Death Notice: Virginia Fern Bergum, 93, The Dalles

Virginia Fern Bergum, age 93, a resident of The Dalles, OR, at The Springs at Mill Creek on September 8, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Donna Lee Ross, 85, The Dalles

Donna Lee Ross, age 85, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at Canyon Rim Assisted Living on September 9, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

Death Notice: Frank Alexander Brown, 76, The Dalles

Frank Alexander Brown, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on September 2, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Gabrielle Adrienne Jacobsen, 100, The Dalles

Gabrielle Adrienne Jacobsen, age 100, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center on August 29, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Pastor Donald “Don” Alban Gibbs, 97, Hood River

Pastor Donald “Don” Alban Gibbs passed away on September 3rd, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington.   Don was born on May 5th, 1929, and was 97 at the time of his passing.   Services at the Parkdale Community Church, where Don had pastored, are pending and will be announced soon. 

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

Obituary: Jim E. Edens, 92, Hood River

Jim E. Edens, a U.S. Army veteran and long-time resident of Hood River, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 92. He was born in Washington County, Arkansas. Jim served in the 82nd Airborne Division and was assigned overseas in Europe. Jim was proud to serve and of the friendships and purpose he found during his service.

After his military service, Jim built a career as a communications engineer with the United Telephone Company in Hood River. Jim also built a home in Hood River with his wife Margaret. He enjoyed living in Oregon and made many friends in the Hood River Valley. Jim always had a smile on his face and time to talk or to lend a helping hand. He will be missed.

Jim is survived by: his brother, Jody of Arkansas; children, James of South Carolina (wife Lisa, Children Paige and Sarah); Kathy of Arkansas (Children Daniel and Joshua); Lisa of Arkansas (Children Stephanie and Christopher); stepchildren, Holly of Oregon (husband, Phil; children Heather and Tyler), Guy of Arizona (wife Shelly, child Andrew); and 13 great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; siblings, Jewel, Emely, Charles, Rubie, and Kennith; and parents Nancy and Jesse. Jim will be remembered for his integrity, loyalty, and steady love.

A small family service is planned in October. In remembrance, donations may be made to the Hood River Meals on Wheels organization through the Senior Center located at 2010 Sterling Place. 

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

Obituary: Don Elmer Kelsey, 95, The Dalles

Don E. Kelsey died August 26, 2026, in The Dalles, Oregon. Born January 1, 1929, in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was the sixth of seven children born to Glen and Viola (Strong) Kelsey.

The family left Wyoming shortly after Don was born, following available work, and lived in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. He lived on his own from the age of 15, finding work as a logger and farm laborer. In December of 1949, he married Evalyn McGuire in Colfax, Washington, and worked there as a farm laborer and then for the highway department. In November of 1950, they moved to The Dalles, where he worked for the highway department and water district. In 1951, they moved to eastern Oregon, where Don worked on McNary Dam.

They returned to The Dalles in early 1953, where they raised their four children, and Don worked for a short time at the Tie Plant and then at The Dalles Dam. In October of that year, he began his electrical apprenticeship. Over the years, he did electrical work in town, as well as on the John Day Dam and eventually in Alaska for nearly two years in the mid 1970’s. Don and Evalyn divorced in 1975.

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In March of 1976, he married Sue Fleishauer in Reno, Nevada, and they moved to Portland. They owned a motel in Portland for a year and a half, but Don continued working in the electrical trade until his retirement in 1991, and they moved to The Dalles. Don built four homes for his family over the years and was known for his large vegetable garden, beautiful flower garden, and a strong work ethic. He loved to travel, fish, and enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

Don is survived by his wife, Sue; children Diane Kelly, deceased (Doug); Linda Quackenbush (Loyal); David (Wanda); and Steven (Martha). Sue’s children, Lynn Godden; Shanda Wolfe and Laura Pannone; 7 grandchildren, Sara Brandon (Ted) and April Huggler; AJ Quackenbush (Ashlie); Carrie, Sam (Kelsey); Scott (Meagan) Kelsey; and Eric Godden. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Alice and Liam Quackenbush and Evalyn (Evie) Kelly. His siblings, Grace, Margaret, Betty, Ted, Thelma, and Paul, predeceased him.

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Death Notice: Bryson Jay Jim, 18, Warm Springs

Bryson Jay Jim, age 18, a resident of Warm Springs, OR, passed away on August 6, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Stephen James Pratt, 32, Madras

Stephen James Pratt, age 32, a resident of Madras, OR, passed away on August 10, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Gary Wayne Kelly, 68, The Dalles

Gary Wayne Kelly, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on August 29, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

Death Notice: Jolene Godoy, 84, The Dalles

Jolene Godoy passed away August 31, 2026, at home in Hood River, Oregon. Jolene was born on September 17, 1941 and was 84 at the time of 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: Randall Mark Green, 71, of The Dalles

Randall Mark Green, age 71, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on August 23, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Samuel Eugene Cobb, 73, Tygh Valley

Samuel Eugene Cobb, age 73, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on August 29, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Jim E. Edens, 92, Hood River

Jim E. Edens passed away on August 26, 2026, at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.   Jim was born on April 8, 1934, and was 92 when he passed away.

