Death Notice: Elsie M Walker, 95, The Dalles

Elsie M Walker, age 95, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on June 5, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Scott Alan Rumsey, 65, White Salmon

Scott Alan Rumsey passed away on June 2nd, 2025, in White Salmon, Washington. Scott was born February 25th, 1960, and was 65 years of age at the time of passing.

Services are pending with arrangements 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: Stephen Michael Burdick, 79, Hood River

Stephen Michael Burdick passed away June 2nd, 2025, at home in Hood River, Oregon. Stephen was born February 24th, 194,6 and was 79 years of age at the time of passing.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Paul Eugene Treanor, 80, The Dalles

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Paul Eugene Treanor, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, and friend. Born on June 13, 1944, in Portland, Oregon, to Odell Richard Treanor and Esther Leona Andrews. Paul spent his early years in Boring, Oregon, until his family moved to Wamic, Oregon. He made a home for his family in Tygh Valley before moving to Salem in 2004.

Paul graduated from Wasco County High School in 1962 and proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1965 to 1971, demonstrating his dedication to his country. Throughout his life, he wore many hats, always working with purpose and pride. He was a rancher, managing 3,500 acres alongside his father and Bill Cody, and a skilled tradesman who built homes in the Wamic area. His career also included roles as a mill worker at Mt. Fir Lumber Company from 1974 to 1989 and as a boiler room operator for the Oregon State Corrections Institution.

More than his many vocations, Paul was a man of deep connection. He was a devoted husband to Jeralee (Graves) Treanor for 27 years and the father of five children: Melissa Pease, Michael Barrett (Tanya), Brian Barrett (Dianne), Margaret Horlacher (Gary), and Joseph Lamoreaux (Amanda), as well as ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Odell and Esther, and wife Jeralee, and survived by his five children, sisters, Donna Wallace (Les) and Judy Darr (James), and three nephews and their children.

Paul’s presence was a gift to all who knew him. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and generosity. His legacy lives on through the love he shared, the lessons he imparted, and the lives he touched.

A graveside service will begin at noon on June 14th at Three Mile Cemetery, 2565 Three Mile Rd, The Dalles, OR, with a gathering of family and friends to follow immediately at the Dallesport Community Center, 136 6th Ave, Dallesport, WA 98617. Donations can be made in his honor to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Service For Karl Vercouteren, The Dalles, set for Saturday, June 7

A service for Karl Vercouteren will be held Saturday, June 7th at 1:30pm at Zion Lutheran ELCA at 101 W. 10th St - the corner of 10th and Union streets, in The Dalles, OR 97058.

A reception will follow in the church basement. In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to Cascade Singers, Original Wasco County Courthouse, The Dalles First Congregational UCC, Zion Lutheran ELCA or charity of your choice.

Read Karl’s Obituary here.

Obituary: Ira ‘P-Nut’ Brittle, 88, Scroggins, Texas

Ira “P-Nut” Brittle passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, in Scroggins, Texas. He was 88.  

P-Nut was born on February 26, 1937 in Baxter Springs, Kansas to George Douglas and Lillie (Murray) Brittle. He was raised in Oklahoma and often spoke fondly about his time there, where he grew up with his brothers, Frank, Danny, and Jim, and his sister, Vivian.

Though life back then wasn’t easy, his favorite stories to share were of his childhood home and his adventures in Devil’s Hollow. As he matured, he worked as a laborer on various highway jobs all over Oklahoma and Kansas, even supporting the development of the Will Rogers Turnpike.

In 1959, during a job in rural Kansas, he met a young woman who was supporting construction crews and fell in love. Later that year, Ruth Leonard and P-Nut were married and began the next chapter of their lives together.

Shortly after marriage, P-Nut got a job in The Dalles, Oregon at the aluminum plant. After their first child, Tammie (deceased) was born, Ruth followed him to Oregon and it was there that they gave birth to their first son, Lance, in 1961. They initially lived in Rowena and later moved to The Dalles where their son, Tony, was born in 1973. P-Nut and Ruth enjoyed camping on the beach with their family and they were members of the Columbia Gorge Climbers, where they raced Jeeps. P-Nut greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and passed his passion for fishing on to his grandchildren. P-Nut and Ruth were active members at Emanuel First Baptist Church in The Dalles.

