In
this section, we wish to say farewell to our beloved Colville
Tribal Members and send our wishes for health, happiness and
faith to their families.
We welcome memorials about your loved ones and friends who have passed away, including
photographs and poems if you wish. Please send your contributions to: Tribal Tribune
Memorials, P.O. Box 150, Nespelem WA 99155 or Email @
editor.tribune@colvilletribes.com.
Include your name and address on the photographs, funeral cards or other materials you
want returned to you.
Lorraine M. Williams
Lorraine M. Williams (65) of Nespelem died at her home on
Sunday May 22, 2005. She was born in Nespelem on July 24, 1939
to Elijah and Annie (Weibok) Williams. Lorraine was a member
of the Colville Tribe, Catholic Church, Nez Perce Longhouse,
and the American Legion Ladies Auxilary Post 114 in Nespelem.
Lorraine worked as a nurse for Coulee Community Hospital and
retired as a community health representative in May of 1998.
She enjoyed beadwork, craftwork, yarnwork, attending pow-wows
and volunteering with community events. Ms. Williams is
survived by two daughters, Flodell Williams and Deidre Antone
of Rebecca Lake; two sons, Vance Cleveland and Walter Williams
of Nespelem; one brother, LeRoy Williams of Nespelem and one
sister, Donna Williams of Nespelem and eight grandchildren.
Lorraine was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Public wake services were held at the Nez Perce Longhouse on
Tuesday May 24, 2005. A funeral service was held Wednesday May
25, 2005 @8AM from the same location. Interment followed at
the Nez Perce Cemetery. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.
Edward McCraigie
Edward McCraigie was born November 23, 1916 to Angelic Sorimpt
and Pierce McCraigie at Disautel, WA, where he joined his
older brother, Gabrielle Louie. A few years later his brother,
Stanley, joined the family. Like his parents, he was born and
raised on a ranch in the local area.
From first to eighth grade, he went to school at a one-room
schoolhouse located at Disautel. It was at that school that he
learned to speak English. His first language was his native
language. He then was able to interpret for his mother while
she conducted her affairs.
His brothers both preceded him in death, with his older
brother passing away at St. Mary’s Mission Boarding School of
pneumonia; Stanley died in a car wreck, leaving behind eight
children and a wife. His mother passed away as a result of a
fire accident at the age of about 72 and his father died of
old age in 1965.
Eddie started working for the CC Camps at the age of fifteen
to earn money for his school clothes and help with household
expenses. He learned how to operate heavy equipment (cat, as
he called it) which he did for most of his life for various
logging outfits until he retired from driving at the age of
seventy-two. During the lay-off season from logging he would
work in the nearby orchards. For a few years he worked at the
sawmill in Republic during the logging lay-off.
In his younger days, he enjoyed rodeoing because he broke
horses for his family to use as transportation. He learned to
ski because it was a method used to travel to school in the
wintertime when he wasn’t riding his horse. Returning home
from school he would use his horse to pull him up the hill. He
used snowshoes as a method of travel during the winter months
on the ranch. He enjoyed hunting deer and was meticulous about
his hunting methods and equipment. He was very much at home in
the outdoors. He also enjoyed traveling to visit his friends
and relatives during the winter months and participated in
their winter ceremonies. When his grandchildren arrived in his
life he learned to enjoy the pow wow and he traveled with them
to various places to set up camp.
He married Agnes Dick and they had one child, Ernest Dwayne;
they both preceded him in death. Later, he married Esther
Samuels and they had eight children. His wife died in 1968 of
heart problems. His children, Rudy “Toot, Lawrence “Duck”,
Florence and Warren, all preceded him in death. He had
twenty-five grandchildren with seven preceding him in death.
He had thirty-nine great-grandchildren with seven preceding
him in death.
He is survived by his daughter, Lottie Atkins of Nespelem; and
sons, Arnie, Wayne and Rickie of Omak; eighteen grandchildren;
thirty-two great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Nancy
Taylor of Yakima; and brother-in-law, Alec Samuels of Omak.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to
make a person smile. He was friendly to everyone who met him.