Services are pending, with arrangements 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: Larry Wayne Schwartz, 79, Hood River

Larry Wayne Schwartz passed away on August 30, 2026, at home in Hood River, Oregon.   Larry was born on November 20, 1946, and was 79 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

Obituary: Richard Lewis Biggerstaff, 86, Hood River

Richard Lewis Biggerstaff, born in Nebraska on January 13, 1940, peacefully left this world on August 1, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Hood River, Oregon, at age 86, following a series of strokes after several years of declining health. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leitha Biggerstaff, and his siblings, Joanne Biggerstaff Keough and Rodney Biggerstaff.  

Richard, who was known for most of his life as Dick but more recently as Rich, moved with his parents and siblings at an early age to Richland, Washington. He attended Lewis and Clark Elementary, Carmichael Junior High, and graduated in 1958 from Richland’s Columbia High School. He attended CBC, then finished his degree in geology at the University of Washington. He pursued his master’s degree in geological engineering at the University of Idaho.

Rich married his neighborhood girlfriend, Sally Hatcher, June 13, 1964 at Richland Lutheran Church. They had three sons together, Thad in 1969, Chet in 1971, and Matt in 1972.  

His work took the family all over the country, including to Oregon, California, Delaware, Texas, Missouri, and Washington. In 1993, they returned to Richland, where Rich worked for several different contractors at Hanford. In 2003, he and Sally purchased 21 acres outside of Goldendale, Washington. They commuted from Richland on weekends to work on establishing a hobby farm and home in the country. A few years later, when Sally retired from teaching and Rich retired as a geological engineer, they relocated there permanently. Rich then obtained his real estate license, and for several years helped many other people find their homes away from city life. 

Rich was excellent at using his hands. He was a wonderful woodworker, producing everything from small carved items to coffee tables to hunting bows to kayaks. He also was a Mr. Fix It, who was disgruntled if he had to hire someone to do any job he could not do himself.

He is survived by Sally, his wife of 62 years, at their home in Goldendale; son Thad of Yakima; son Chet (and companion, Anne) of Goldendale; son Matt (who has been Rich and Sally‘s helper and caregiver since 2019) at their home in Goldendale. Other survivors include granddaughter Kylee Biggerstaff and a great-granddaughter Khalia Biggerstaff in Federal Way, sisters-in-law Darlene Hatcher Tverberg in Pennsylvania, and Lynn-Marie Hatcher Peashka in Richland, three nieces, five nephews, and 12 great-nieces and nephews. 

Rich loved nature and hiking. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Washington Trails Association, 705 2nd Ave., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104, or online at www.wta.org

Messages of condolence may be sent to 2257 Glenwood Hwy, Goldendale, WA 98620 or smbigger3@gmail.com .

Per his wishes, there will be no services.

Death Notice: Merl Eugene Sanders, 70, Goldendale

Merl Eugene Sanders, age 70, a resident of Goldendale, WA, passed away at Columbia Basin Care Facility on August 5, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Linda Rae Lorenzen, 82, The Dalles

Linda Rae Lorenzen, age 82, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on August 17, 2026. There will be a viewing on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home.

A graveside service will take place at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Obituary: Robert McNary, 90, The Dalles

Robert McNary passed away on August 10, 2026, at Adventist Hospital in The Dalles, Oregon. Bob lived to see his 90th birthday, the first in his immediate family to do so.

Robert Jackson McNary was born May 29, 1936, near Brown City, Michigan. His parents were Howard and Clara Bina McNary. Raised on a farm, he milked cows twice a day and graduated from High School on his 17th birthday. Bob spent two years in the Army, stationed in Berlin, Germany. The country was still recovering from the ravages of World War Two, so Bob became a heavy equipment operator, learning the fine art of dirt moving and road building. After leaving the service, Bob came to Oregon looking for construction work. He found much to do. He worked for a time for the Corps of Engineers and learned dynamite skills while helping complete the Lyle tunnels on Highway 14. In the 1970’s Bob took a job in road construction with J.C. Compton Company from McMinnville, Oregon, and retired from traveling around the countryside in 2000.

Bob married Virginia Turner on July 29, 1963. She was a young widow with two small children to raise. Bob was up for the task. He was a volunteer Scoutmaster, served on various church committees, and served the city of The Dalles on the Landmark Commission. He was often seen volunteering in the booth for the Wasco County Democrats and in the High School looking to register young voters.

