jim Weirich of Richmond, CA., Joni Weirich of Concord, CA., Charli Bechtold of Kooskia, ID., and Sue Herbst of Fort Myers, FL.. She had 14 grandchildren, 26 greatgrandchildren, 6 great-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was always busy. She worked as a bank teller, owned her own fast food business, cooked in numerous restaurants, cooked in hunting camps, worked in a cedar saw mill, was an apprentice in a wood working shop, spent time living and working in the Cayman Islands, was a member of The Red Hatters and retired working for the U.S. Forest Service. Helen was quite an artist and displayed her artwork at several art shows over the years. Helen married Dale Brink in September of 1999. They loved life. They spent a lot of time camping on the Selway River and were frequently seen 4-wheeling with their dog Keystone and a bottle of Blackberry Wine. Helen was preceded in death by both parents, sister Wanda Cerwenski, daughter Joni Weirich, son Mike Myers, granddaughter Brianna Broncheau, great-granddaughter Viktoreea Parker and husband Dale Brink. Life was always an adventure for Helen….. She will be missed. Family services will be held at a later date. Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is assisting the family.
Helen Marie Lentz
Helen Marie Lentz passed away on March 23, 2020 in Kooskia, Idaho. Marie was born September 1st, 1958 to David and Marjorie Lentz in Portland, Oregon. All of Marie’s school years were spent in Portland. She attended David Douglas high School but didn’t finish. In 1989 she earned a GED at Mt. Hood Community College. In July of 1976 she married Scott Kempton. They had two children together, David and Christina. That marriage ended in divorce. In March of 1979 she married Randy Mossman. They also had two children together, Tyler and Melissa. That marriage also ended in divorce but they remarried within the same year. They remained married until 1990. In 1988 she met Dave Johnson in Tumwater, Washington. That same year they moved the family to Orofino, Idaho. They lived together for 7 years, separating in 1995. From that union Marie gained a stepson, Christopher Johnson, who has always remained in her life. She was again remarried in April 1998 to Aaron Webb. That marriage also ended in divorce in 1999. She didn’t marry again. Marie was an awesome cook. She enjoyed baking for her family and friends. She was famous for her ham gravy and potato salad. She loved to camp, fish, play cards, canning, gambling, singing karaoke, rock hunting, sewing and floating the river. She loved to garden. She had a green thumb and could grow just about anything! She was known to brag about her kids and grandkids to anyone who would listen. Marie had a wild side in her younger years. She liked to ride motorcycles, listen to rock n roll, go to concerts and had several tattoos with plans for many more. She loved to travel. While she never did make it to some of the far off places she dreamed of going, she was able to travel to Arizona several times with her companion, Randy. She had also been to Las Vegas several times. Her family made a trip to the Redwood Forest as a child and she spoke of that trip often. Just weeks before her passing, she finally was able to see the Grand Canyon. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Marjorie Lentz, Brother David Lentz Jr., Sister Susan Reynolds, son Tyler Mossman and grandson Aidan Richardson. She is survived by her son, David Kempton of Portland, Or, daughters Christina (Jabez) Richardson of Kamiah, Id. and Melissa (Jarrod) Carter of Kooskia,Id , stepson Christopher Johnson of Stites,Id, grandson KC Richardson of Lewiston,ID, granddaughter Libby Richardson of Kamiah, grandsons Cole, Anthony and Kaden Carter, all of Kooskia and Mariah Johnson of Stites. We thought of you today. But that is nothing new, we thought of you yesterday and days before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name. Now all we have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part. God has you to keep, we’ll have you in our hearts. There is a memorial fund for Marie Lentz at Freedom Northwest Credit Union in Kamiah. Trenary Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements. There will be services held at a later date.
Nancy E. Bogle
Nancy E. Bogle, 67, of Kamiah, died March 16, 2020, at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino.
There will be a graveside service for Nancy E. Bogle, Friday, March 27, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., at the Kamiah City Cemetery.