He believed in working hard, which he did, and then he liked
to enjoy life on his time-off. He loved the outdoors and the
many activities that brought into his life. He loved his
grandchildren and his great-grandchildren and the time he
spent with them.
He died May 4, 2005 at his daughter’s home in Nespelem where
he had been residing for the past five years.
Rosary services were Friday, May 6, 2005 at the Omak Longhouse
starting at 7 p.m. with Indian Shaker prayers following, then
prayers by the Seven Drum Religion. Funeral services were held
Saturday, May 7, 2005 at the Omak Longhouse starting at 10
a.m. with burial at St. Mary’s Mission Cemetery. A dinner was
served at the Omak Longhouse following the burial services.
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Father Gordon L. Keys, S.J.
Plagued by a variety of cancer-related illnesses in his last
years, Fr. Gordon Keys, 85, died at the Jesuit infirmary on
the campus of Gonzaga University on January 6, 2005.
The rosary and funeral Mass both took place at Jesuit House
Chapel on January 10, 2005. The burial took place the next day
in the Jesuit cemetery at Mount St. Michael, Spokane.
Father Keys was born in Seattle, WA on August 15, 1919, and
after early years in Sausalito, Calif., his family settled in
Portland, Oregon, when he was 10, where he attended a military
academy for boys.
After high school, Fr. Keys attended the University of
Portland, Oregon, and Seattle University, Seattle, WA. Before
reaching graduation, he entered the Novitiate for the Society
of Jesus in Sheridan, Oregon, in 1942. He studied Philosophy
at Mount St. Michael’s in Spokane, WA, and did his regency
teaching at Seattle Preparatory School, Seattle. After his
theology studies at Alma College in California and tertianship
in Port Townsend, WA, he was ordained a priest in Spokane, WA,
on June 18, 1955.
His first priestly responsibility included raising funds for
the fledging Jesuit High School in Portland, and teaching in
Monroe High School, Fairbanks, Alaska. Beginning in 1958, Fr.
Keys spent seven years working in Native American ministry. He
served as Principal and teacher at St. Mary’s Mission in Omak,
WA.
He was then assigned to Sacred Heart Mission in Nespelem, WA,
in September 1962. He immediately started plans to build a new
church after the church was destroyed by fire in 1948. For the
present, a room in the rectory was being used as a church. The
new church was completed and dedicated on March 24, 1964. It
was located near the foot of the hill where the first mission
church stood. The bell tower to the right of the church was
the bell rescued from the fire and the cross. The interior of
the church was done in blond wood, with a brilliant red carpet
down the center aisle and on the altar. The Stations of the
Cross were colorful paintings in a modern style done by Mrs.
Betty Deepers, a former teacher at Coulee Dam High School.
In March 2004, Sacred Heart Mission celebrated its 40th
anniversary. Father Keys was present at the celebration, and
presided at the Anniversary Mass. He was also given a special
plaque of appreciation. A plaque was also given to Mary Mills
of Spokane, who assisted in the planning, fund-raising and
other administration tasks. She was a secretary at Fairchild
Air Force Base, traveling to Nespelem on weekends and during
her vacation. She was also instrumental in bringing Air Force
personnel from Fairchild and Moses Lake Air Force Bases,
during the construction of the new church. A large group of
priests and personnel from the two military bases were present
for the dedication.
Father Keys left the mission as a result of a heart attach
shortly after the dedication. The next three years were spent
teaching English and Religion at Jesuit High School in
Portland before he returned to parish work at St. Luke Parish
in Woodburn, Oregon.
Father Keys spent 30 years as a hospital chaplain in the
Northwest, Providence Hospital, Seattle and St. Vincent’s
Medical Center in Beaverton, Oregon. Even though officially
retired, he went on to serve as Chaplain for the Sisters of
Holy Names Convent at Maryhurst, Oregon, for another 10 years.
In 2000, Father Keys moved to the Regis Jesuit Community in
Spokane. Even there, he would not simply rest, but took as
much weekday and weekend supply work in the area as he could.