P-Nut worked at the aluminum plant until 2000 when the plant closed. As part of the Trade Readjustment Act, he attended college at age 63 and over a six-year period earned three associate degrees in Management, Diesel Mechanics, and Marine Mechanics. P-Nut was proud of his degrees and put his education to use starting a small business repairing the boats of friends and close acquaintances.             

When Ruth suffered a stroke in 2003, P-Nut dedicated his time to acting as a primary caregiver for her, managing her meals and medication. He cared for her until she passed away on May 2, 2019.

In October of 2024, P-Nut moved from The Dalles to live next to Lance in Scroggins, Texas. His final months were spent on the lake watching the birds and deer, taking trips in golf carts, and doing what he loved most – fishing.

P-Nut is preceded in death by his wife Ruth Brittle, daughter Tammie Brittle, and sister Vivian. He is survived by his three brothers, Frank Brittle, Danny Brittle, and Jim Brittle as well as by his son Lance Brittle and wife Peggy and his three grandchildren Maggie, Amie and Seth; and by his son Tony Brittle and wife Sarah.

P-Nut's burial services were held in his hometown in Oklahoma, but a memorial fish fry will be held here in The Dalles in a few months. If you'd like an invite, please reach out to P-Nut's granddaughter, Amie, at amiebrittle@gmail.com. 

Obituary: Karl Vercouteren, The Dalles

Karl Vercouteren was born and grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he worked summers at Boy Scout camps and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

He attended Lakeland College (now Lakeland University) in Wisconsin, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, did a student internship in Rhode Island, served Grace United Church of Christ in Covington, Kentucky for 12 years, and mwas pastor of United Church of Christ, Congregational, of The Dalles, Oregon, from 1977 until his retirement in September 2008.

Karl was active in the Cascade Singers since the second year of the community choir’s existence. The choir’s European tours were musical highlights and afforded opportunities to reunite with family members and friends in Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands. He especially enjoyed locating and arranging music for the group’s annual “St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” concerts. He participated in church choirs and helped organize the Men’s Chorus at Zion Lutheran Church.

Karl joined the Board of the Original Wasco County Courthouse shortly after moving to The Dalles. He was a past president and organized the annual Regional History Forum. He joined The Dalles Kiwanis Club in 1977 and was a past president of the club. He worked on many Kiwanis service projects and led the organizing committee for Christmas and Cherry Festival parades since the early 1990s, and Fourth of July and Veterans Day parades in more recent years. He was part of the group that sponsors the biennial Organ Crawl featuring The Dalles’ five pipe organs.

In the past he served on the Wasco County Commission on Children and Families, the statewide board of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and regional and national boards of his church. He has also been active in Mid-Columbia Fellowship of Churches, Habitat for Humanity, and Wasco County Citizens for Human Dignity.

For a number of years Karl was part of church-sponsored teams that went to Biloxi, Mississippi, to work on housing—a critical need long after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

Karl’s interest in local and regional history resulted in several projects during his post-retirement years: concert selections and narratives for several “Historic The Dalles Days” programs; a concert and PowerPoint presentation that eventually resulted in publication of his 2017 book, “Now Playing at the Vogt: The Dalles’ Forgotten Opera House”; the writing of Mid-Columbia area entries for the 2020 interactive map, “The National Vote for Women Trail”; writing of blogs about buildings on The Dalles Art Center’s “All Together The Dalles” photo-montage print and mural, published in book form in 2022; and he published an additional book on the architecture and history of local buildings, “All Together The Dalles Too,” in 2023. Karl also served as one of the historians who researched and wrote proposals for the murals that were produced when the Walldogs came to town in August 2022, and he continued the project as a member of the mural committee.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Govert and Esther (Ochs) Vercouteren, and Aunt Elsie Fasse. Karl is survived by his wife Jean (Anderson) Vercouteren. Karl and Jean were together for 61 years! Other survivors include brothers Peter and Robert Vercouteren, daughter Kristine (Vercouteren) Dombroski and husband John Dombroski, son Jacob Vercouteren, grandson Jodecy Vercouteren, AFS exchange student son, David Timmers from Belgium, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Karl’s memory to the Cascade Singers, the Wasco County Original Courthouse, The Dalles Kiwanis Club, The Dalles UCCC Church, Zion Lutheran ELCA, The Dalles, or a charity of your choice.

