Obituary: Alta Nodurft, 83, The Dalles

Alta Nodurft of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away on April 13, 2026.

Alta was born in Lowden, Iowa, to John and Ethel Meyer on May 28, 1942. She graduated from Durant High School in 1960 and, on July 2 of that same year, married the love of her life, Lester Nodurft. Together, they began a life centered on family, commitment, and shared experiences.

In 1961, Alta and Lester moved to The Dalles, where they established their home and raised their family. Following Lester’s retirement, they spent several years in Yuma, Arizona, before returning to The Dalles in 2024.

Alta will be remembered for her devotion to her family and the life she built alongside her husband of 65 years. She is survived by her husband, Lester; daughters, Sally Branham (Ken) and Sharon Darnielle; son, Sid Nodurft (Jennifer); grandchildren, Cody and Shayn Darnielle, and Eugene and Leslie Branham and their spouses; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ethel Meyer, and her brothers, Gale and Bill.

Alta’s legacy lives on in the generations of family she loved so deeply.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Shirley Ann McKinney, 78, Wishram

Shirley Ann McKinney, age 78, a resident of Wishram, WA, passed away at home on April 4, 2026.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Ryan Christopher King, 38, Richland, WA

Ryan Christopher King, age 38, a resident of West Richland, WA, passed away on April 14, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Gayle Raye Ward, 76, The Dalles

Gayle Raye Ward, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Medical Center on March 28, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: David Lawrence Lacock, 83, The Dalles

David Lawrence Lacock, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Columbia Basin Care Facility on April 14, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Florence Mae Child, 83, The Dalles

Florence Mae Child, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Flagstone Retirement and Assisted Living on April 14, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Jack Wallace Franklin, 100, The Dalles

Jack Wallace Franklin, age 100, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Springs at Mill Creek on April 13, 2026.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Christopher Charles Worton, 48, The Dalles

Christopher Charles Worton passed away on April 5, 2026, in The Dalles, Oregon. He was born on September 24, 1977, and was 48 years old at the time of his passing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.

Death Notice: Steven Bell, 68, The Dalles

Steven Bell passed away on April 6, 2026, in The Dalles, Oregon. He was born on October 16, 1957, and was 68 years old at the time of his passing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.

Death Notice: Darrel “Butch” Morris Schmidt, 74, The Dalles

Darrel “Butch” Morris Schmidt, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away in Arizona on March 19, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Barbara Anne Bilyeu, 96, The Dalles

Barbara Anne Bilyeu was born on September 21, 1931, to her mother, Hazel Jean Martin, and her father, Leon Eugene Martin Sr. She had one brother, Leon Eugene Martin Jr. (Bud).

She graduated from The Dalles High School and Clackamas Community College.

Barbara is survived by her five children and their spouses, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Barbara had several different jobs in her life, but what she loved the most was being a mom and grandma, not just her own, but to any child that entered her home. She loved kids, and they loved her.

Barbara loved to garden; her yard and flowers were always beautiful and vibrant. It was a true passion of hers to grow things. She was known for her homemade jams. Her grandchildren loved to help her; it was a special thing for them all. Barbara was a woman of faith, and her favorite Bible story was David and Goliath.

Barbara lived in many places during her lifetime. The Dalles was always a place she loved; it was her hometown. She was born in The Dalles and chose to go back and spend her final time there.

Barbara’s service will be held at Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home on April 18, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Obituary: Ralph George Spring, 86, White Salmon

Ralph George Spring, 86, of White Salmon, Washington, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Ralph was born on October 14, 1939, in Quincy, Adams, Iowa, to Glyde Arthur & Valma Neta Spring. A few years later, they moved to the White Salmon and Bingen area.  Ralph went to school in the White Salmon area.  Ralph met the love of his life, Janice, in 1958.  On August 16 of that year, they got married. Ralph worked at the Railroad for quite a few years; he also worked at the mill in Bingen before starting his own business in 1969, doing plumbing, concrete work, and hanging garage doors. Ralph was in business for 50 years. 

Ralph was known for his kindness, being a hard worker, love, and dedication to his family.  He had a very passionate love for Western shows and movies. I think Dad truly wished he were a cowboy. One of Janice and Ralph's pastimes was going to the coast and watching the tides come in. They also had a love for the outdoors and Huckleberry picking. 

He is survived by his three kids, Robert, Ruth, & Karen, and his brother James.  He is also survived by his 10 grandkids, Dustin, Crystal, Ashley, Nichole, Melissa, Christian, Cheyenne, Christopher, Carsten, and Camille. He is survived by is great grandkids, Blayke, Brooklynn, Ryan, Cruz, Kiba, Piper, Hunter, Whitney, Grayson, Kiah, Cameron, and soon to be Lucas.   He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Arther, Shorty (Nickname), his wife Janice, and his son Glenn.

 Celebration of Life will be on May 23, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Gardner Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gardner Funeral Home (156 NE Church Avenue, White Salmon, Washington). Visit www.GardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for the family.      

Death Notice: Devon Alan Jordon Brown, 30, Tigard

Devon Alan Jordon Brown, age 30, a resident of Tigard, OR, passed away on March 13, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Michael Eldon Denolf, 63, Tygh Valley

Michael Eldon Denolf, age 63, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on March 19, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

Death Notice: William Dell Harris, 72, Arlington

 William Dell Harris, age 72, a resident of Arlington, OR, passed away at his home on April 1, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Christopher Marie Singer, 30, White Salmon

 Christopher Marie Singer, age 30, a resident of White Salmon, WA, passed away on March 18, 2026,

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Gary Ronald VanOrman, 87, The Dalles

Gary Ronald VanOrman, age 87, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on March 26, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

Death Notice: Shauna Lee Massengale, 62, The Dalles

Shauna Lee Massengale, age 62, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Columbia Basin Care Facility on March 6, 2026,.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Russell Dean Jackson, 79, The Dalles

Russell Dean Jackson, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home-The Dalles on March 28, 2026.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Homeis in care of arrangements.

Death Notices: John Michael Herron, 68, The Dalles

John Michael Herron, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at his home on March 31, 2026,

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.