His fellow Jesuits remember most his diligence, his happiness
to serve others, and his favorite phrase, “That’s a plus!”
Father Keys had a special love for music, and was in charge of
preparing the music for the Regis community as well as
encouraging music wherever he offered Mass.
Donations in memory of Father Keys may be sent to the Jesuit
Senior Fund, PO Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286.
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Adam H. BearCub Sr.
Adam H. BearCub, Sr., 88, died
Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Coulee Community Hospital. He was
born in Frazer, Mont., to Harvey and Nellie
(Struck-The-Ground) BearCub. He graduated from Chemawa Indian
School in Salem, Ore. He served in the U.S. Army National
Guard during WWII where he was a highly decorated veteran
serving in the South Pacific campaign.
One December 23, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart,
Matilda Socula, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He moved to Nespelem
and worked on the Grand Coulee Dam as a laborer, Biles-Coleman
on the green chain and as a lumber grader. He also worked in
the apple industry for many years. He loved traditional
dancing, stick games, drumming, praying, hunting, fishing,
veterans’ activities, horseback riding and spending time with
his grandchildren. Adam ran numerous fun runs and his
highlight was participating in Bloomsday for the last four
years.
In May 2004, Adam attended the WWII Memorial dedication in
Washington, DC. Mr. BearCub was a well-renowned Golden Age
traditional championship dancer and was a member of the
Assiniboine Sioux Tribe of Ft. Peck, Mont.; Catholic Church,
American Legion Post #114 of Nespelem, WA and was a proud
member of the “The Greatest Generation” (WWII veterans).
Adam is survived by two sons, Adam BearCub, Jr. of Coulee Dam,
Sam BearCub of Elmer City; three daughters, Theresa Elisoff of
Portland, Ore., Charlene BearCub of Nespelem and Minerva
BearCub of Plummer, Idaho; one sister, Viola Woods of
Wolfpoint, Mont.; and numerous grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Mr. BearCub was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Matilda
in 2004; one daughter, Mamie BearCub in 1955; one
granddaughter, Rachael Pakootas in 1988; two grandsons, Terry
Swan in 2000, Ronnie Thomas, Jr. in 2005; and one
great-grandson, Ambrose BearCub in 2004.
Public rosary was held at the Nespelem Community Center on
Thursday April 7, at 6 p.m. Seven Drum, Catholic Mass, and
Military honors took place on Friday, April 8, 2005 at the
Nespelem Community Center. Interment was at Little Nespelem
Cemetery. Strate Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Thank You
I extend a belated Thank You for helping lay my father, Adam
BearCub, Sr., WWII Veteran, to rest. Dad was a member of
Nespelem Unit Post 114, and the Assiniboine/Sioux tribe of Ft.
Peck, Montana, but the Colville Reservation was Dad’s home for
almost 60 years. CCT’s Veteran’s Department, (Lucky Boyd)
helped us defray costs for Dad’s dinner. The generosity of our
community helped stretch minimal resources.
Since January 18, 2004, the BearCub and extended families,
mourn the loss of our beloved Keya, “Grandma Tillie”, and now,
endure the painful homicide investigation of our beloved son,
Ronnie “Sonny” Thomas, Jr., January 12, 2005. “Grampa Adam”
took sick on Easter Sunday, and left us April 2, at 4:10 a.m.
Losing his grandson, Ronnie, weakened Grampa’s already broken
heart.
However difficult, to say good-bye to my folks, Adam & Tillie,
they lived long, rewarding lives. I will honor my parent’s
memories by continuing to practice what they taught me, “Never
forget where you come from. Live our culture & traditions.
Always speak up for your people. Never give up!” Elders leave
us when their bodies get tired. The young should live to be
Elders. In morning vespers, I pray for the physical,
emotional, mental, and spiritual strength, to be a model for
my beloved children and grandchildren in our grieving journey,
and while I seek justice for my son Ronnie’s homicide.
Watching the judicial system manipulated by technicalities and
cowardice is a nightmare no victim’s family deserves. A
greater judge awaits.
