GEARY, Alice Vivian (Sutton) (Age 79) 08-02-32 to 01/18/12 Vivian passed away January 18th at Hospice House of Spokane surrounded by her daughters. She was pre-ceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Donald (Jerry) Geary. Survivors include her two brothers of Newport, Washington: Joe (Betty) Sutton and Tom (Leona) Sutton; five daughters: Kathy (Ray) Bligh and Judy (Mike) Scott of Spokane, Sharon Smith of Medical Lake, Nancy Geary of Spokane and Karen (Kelley) Deatherage of Kennewick. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends. Vivian spent most of her life in Newport and Diamond Lake, graduating from Newport High School in 1950. She was primarily a homemaker who also provided caregiving to many relatives over the years. Serving on the Pend Oreille County Election Board and memberships in the Newport Soroptomist Club and St. Anthony's Altar Society were ways she contributed to the community. She and her husband partnered with Bob and Alice Owen in the G&O Fabric Care Center in Newport for 21 years. In the years before retirement she and Jerry enjoyed square dancing, snowmobiling and riding motorcycles. After retiring, they had many great memories of motorhome travels with family and friends. Vivian looked forward to annual winter visits to Yuma, Arizona. Her hobbies included puzzles, reading and crocheting. She loved swimming and listening to music. Providing hospitality to family and friends gave her great pleasure. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life at a later date. Her daughters would like to thank Hospice House of Spokane and all who cared for her and gave support throughout her illness. Donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, Washington, 99210-2215. SHERMAN-KNAPP FUNERAL HOME in NEWPORT, WA is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.
Janice K. Baker (09/12/1940 - 01/09/2012) Our dear loving mother passed peacefully into God's tender care while she slept January 9, 2012. She was born September 12, 1940 to Ervin and Cecile Reiber, in Washtucna, WA. Janice retired from Haskins Steel in 2005 after 33 years of service as their bookkeeper. She enjoyed many activities in life: square dancing, camping, gardening (she loved her roses!), sewing, reading, and cheering for Cougar and Zag basketball. She enjoyed her book club family and lady's dining group very much. Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Jerry Joe Baker, in 2004. She is survived by her son, Gary Baker (Tami) and daughter Jodi Bueckers (Craig Crocker). Grandchildren: Jerry, Ana-Maria, and Dumitra Baker, and Corde (Courtney) Kurtz and Shauna Kurtz. Great-grandchildren, Cayleigh and Cami Kurtz and Abigail Kurtz. Sister- and brother-in-law, Donna and Larry Van Hollebeke and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Janice had a huge, loving heart and was always there for her family and friends and also volunteered for community service organizations. She will be sorely missed as a mother, grandmother, and friend. A visitation will take place on Friday, January 13, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 14, at 12:00 PM at the Riverside/Greenwood Memorial Terrace Mausoleum, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
	BURDEGA, Mike 93 Years of Life Mike Burdega turned 93 on April 9, 2011 and passed away on January 3, 2012. He was born on a farm in Colonsay, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Nick and Margaret Burdega. His family moved to a farm north of Spokane on the edge of Wild Rose Prairie and he graduated from Mead High School with the class of 1937. Mike married Margret Hanna in 1944 and they moved on to Wild Rose Prairie and raised five children: Marny (Lloyd Roberts), Dave (Jan), Kerry (Jim Nimnicht) and Wendy (Tom Stevens) live in the Deer Park area, and Lauri (Larry Sherfey) who live in Kennewick, WA. His sisters are Maria Triplett Sitter and Helen Montgomery. He was a dairy farmer milking over 100 head and farming 440 acres. He was a volunteer firefighter on the prairie. He enjoyed dancing, fishing and having a good time with friends. He has eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mike's memberships include the Wild Rose Methodist Church, Deer Park Eagles, Aerie 3564, Wild Rose Fire Department, Wild Rose Community Center, and the Washington State Dairymens Federation. Graveside Funeral Services and interment honoring Mr. Burdega will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the Wild Rose Prairie Cemetery with Pastor Sue Robinson officiating. A reception for all family and friends will be held at the Deer Park Eagle's Lodge at 3:00 PM following the services. LAUER FUNERAL HOME, DEER PARK, WA (Mike and Margie Burdega were long time active members of Hix N Chix square dance club at West's North Hall.)
	Katie L. Harris-Benson (Age 75) Passed away December 23, 2011. She was born February 15, 1936 in Sweetwater, Texas to Walter Calvin and Vergil Birdie (Stout) Dunlap. She graduated high school in 1954 in Sweetwater. Katie married Jasper Harris in 1954 and they moved to Moses Lake, WA in 1955 and then to Spokane in 1958. She married Gary Benson in July 1990 in Spokane and retired from Safeway in 1994. She was active with Jacks and Jennys Square Dancing Club, loved to travel in their RV and camp and was dedicated to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Gary Benson; sons Marty (Becky) of Spokane, Kirk (Ophelia) of Sweetwater, TX; brother Ernst Dunlap of Sweetwater, TX; grandchildren Kris and Amanda; great-grandchildren Trinity, Tristian and Colt. Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday 10-5 at Heritage with a Funeral Service at 1:00PM Friday, January 6, 2012 at Heritage Chapel.