Leonard Wassmuth 89, of Grangeville, Idaho
Leonard J. Wassmuth, 89, of Grangeville, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his home, on Thursday, March 12, 2020, surrounded by family. Leonard was born to Clarence (Clem) Wassmuth and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Wassmuth on Aug. 9, 1930, at his home in Greencreek, Idaho, delivered by Dr. Orr. He met the love of his life, Bonnie Goeckner and they married in 1952. They moved to Grangeville in 1959, and began their future together, raising two daughters, Shirley and Sheri. During his lifetime, Leonard farmed, worked at Jordan Motors, Madison Lumber, a farmhand for Edna Bailey, Inland Lumber in Mt. Idaho, then Idapine Mills for 33 years. Leonard and Bonnie purchased and ran Len’s Self Service Laundry from 1972 to 1998. In his spare time, he mowed lawns and enjoyed “puttering” in his garage with woodwork and mechanics. He was always down to go fishing with friends or family. He never missed his Monday and Wednesday “wrastlin” show. Leonard loved spending time with his family, especially grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed going for drives looking and counting all the deer along the way, he enjoyed giving the great-grandkids rides on the lawnmower, he would make numerous trips around the yard with a big smile on his face. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bonnie; three sisters and six brothers. Surviving him are one brother, Tony; sister, Liz; daughters, Shirley (Mike) Alkire, and Sheri Wassmuth; grandchildren: Alicia (Guy) Ellibee, Brian (Nicki) Gortsema, Christi (Adam) Sonnen, Shayla Kaschmitter and Shaydn Wassmuth; great-grandchildren: Brock, Brandon, Bridget (Dusty), Eric, Cole, Cora, Haylee, Lilly McKinley; great-great-grandchildren: Rylie and Remi; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be holding a Graveside Funeral at 11:00 A.M. at Prairie View Cemetery on Friday, March 20, 2020.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.trenaryfuneralhome.com
Kenneth James Tuning
enneth James Tuning passed into the arms of his Savior on March 4, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Corvallis, OR., with heart failure. Ken was born Nov 16, 1967 in Boise, ID. Shortly thereafter, he was adopted by loving parents James and Roberta Tuning. He was joined by two brothers, Nathan Duane, November 22, 1969 and Kevin Miles, November 16, 1972. They lived on a farm at Woodland, ID. Ken learned a variety of skills on the farm and in his dad’s mechanic shop that prepared him to carry out his desire to help others. He attended grade school and high school in Kamiah. After high school, he attended ITT Technical Institute in Boise, ID. to study electrical engineering. Ken joined the Army and graduated from basic training at Fort Benning, GA in 1988. He served this great country in the 3rd Armored Division as a Tank Driver and Mortar Artilleryman while in Germany for two years. Following his military service, he returned to Idaho and worked as a long-haul truck driver and in CB Radio Shops in Kamiah, ID. and Ontario, OR., selling, repairing and installing CB radios. He co-owned the Kamiah CB Radio Shop. He was able to continue his expertise in electronics via Ham radio and was instrumental in starting Ham Radio clubs in the Clearwater area. He was President of Three Rivers Amateur Radio Club and coordinator for the Amateur Radio Emergency Services providing communication between the police, medical personnel, and first responders for search and rescue and safety communications for boat and bike races and for government agencies from Homeland Security to Salvation Army. During that time, he saved lives and brought people together who were lost or couldn’t communicate with loved ones and even played Santa over the radio. Ken held an Amateur Extra Class Ham Radio License and enjoyed conducting the tests for others to become Ham Radio operators. During the 2015 fire at Woodland, Ken’s communication ability and equipment at his house were a great asset for the fire crews for communicating with other firefighters in different areas where normal radio signals were inaccessible. The firefighters parked two water tankers and crews there to protect his home and property because it was so important to them. Ken married Linda Tuning in 1993 and they later divorced. Ken began a relationship with Korina Vermilya in 2001 and parted after ten years. In late 2019 Ken met Elisa Martel and they became engaged shortly thereafter. They shared a dream of helping displaced veterans and by starting an organization called Tuning Veterans Mission to assist them with a variety of needs. Elisa plans to continue to work toward this goal and fulfill this dream for Ken. Family and friends are constantly saying how much Ken enjoyed helping and giving to others. Despite his physically weakened heart, he gave his all to love and care for many friends. Around 2015 he received a Doctor of Religious Studies Degree from World Christianship Ministries and became an ordained minister. He performed several weddings, and many people were blessed by his services and ministries. He truly taught all of us the importance of being thankful and positive and seeing some humor in most any situation. Kenneth is survived by his mother Roberta, brothers Nathan and Kevin, stepchildren Tina Cardosa, David Shorb, and Melinda Rustimier and their families, aunts and uncles Ernie and Diane Tuning, Steve and Gwen Tuning, and Mary (George) Skinner. He was preceded in death by his father James, grandparents Ray and Violet Tuning, grandparents Arden and Hazel George, and Uncle Leetus George, and Aunt Dorothy (Tuning) Grove. A service to honor Kenneth’s life will be held on March 14, 2020, at the Woodland Friends Church, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service and military honors at the Woodland Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to the family expenses or the American Bible Society who give Bibles to service men and women in the military. Arrangements by Trenary Funeral Home, Kooskia, Idaho.