A service for Karl Vercouteren will be held Saturday, June 7th at 1:30pm at Zion Lutheran ELCA at 101 W. 10th St - the corner of 10th and Union streets, in The Dalles, OR 97958.

A reception will follow in the church basement. In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to Cascade Singers, Original Wasco County Courthouse, The Dalles First Congregational UCC, Zion Lutheran ELCA or charity of your choice.

Obituary: Judy Elaine Bradley (Frazier), 75, Hood River

Judy Elaine Bradley (Frazier), of Hood River, Oregon, passed away at the age of 75 years old on May 18, 2025, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, Oregon, after a short battle with lung cancer.

There is a large sense of loss, but a larger sense of gratitude that she was given a disease that allowed quick passage through pain. After many years of suffering due to chronic illness, she is finally free.

Judy was born on June 15, 1949, to parents Donald Glen Frazier and Pearly Jean Frazier (Steeley) in Hood River, Oregon. Judy was the second of five siblings: Donna, Cleve, Steve, and Chad. The Fraziers would often make trips to visit their large extended family in Oklahoma. Judy married Patrick Russell Bradley in 1968, and they welcomed their daughter, Paris Rochelle Bradley, later that year. In 1971, Judy and Pat welcomed their second daughter, Monica Adelle Bradley. 

Judy’s home was always welcome to her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and she loved being surrounded by family. She spent many years as a waitress and cook, and is remembered for her sweet treats. Judy was also fond of crafting, sewing, and her favorite game - Aggravation!

Judy is survived by her children, Paris Beardsley (son-in-law Brian Beardsley) and Monica Bradley (son-in-law Guy Bowie); granddaughter, Eliot Fenwick (son-in-law Jeffery Fenwick); great-granddaughter, Josephine Fenwick; brother, Chad Frazier (brother-in-law David Wentz); brother-in-law, Terry Johnson; and a large extended family.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Bradley; parents, Donald and Pearly Frazier; and siblings, Donna Johnson, Cleve Frazier, and Steve Frazier.

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Judith Marie Brackenbury, 73, The Dalles

Judith Marie Brackenbury, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on May 27, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Jora Jean Benson Phetteplace, 83, The Dalles

Jora Jean Benson Phetteplace, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on May 20, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Jack Allan Curry, 77, Maupin

Jack Allan Curry, age 77, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at home on May 17, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Joshua Carl Olsen, 37, The Dalles

Joshua Carl Olsen, age 37, a resident of The Dalles, passed away at OHSU on May 26, 2025.

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

Obituary: Lawrence ‘Larry’ Leland Hughes, 94, The Dalles

Larry Hughes still fit neatly into his letterman sweater back in 2020 when CCCNews wrote a story about his Championship Football Season in 1947 with The Dalles High School.

Lawrence (Larry) Leland Hughes, a lifelong resident of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2025, just shy of his 95th birthday. He was born June 9, 1930, in The Dalles to Ray and Ethel Hughes.

Larry attended The Dalles High School, graduating in 1948. During that time, he was active in the Boy Scouts—earning the rank of Eagle Scout—as well as the fire brigade, honor society, senior class council, and the D-Club. He was also a member of the football team and was particularly proud of having served as captain of the 1947 Oregon State High School Championship team during his senior year.

Larry Hughes

Larry scored the first touchdown of the state championship game and helped lead his team to victory over the Hillsboro Spartans in front of 14,000 spectators.

Click here to read the CCCNews story of that championship team.

After graduation, he continued his education at Linfield College, where he met the love of his life, Lois Rae Shrode. They married on September 24, 1950, and spent 72 years building a life together until her passing in 2023. They made their home in The Dalles, raising son, Randall (Randy), and daughters Julia (Julie), Linda, and Nancy.