Bob loved working outside. He enjoyed his tulip garden that many people viewed while traveling up or down Brewery Grade. He was the master of the hillside.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ginny; their children Dave Turner and wife Paula, Linda Kuciauskas and husband Matthew, Sally McNary Forster and husband Scott; his sister Joice Fredenburgh and her husband David; and his sister-in-law Sandra McNary. Grandson Max Turner, wife Payla, and granddaughter Autumn. He also leaves several nieces and nephews in Michigan and Montana. He was preceded in death by grandson Joseph Kuciauskas.

A Celebration of Bob’s life will be on Friday, August 21st at the First United Methodist Church, 305 East 11th St., The Dalles, Oregon, at 11 a.m. Viewing and visitation will take place at Spencer, Libby and Powell on Thursday, August 20th, from 2-6 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation, 400 East Scenic Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Obituary: Clarence Edward “Bud” Harris, Jr., 90, Hood River

Clarence Edward “Bud” Harris, Jr., age 90, passed away at his Hood River home in the company of his daughters on the evening of August 11, 2026.  Following his birth on August 25, 1935, in Columbus, Kansas, Bud would go on to enjoy many roles throughout his life, including loving husband, devoted father, brother, uncle, grandpa, and dear friend.

Bud’s childhood was one of humble beginnings, and the outdoors was his playground.  He loved to share fond memories of his parents (Clarence Edward Harris, Sr., and Ada Elizabeth Kapple) and his brother (Thomas) as they homesteaded from Kansas to California to Oregon.  His childhood was filled with many moves, but he always found ways to fish, hunt, and roughneck in the wilderness.  The family eventually landed in Grants Pass, Oregon, where they occupied an off-the-grid, one-room log cabin, complete with a “2-holer” out back!

During his junior year of high school, he fell in love with his lifelong partner, Mary Anne Miller, and despite his reputation for shooting squirrels, being a fishing addict, and having a propensity for stealing watermelons, she loved him back!  The two were (according to Bud) attached at the hip from then on.

Not long after graduating from Grants Pass High School, Clarence enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1954, where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, and he was decorated as an expert marksman.  He was such an excellent shooter that he represented the USMC as a member of its military service marksmen team.  It was also during this enlistment that he earned the nickname “Bud,” which stayed with him for his entire life.

The USMC left a lasting impression on him, but Bud would tell you that the greatest event of his life also happened in 1954.  That was when he and Mary eloped to Las Vegas and began their lives as husband and wife.  After separating from active service in 1957, the couple made their way to Oakridge, Oregon, where Bud began work for a private company called Columbia Utilities.  His 47-year telecommunications career took him from self-proclaimed “line-crew grunt” all the way up to General Network Manager for Sprint NW Operations.

Bud’s adult life mirrored his childhood with a few moves and a few challenges, but he and Mary remained grounded by raising a family and constantly enjoying the outdoors together.  They welcomed their first daughter, Cheryl Lee, on March 9, 1954; next would come Laurie Renee on March 5, 1959; and finally, Linda Sue on September 16, 1963.  As a family, they found their greatest joys on quiet lakes, sitting around campfires, playing the fiddle, and pioneer-style cooking.  When he was at home, Bud loved spending time in his shop woodworking, hitting the golf course, shooting trap, and enjoying the good company of family and friends.

After retiring from the phone company in September 1994, Bud’s greatest challenge came when Mary suffered a debilitating stroke in April 1995.  Fiercely loyal to the wife he loved, Bud faithfully stayed by her side as her full-time caregiver until she passed in July 2012.  Despite his heartache, Bud still held tight to his deepest loves--God, family, and his little dog, “Maggie.”

It was during the last few years of Bud’s life that he committed himself deeply to his faith.  In his personal notes, he wrote about rededicating his life and soul to the Lord, and he proudly professed his faith by being baptized in the East Fork of the Hood River at the age of 85.  He remained a faithful member of Wy’East Community Church until his passing.

Bud was preceded in death by his spouse, Mary Harris; parents Clarence and Ada Harris; brother Thomas Harris; and his daughter, Cheryl Lee Paasch.  He is survived by daughters Laurie Crosswhite (Scott) and Linda Massingill (Doug); grandchildren Jenny Crosswhite (Daniel Sandoval), Brian Crosswhite (Melissa), Robert Paasch (Molly), Gary Paasch (Elle), Kyle Massingill, Justin Crosswhite; great-grandchildren Aubri Crosswhite; Austin Crosswhite; Scout Paasch; niece Janay Serlick; nephew Thomas Harris, Jr.; and niece Catherine Brown.

A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 28, at Wy’East Community Church, Pine Grove, 2415 Eastside Rd., Hood River, Oregon.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bud’s memory to the “Hearts of Hospice Fund,” through Wy’East Community Church.  Checks and donations can be made out to “WCC” with “Hearts of Hospice” in the memo.

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