Joyce Eileen (Lytle) Frazier
Joyce Eileen (Lytle) Frazier, 88, of Kamiah, passed away Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation facility from complications of a stroke. Joyce was born April 20, 1931, at Battleridge (family ranch) above Stites to Ernest Jefferson and Grace Mintalu (Gunter) Lytle. She was the sixth child of nine and attended Battleridge schoolhouse and graduated from Stites High School. She attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where she was president of Hays Hall. She graduated from Lewis-Clark Normal School in Lewiston with a degree in elementary education. Joyce worked at Hatwaii Gardens/Gibbs Produce, putting herself through college, and was also employed as assistant house mother/remedial teacher at the North Idaho Children’s Home in 1952. She taught one year as a third grade elementary teacher in Yakima, Wash., from 1954-55; second grade 1955-57 in Pierce; and first and second grade from 1966-67. She worked as a cook’s helper (the position was referred to as “flunky”) for the U.S. Forest Service of Clearwater National Forest at the Musselshell Work Center from 1953-54. Joyce married Darrol Glenn Frazier, of Pierce, on July 30, 1955, and they celebrated 60 years together. They had three children, Denise Manfull, Kelly Frazier and Carla Coon. Joyce taught school at Pierce for several more years, and also worked with the summer seasonal office as a radio dispatcher/secretary and janitorial work at Pierce U.S. Forest Service Work Center. She then transferred to working as a U.S. Forest Service timber scaler, traveling to the local mills for a total of 21 years before retirement. She and Darrol shared 17 years as 4-H leaders, hunting, fishing, canning, picking huckleberries and snowmobiling at their French Mountain and Oregrande Creek cabins. They built a beautiful home near Kamiah, where they gardened, harvested fruit trees, a variety of grapes and entertained family and friends. She and Darrol supported the grandchildren’s school and sporting events. She was a master gardener and enjoyed years judging at the Nez Perce, Lewis, Idaho, Latah and Clearwater county fairs annually. Darrol passed away Dec. 8, 2015, from cancer. They were members of the Kamiah Lutheran Church. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Lloyd and Floyd Lytle, Clinton Lytle, Ernest Lee and Grace Marie Lytle and Elvin Lytle. Surviving siblings are Doris Jones, of Stites, and Arden Lytle (Carol), who lives near Harpster. Joyce is also survived by her three children, Denise (Chris) Manfull, of Orofino, Kelly (Gina) Frazier, of Battleridge, and Carla (Dave) Coon, of Kamiah; grandchildren Nate and Nick Manfull, Matt Coon, Stephan (Alexis) Frazier, Heather (Justin) Stanyeart and Danielle Frazier; great-grandchildren Cassidy and Mya Manfull, Addie Manfull, Devon and Haily Stanyeart and Ethan and Olivia Frazier. In following Joyce’s wishes, cremation has taken place with no services planned. Joyce’s ashes will join Darrol’s at Clearwater Cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Jones and Dr. Ronald L. Sigler and especially her friends and staff at Grangeville Advanced Health and Rehabilitation for their care and compassion. Joyce’s presence with us will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit, vibrant smile and words of encouragement will be remembered forever by family and friends. Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is assisting the family.
Lucille Mary Evans
Lucille Mary Evans passed peacefully away on the 24th of January with her son by her side, she was 93. Lucille had a very kind heart and a smile for everyone. There are many stories about Lucille’s kindness to others. She was born on June 11, 1926 in Washington DC. She spent most of her life in San Diego, California, except for a couple of years living in a Quonset hut on Guam with her husband and two young children in 1947-48. After retirement, she and Ted spent five years travelling the US, Canada and the Northwest Territories in their Airstream before settling in Kamiah. She moved to Martinsburg, West Virginia for a few years to be near her daughter before returning to Idaho. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her granddaughter Adrienne, and her three brothers Bud, George and Rick. She is survived by her daughter Nora (Bob), Son Jon (Vicki), Granddaughters Sharlene (Jesse), Nicole, Shelley, and Jennifer(Seth) and Grandsons Evan (Heidi) and Eric; Sister Jeannette; brothers Don, Bill, Paul, and Larry; great-grandchildren Jonathan, Jace, Jae, Gabby, Aaron, Nora, Ethan, Morgan and Riley; and great-great-grandchildren Adrienne, Trinity, Hailee, and Emma; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Lucille’s life will be held at the Evans residence in Clearwater at 1:00, February 22, 2020. Ted’s auburn haired, blue-eyed (Honey) will be interned with him at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.