Despite my personal journey, I stay attuned to tribal
business. I was grateful to witness change in the wind with
election turnovers. The power of grassroots. Grandma Tillie’s
political adrenalin pumps through me. Grandpa Adam whispers an
old soldier’s courage in my ear. I am impressed with the
activism of my generation to preserve our Natural Resources. A
friend showed me healing medicine plants in abundance. My
daughters, Micki & Shawnee won’t pick berries, dig roots, nor
will my son, Charley, fish or hunt, until our year of mourning
passes. We’ve tasted berries, roots, and salmon gifted by
relatives. Grandfathers defended this land, so we could pick,
dig, fish & hunt to feed our families. The Columbia is our
lifeblood. With right leadership, the Colville Reservation can
be protected, not exploited. Human Resources are important,
too. Qualified employees were terminated. Let the first order
of business for new council “take care of matters at home”.
Last year, I requested the Council Travel Log be printed in
the Tribune. “No more smoke and mirrors in tribal government”.
Besides gathering for times of sorrow, remember, “Unity is
Spirit to strengthen the Colville Confederated Tribes”.
Correect me, if I’m wrong. Lam-lampt.
Charlene BearCub
Was-Way
Moses-Columbia-Assiniboine
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Rachael Ann Sam
Rachael Ann Sam left for the spirit world on the 5th of May
2005 at Deaconess Hospital, Spokane, WA after a five-year
battle with Lupus. She was 24-1/2 years old.
Rachael was born on the Desautel Summit Pass on October 20,
1980 to proud parents Kenneth Dwight Sam and Terri Lee Adolph
who both preceded her in death. Her mother died in October of
1990 from the same illness that took our girl from us. Her
father passed away in March of 1991 just five months after her
mother had left this world. Rachael Ann was raised by her
grandparents Eneas and Theresa Sam at Omak Lake all of her
years. Her grandfather also preceded her in death in July of
1993. Her grandmother, Theresa and her Uncle Gene cared for
her with loving devotion.
Her schooling began at Paschal Sherman Indian School from
Kindergarten through the fourth grade. She finished her grade
school years at Virginia Grange School in Okanogan. She
graduated from high school at Okanogan in 1997. During her
high school years, she was involved with Band and Choir. She
attended a Jazz Competition in Moscow, Idaho. She was also
involved with the FHA and went on a trip to San Diego, CA with
the High School FHA group.
Her biggest dream in life was to become a teacher of her
native language, Salish. She was very fluent when she spoke,
the elders were proud and told her they wished there were more
youth to carry on the tradition. Her hobbies were Lake
fishing, hunting with her uncles, going on drives with her
Uncle Gene and picking wild flowers. She also loved picking
berries and gathering roots with her grandmother. She had a
passion for riding horses and playing basketball. She liked
attending church with her grandmother. She liked to read a lot
and also enjoyed watching the old Classical Movie channel.
Scary movies were also one of her favorites. She liked all
kinds of music from Jazz to Western but mostly traditional
Native music.
She is survived by her grandmother, Theresa Sam; her brothers
– Justine Dwight Sam, Byron Joseph Sam, Lawrence Jacob Chaney,
Colton Jade Seeley; a sister, Stephanie Bar; uncles, Gene,
Gary and Jerry Sam, Vince Porter, Justin Tverberg; aunts,
Patricia Porter, Aunt/Mom Connie Sam Chaney, Dianna Grunlose,
Danielle Flemming; step-mother Lynn Lonnecker, sister-in-law
Heidi Sam, nephew Tyler Eneas Sam, cousins Toshina Marie Sam,
Jaissa Darlene Grunlose, Gerald Kenneth Sam and Randi Rai
Louise Sam.
Funeral services were as follows: Family Rosary was held at
the Theresa Sam residence on Saturday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m.
Rosary was at the Omak Longhouse at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May
8th. Funeral services were at St. Mary’s Mission Catholic
Church at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 9th, 2005. Burial followed
at the Kartar Valley Cemetery. Dinner followed at the Omak
Longhouse. Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel was in charge of
arrangements.
