Obituary: Dianna Mae Martin, 80, The Dalles

Dianna Mae Martin, born Dianna Mae Tiller, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, at the age of 80, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Dianna was spicy, full of life, a little ornery, and unapologetically herself. She was strong-willed, fiercely independent, and extraordinarily hardworking. She was the kind of woman who believed there was always something that needed doing. Sitting still simply wasn’t in her nature. Even near the end of her life, she could be found worrying about the things that mattered to her—sometimes as important as whether someone had remembered to vacuum under the couch.

She was also a storyteller and lifelong explorer of the unexplained. Drawing upon decades of experiences and stories from Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, Dianna wrote The World Is Thinner Here: True Encounters of the Unexplained in the Pacific Northwest and Other Places. The book is a collection of 24 stories about unexplained encounters, strange creatures, ghosts, messages from beyond the dead, unusual lights, and other experiences that challenged the boundaries of what we think we understand about the world.

Perhaps fittingly, as Dianna approached the end of her own life, she told her family that she had seen an angel.

Dianna began her fight with cancer in 1973. She faced it again in 2000 and 2018, and ultimately endured a second battle with lung cancer in 2026. Through every chapter, she remained determined, resilient, and unmistakably Dianna.

Dianna is survived by her life partner, Klindt Kendall; her younger brother, Wayne Tiller; her younger sister, Debbie Johnson; her son, Troy Lee Martin; her daughter, Melissa Wilde; seven beloved grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous family members and friends whose lives are considerably less spicy without her in them.

Dianna worked hard, loved hard, and lived on her own terms. Even as her body began to fail her, her personality remained unmistakably hers. In her final days, when her family asked whether she would come visit them, Dianna assured them that she was already “on her way.”

Her family likes to think that she will arrive exactly as promised—in her dancing shoes.

And because Dianna deserved the last word, she left her family one final recorded farewell, a message they will carry with them forever:

“Adios Amigos.”

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never forgotten.

Death Notice: Wanda Marie Scott, 83, The Dalles

Wanda Marie Scott, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on September 21, 2026.

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

Obituary: Gabrielle A. Jacobsen, 104, The Dalles

Gabrielle A. Jacobsen was born in Freyming, France, on August 7th, 1922, and passed away in The Dalles on August 29th, 2026.  Gaby married Boyd Jacobsen following WWII in Freyming, France, on November 17th, 1945.  Gaby returned with her husband, Boyd, to his hometown in Logan, Utah, and following Boyd’s dental school, they settled in The Dalles, Oregon, in 1951.

Gaby’s claim to fame was her great cooking ability with a flair from her French background.  Late into retirement, Gaby continued to cook every day until moving into Assisted Living at The Springs in The Dalles.

Boyd passed away in The Springs in 2020 at the age of 97.  Gaby continued to live at The Springs Assisted Living, and family visited her in The Dalles at age 100 on August 7th of 2026.  Gaby was sharp and alert on her 100th birthday, although very weak from a recent fall, and passed away weeks later in The Dalles Health & Rehabilitation facility.

Gaby is survived by son Robert of Pleasanton, CA, daughter Patricia Jacobsen McGowan of Santa Barbara, and youngest daughter Kathy Jacobsen Gross of The Dalles.  Gaby also has four grandchildren, of whom Karl Bonner (formerly Eric Gross) also attended Gaby’s 100th Birthday.

At both Boyd’s and Gaby’s request, there will be no Memorial Service, and Gaby’s ashes will be interred at the family gravestone in Odd Fellows Cemetery in The Dalles. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Obituary: Raymond Terry “Butch” Thomas, 62, The Dalles

Raymond Terry “Butch” Thomas, 62, of Dufur, Oregon, passed away on September 15, 2026.

Butch was born on June 23, 1964, in Goldendale, Washington, to Joan Della Brown and Terry Thomas Sr. He grew up in Roosevelt, Washington, and Maupin, Oregon. He spent his adult career working as a rigger in steel construction.

Butch loved riding horses, helping his sons with their projects, and being involved in the lives of his grandchildren. His family will remember the time he gave them and his willingness to lend a hand whenever something needed to be done, as well as being at his grandkids’ events.

He is survived by his sons, Ray (Amanda) Thomas and Justin (Kylie) Thomas, all of Dufur; grandsons Anthony, Brody, and Hank Thomas; granddaughter Austin Thomas; brothers Terry Thomas and John Thomas of Coos Bay; sisters Amy and Lucy of New York; and other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Della Brown, his father, Terry Thomas Sr., and his brother, Eddie Runyon.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Details regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Obituary: Eldon William Eaton, 91, The Dalles

Eldon William Eaton, age 91, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, Oregon.

Eldon was born in Yakima, Washington, to W.A. and Clara Eaton. He was a graduate of Grandview High School. Shortly after graduation, Eldon—affectionately known as “Sonny” to many who knew and loved him—joined the United States Air Force, where he served as an airplane mechanic. During his military career, he served several tours of duty in Vietnam and Thailand and earned numerous commendations for his service.

Eldon remained in the Air Force until a debilitating injury led to his retirement.

In his younger years, Eldon enjoyed riding motorcycles and working on cars. In his later years, he especially enjoyed playing cards with fellow veterans at the Oregon Veterans’ Home. He cherished the friendships and camaraderie he found there.

Eldon will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his son, Daniel Eaton; his sister, Janet Hallman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Oregon Veterans’ Home for the loving care and kindness they gave Sonny.

A military service and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Death Notice: Christa L. Downing, 69, The Dalles

Christa Lynn Downing, age 69, a resident of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2026.

No formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Christa’s memory may make a donation to the Oregon Humane Society in memory of Christa L. Downing:
Oregon Humane Society
In Memory of Christa L. Downing

Death Notice: Robb Alan Frickey, 58, The Dalles

Robb Alan Frickey, age 58, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on September 18, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Eldon William Eaton, 91, The Dalles

Eldon William Eaton, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on September 12, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Harold Leland Stephens, 90, The Dalles

Harold Leland Stephens, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Flagstone Retirement and Assisted Living on September 12, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Lucile Ann Stephens, 91, The Dalles

Lucile Ann Stephens, age 91, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Flagstone Retirement and Assisted Living on September 14, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Andrew Jeoffrey Jorgensen, 65, The Dalles

Andrew Jeoffrey Jorgensen, age 65, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on September 11, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Raymond “Butch” Terry Thomas, 62, The Dalles

Raymond “Butch” Terry Thomas, age 62, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Portland on September 15, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Dianna Mae Martin, 80, The Dalles

Dianna Mae Martin, age 80, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on September 11, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Inez Marie Greer, 93, The Dalles

Inez Marie Greer, age 93, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on September 11, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Gerald Martin Bonn, 88, The Dalles

Gerald Martin Bonn, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on September 10, 2026.

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

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.

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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