Larry joined the family business, Hughes Feed and Grain, eventually taking ownership in 1979. He and Lois ran the store together until retiring in 1990. Throughout his life, Larry was committed to serving the youth in his community—he was active in Sea Scouts and served as a Boy Scout leader for his son’s troop.

In retirement, Larry and Lois traveled the world, visiting places such as Greece, Egypt, Australia, and Mexico. They created lasting memories taking grandchildren on trips to Disneyland, enjoyed cruises, visited family in Alaska, and escaped the summer heat at Rockaway Beach and later Long Beach, Washington. One of Larry’s most treasured places was Lost Lake, near Mount Hood. Remarkably, for 94 consecutive summers—from infancy through his final year—he gathered there with family, building memories and sharing in the joy of the Pacific Northwest.

Larry had a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, nature, history, and community. An avid woodworker, he crafted countless miniature wooden items in his shop and was well known for gifting handmade birdhouses to friends and neighbors. He spent many years hiking throughout the Columbia Gorge, collecting artifacts such as arrowheads and millstones. Recently, he donated his collection to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center so that others could enjoy and learn from it. He also remained actively involved in organizing high school reunions, helping classmates from The Dalles High School stay connected over the decades.

Larry is survived by his son, Randy (Sharon) Hughes of Post Falls, ID; daughters, Julie Peterson of Portland and Nancy Trapp of Oregon City; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Burch, of North Branford, CT; brother-in-law, Bud Shrode, of Post Falls; and six nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Lois; daughter, Linda Remington; son-in-law, Steve Trapp; brother-in-law, Rich Burch; sister-in-law, Barbara Shrode; and nephew, Andy Shrode.

Per Larry’s wishes, no service will be held. Those wishing to honor his memory may make a donation to St. Peter’s Landmark or the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel (204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, OR 97058).  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.

Obituary: Gerine Minnette Mackey, The Dalles

Gerine Minnette Mackey, known as Geri, passed away peacefully in her home on May 15, 2025. Geri and her sister Jackie were born September 9, 1962, to Ceila and Jack Lorts in Norwalk California.

From an early age, Geri was adventurous, whether it was performing with her parents or cooking up mischief with her sister, Geri was determined to succeed in everything she did. When the girls were 11, Geri’s family relocated to Douglas County, Oregon. Geri attended high school at South Umpqua High School and graduated from Canyonville Bible Academy in 1980. 

Geri’s first love was musical theater, she attended college at Southern Oregon University and Umpqua Community College, where she studied theater. Geri spent many years active in the UACT community theater in Douglas County. She also participated in and won many karaoke contests and spent several years in the choir at Roseburg First United Methodist Church.

  In 2002, Geri and her children relocated to The Dalles, where she called home for the rest of her life. She was active in recovery programs for the first many years. She worked at Dennys, where she was well known for her wonderful service and community connections. Geri was a tender-hearted woman with a deep, deep passion to see equality in the world. She was an advocate for women, LGBTQ, the homeless, and countless other persecuted persons and groups. Always clad in dresses of pink, purple, and tie-dye. Geri never missed a festival or gathering, but she was always the happiest when she was rooting for her Niners. One of her greatest joys was watching NFL 49ers football with her children and grandchildren, especially her grandson Timmy, with whom she even got to attend a game, a lifelong goal.

  Geri is survived by her children, Ashara, Aubrey, Olivia, Portia and bonus children Ronald, Drew, Brendon and Margaret, her mother Celia, and her sisters Jacqueline and Virginia, as well as her grandchildren Kendra, Malachi, Jestina, Jeremiah, Jemini, Timothy, Alyson, August, Bennett, Atticus, Celia, Kaydence, Skylar, Carson and Zoey. She was preceded in death by her daughter Alyssa, husband Bill, and her Father Jack.

A lover of music, theater, sports, and community, but most of all her family, Geri will be missed beyond words. Her love, passions, and legacy will live on forever in her children and grandchildren for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 31, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at The Dalles First United Methodist Church, 305 E. 11th Street, The Dalles, Oregon. Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Michael Shawn Duncan, 52, The Dalles

Michael Shawn Duncan, age 52, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away May 4, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Wayne Harris Stout, 79, Maupin

Wayne Harris Stout, age 79, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away at home on May 12, 2025.