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LeRoy George Zacherle, Sr.
LeRoy Zacherle, Sr. died Sunday, May 15, 2005 at his home in
Malott. LeRoy was born Jan. 8, 1949 to William and Esther
Zacherle, Sr.
He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam
conflict from 1967-1968. LeRoy was an artist, mechanic and
“Jack of all trades”.
LeRoy met Glenda April 6, 1990 and they were married December
24, 1998. LeRoy’s children are Kenneth Ray Zacherle, LeRoy
Zacherle, Jr., Faith Volmer, Rainey Zacherle, Jayleen Zacherle,
Elliot Zacherle, Thomas Zacherle, and Mose Zacherle.
He was preceded in death by his father, William, and his
mother, Esther; sisters, Wilma Mae and Lavonne Reynolds and
son, Kenneth Ray Zacherle.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda at home, LeRoy, Jr., Faith
Volmer, Rainey Zacherle, Jayleen Zacherle, Elliot Zacherle,
Thomas Zacherle, and Mose Zacherle. Kenny has two boys and
LeRoy has two boys, Anthony and Joseph; Faith’s children are
Nickie, Kalaya, Howard and Gavin.
Public Rosary was held on Wednesday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. at
the Omak Longhouse with the funeral held on Thursday, May 19,
at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Mission Catholic Church. Burial at
the Zacherle Cemetery. Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel in
charge of arrangements.
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Jack Adolph Memorial Pool
Tournament
The family of Jack Adolph would like to thank everyone who
supported us on the pool tournament on April 2, 2005 at the
Ketch Pen Tavern. Everyone enjoyed this special day and we had
a great turn out, Jack would have been proud of all the
players.
1st Place – Gene and Sheila Baker, Omak, Gold Black Hills Gold
Eagle
2nd Place – Sonny Redthunder and Dena Berg, Silver Black Hills
Gold Eagle ring plus cash prize.
3rd Place – Henry LaCourse and Rhea Adolph, Memorial Jackets
with eagle plus cash prize.
First eight ball break – Gene Baker $150.00 donated $50.00 for
raffle draw won by DR Michel.
50/50 raffle won by Margie Hutchinson, $456.00
A special thank you to Gary Carden, Butch and Dorothy Burke,
Henry St. Pierre, Marie LaCourse, Joanne Gleason, Diane
Stensgar, and Karen Timentwa for your donations and help. This
will be our second year without Jack, the 17th of June; it is
a sad day for my family. He will always be in our hearts and
memory and we will miss him more than words can express. Thank
you all for your love and support.
Rhea, LaVonne and Virgil
Broken Chain
We little knew that morning,
that God was going to call your name
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone; for
part of us went with you, the
day God called you home.
You left us peaceful
memories, your love is still
our guide; and though we
cannot see you, you are
always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same;
but as God calls us one by
one, the chain will link again.
MEMORIAL
Johnny Sampson
Margaret Sampson Culps
June 18, 2005
Stone Settings at 9:00 a.m.
Yemowat Cemetery
West of Union Gap, WA
Giveaways & Dinner following at Toppenish Creek Longhouse
South of White Swan, WA.
All Relatives & Friends Welcome to attend.
More Info: Roy Culps
Weekdays, 1:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Weekend all day, 509-945-0063
Sophie Nanpooya
MEMORIAL
June 17, 2005
Starting at 11:00 a.m.
Dinner at Noon
Pi-Nee-Waus Community Building, Lapwa ID
Any questions or for more information email:
Teri Jackson or Violet Nanpooya
sophiammorial09@yahoo.com
Barbara Vargas
MEMORIAL
June 25, 2005
Headstone Blessing
at 10:00 a.m.
Seatons Grove Cemetery
Following will be the Memorial at Diana Aiken residence ( 1.5
miles North of Nespelem on Gold Lake Road)
Dinner will be served
and then Giveaway,
Rejoining and Namings.
Everyone is wolcome to
join the family.
The Family of Barbara Vargas
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