KROSKE, Billie A. May 16, 1916 - December 25, 2011 Billie A. Kroske died December 25, 2011 at her home at the age of 95. She was born May 16, 1916 in Green Bluff, WA to James and Helen (Farnam) Cannon. Billie grew up and graduated high school in Spokane, WA. She married Arthur Kroske on February 3, 1940 in Spokane, in 1963 they moved to Redmond, OR. While living in Redmond they owned and operated Kroske Glass Shop in Bend and Redmond. They sold the stores in 1973, but Billie continued to work for the new owners until she retired. Billie was a member of Redrock Squares, square dancing club in Redmond, she also enjoyed golfing, sewing, painting and traveling. In June of 2011 she moved to Willow Creek Terrace Assisted Living in Heppner, OR to be closer to family. She was survived by two sons James and Gary, ten grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Kroske, a son Michael, two sisters Charlotte and Mary and a half brother Pat Cannon. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2011 at 1 PM at Redmond Memorial Chapel. Donations can be made to Redmond Senior Center 325 NW Dogwood Ave, Redmond, OR 97756. Please sign our guestbook at www.redmondmemorial.com. REDMOND MEMORIAL CHAPEL, Redmond, OR.
Betty Rider, 90 Posted: Friday, December 30, 2011 12:00 am Elizabeth "Betty" Rider, passed Dec. 22, 2011, in her Wolf Lodge home, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born in the Blackfoot-Fort Hall Area of southeastern Idaho on Aug. 8, 1921, to Claude and Bertha Beasley. Betty was married to her husband, Evan Rider, on Dec. 28, 1940. They moved north to Wolf Lodge in 1951, where they both resided until their death. Betty was employed at Evergreen and Louis' Flower Shops for many years. She received the 4-H Leader of the Year in 1967. Betty was fond of gardening, reading, and handcrafts. She was a member of Mica Flats Grange, Coeurly Q's Square Dance Club, 4-H, Kootenai County Homemakers, and the Kootenai County Cow Belles. Betty is survived by her sister Josephine Chrisler, her sons Rob Rider (Linda) and John Rider (Cathy), her daughters Oly Oare (Chuck) and Merry Ruth Dingman (Kenny), her grandchildren Micheal and Todd Boe, Kari and Anna Dingman, Sharla Wilson, Celia Baldwin, Cassandra Rider, Becky, Amy, Bill and T.J. Rider, and five great-grand children. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Evan, daughter Linda, son Clifford, sister Ruth Taylor, brother Claude Beasley, and her great-granddaughter Julie. The Rider family would like to thank Hospice of North Idaho and Comfort Keepers for all their hard work while taking care of Betty. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of North Idaho (9493 N Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835). Memorial services will be held at a later time. Please visit Betty's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com
	KRELL, Gene M. (Age 80) Passed away Tuesday afternoon at Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane Valley, WA. Gene was born February 16, 1931 near Tekoa, WA to Milton E. and Alma (Ryser) Krell. He attended schools at Latah and Tekoa where he graduated from high school in 1949. Gene married Lorraine Berreth at Tensed, ID on September 6, 1952. Gene served in the United States Army after getting married, and was stationed in France. He was discharged as a Private First Class in December of 1953. Following his military service, the couple settled near Tekoa in 1955, where Gene worked for Norman Hansen on his farm. His wife Lorraine worked at the Tekoa Care Center for 25 years. The couple moved from the farm into Tekoa in 1995. He was a member of the Tekoa Community Church, a 62 year member of the Tekoa Grange, a lifetime member of the Western Dance Association, a lifetime member of the Tekoa Community Fair Assn., a member of the Tekoa Historical Society and the Tekoa Museum, and the Tekoa Senior Citizens. Gene operated the yardage chains for the Tekoa Football Team for many years, and volunteered for the commodities distribution program in Tekoa. He was a 20 gallon blood donor for the blood bank. Gene was an avid antique collector. Survivors include his children, one son, Arnold Krell and his wife Rebecca of Tigard, OR, three daughters, Kathy Repp of Snohomish, WA, Barbara Uehara and her husband Jim of Olympia, WA, and Gayle Stickel and her husband Gary of Spokane, WA; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his siblings Juanita Saterfiel of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Thelma Johnson of Tensed, ID, Geraldine Krell of Spokane, WA, Doloris (Mrs. George) Young of Oakesdale, WA, and Doris Moy of Tekoa, WA; and a special friend Elaine Hunter of Tekoa. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marceen Fish, and Bernita Parker, and a grandson Andrew Krell. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Tekoa Community Church in Tekoa, WA. Pastor Hal Whitman will officiate at the service and burial will follow at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa. Memorial gifts maybe given to the Tekoa Community Church, Box 845, Tekoa, WA, 99033.