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

Death Notice: Caysen Lee Jensen, 3, The Dalles

Caysen Lee Jensen, age 3, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on May 17, 2025. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10 AM at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home with a Graveside Service to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Cherry Heights Road at Noon.

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

Obituary: Jo Ann (Tenney) Fisher, 72, The Dalles

Jo Ann (Tenney) Fisher, 72, unexpectedly passed away May 9, 2025, at her home in The Dalles, Oregon, with her husband Rusty by her side.

Jo Ann was born on May 30, 1952, in Hood River, Oregon, to Joe William Tenney and Ethel Mae Tenney.  She is survived by her husband R. Rust (Rusty) Fisher of The Dalles, her brother Mike Tenney of Monmouth, Oregon (Val), sister Barb Hosford (Mitch) of Hood River, Oregon stepbrothers: Bob Walden (Connie), Bill Walden, Greg Walden (Mylene), and Anthony Walden, Marta Simons and Hannah Simons. Pet survivors include canine companions, Hanz and Fritz. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lewis Wixon.

Jo Ann spent much of her life working in Hawaii and Alaska before returning to The Dalles in the late 1990s. For 11 years she managed a store in Mililani, Hawaii before moving to Anchorage, Alaska where for 17 years she worked for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority in real estate and finance. When she moved back to The Dalles, she went to work for Columbia River Bank and for many years led Jazzercize classes at the Civic Center.

Jo Ann attended elementary, junior high, and high school in The Dalles and graduated from Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Washington, in 1970. She attended Pacific Lutheran University.

Growing up she was a competitive swim team athlete, perfecting the individual medley, breaststroke, and freestyle races, achieving state records in La Grande, Oregon. She was a cheerleader and participated in The Dalles Booster Club and loved mountain skiing, sang in small and large groups, and played instruments in the band, such as glockenspiel, clarinet and bass clarinet.

In retirement, she stayed very active riding bikes, playing the ukulele with friends and family, jazzercising, sewing quilts, and with her amazing crafting projects. She gave back to the community with service on The Dalles Planning Commission and as a volunteer and treasurer with Habitat for Humanity. She also helped with the Holiday Festival of Trees.

She and Rusty celebrated nine years of marriage in April. They created a beautiful life together. They enjoyed traveling and spending time at their cabin in Wrightwood, California.

A private, family burial is planned for next month at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. Her wish was that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 378 The Dalles, or online at https://columbiagorgehabitat.org/giving-to-habitat

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

Death Notice: Gerine Minnette Mackey, 62, The Dalles

Gerine Minnette Mackey, age 62, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on May 15, 2025. A Viewing will be held at Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12 pm.

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

Obituary: Delbert Cecil Hedges, 98, Parkdale

Delbert Cecil Hedges, 98, of Parkdale, Oregon, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Delbert was born on October 27, 1926, in Madera, California, to William Edward and Edith Isabell (Noble) Hedges. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. After returning home, he worked in the logging industry in Port Angeles, Washington, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Robinson. They were married on December 8, 1951.

Together, they began raising their family of four children in Madera, California, before moving to Parkdale, Oregon, in 1961. Delbert worked at Weber Hardware and later for Diamond Fruit Growers as a Refrigeration Engineer until his retirement in 1989.

Delbert was deeply committed to his community. He volunteered for many years with the Parkdale Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief and also sat on the Board of Directors. He was a dedicated Boy Scout Master for Parkdale Troop #380 and led a 4-H archery club.

A talented craftsman, Delbert was skilled in woodworking, welding, and metalwork. He and Shirley also built a successful upholstery business, Ideal Design.

Delbert is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley; his children, Charlotte Robison, Darlene Reinhart (and husband Ronald), Delbert Jr. (and wife Patty), and Douglas (and wife Sue); his grandchildren, James, Dawn, Kathryn, Kevin, Bethany, and Michael; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edith; his sister, Margaret Holcomb; and his grandson, Jake Robison.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Parkdale Fire Department and Bristol Hospice for their care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Parkdale Fire Department (4895 Baseline Drive, Mount Hood Parkdale, Oregon 97041).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Delbert’s memory to the Parkdale Fire Department.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.