Obituary: Ross Edward Lambert, 63, Dallesport

Ross Edward Lambert, 63 of Dallesport, Washington passed away peacefully with his wife Sue and best friend Martin Mealue by his side on June 15th, 2026 in ICU at OHSU Hospital in Portland, Oregon.  

Ross was born August 20th, 1962 in Portland, Oregon to Victor and Iona (Daniels) Lambert joining his big brother Bruce Lambert at home.  

Ross enjoyed growing up in Portland with his many neighborhood friends, riding bikes all over town in the 60’s and 70’s when it was a safe time to do that, he had a lot of fond memories of time spent with his friends.  

Ross graduated from David Douglas High School in 1980.  He worked many jobs during Jr High and High School.  After graduation, he worked for Dennis’ 7 Dees for a few years.  

In  1988 Ross married Sue Merritt Ross at her home in White Salmon, WA.  Yes, that’s right Sue’s last name was Ross and that created a lot of confusion  throughout the years, Sue was widowed and had two son’s David Ross and Bobby Ross.  Ross loved and raised David and Bobby as if they were his  own.  Later raising two grandchildren, Makayla and Brandon Ross as if they were his own.  Ross was a man of his word, dependable, hard worker, level headed, voice of reason, frugal, and a man of many talents.  

Ross worked for Bryant Pipe and Supply, Luhr Jensen’s, SeaTrend Surf Boards, Chinook Plumbing, Terry Trantow Surveying and lastly The City of White Salmon-Public Works retiring after 30 years with the city October 1st, 2025.  Ross enjoyed his job with The City of White Salmon and enjoyed the people he worked with, you could even say his job was his hobby.  Ross was a man of many talents and he could Macgyver just about anything, he loved a good challenge to make things work!  

Ross was a member of The BPOE Elk’s Lodge 1868 in White Salmon for 38 years, for several years he was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Hood River until him and Sue moved to Dallesport in 2016.  

Ross enjoyed spending time with friends and family, his friends were his family. Ross enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, riding his motorcycle (prior to marrying Sue), barbequeing , music 70’s and 80’s rock and roll, going to concerts, traveling, spending time with his Grandkids, working on his Grandkids cars, visiting his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Peggy Bray in Modesto, CA and friends, Greg and Patty Coleman in Queen Creek, AZ.  Sue’s uncle and aunt, John and Rita McGrath of Couer D’ Alene, ID and Penny Miner of Twin Falls, ID.  Ross especially loved being included in the Mealue Family functions and spending time with them.  Ross coached T-ball, Coach Pitch and Little League Baseball, when his Granddaughter Makayla and Grandson Brandon were young.  

Ross was a volunteer fireman for the White Salmon Fire Department for 30 years, he enjoyed driving the Firetruck in the parades with his Grandkids.  

Ross was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Iona Lambert, Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law Marvin and Shirley Merritt.  

Ross is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sue Lambert; son’s, David (Jennifer Warren) and Robert (Bobby) (Jen Drotar- Candice, Destiny and Elijah) Ross; grandchildren, Gabriel Ross, Makayla Ross, Brandon Ross, Aiden Ross, Ryleigh Ross and Reign Ross; brother, Bruce Lambert; niece, AJ Lambert; nephew, Aaron ( Heather and Huxley) Lambert; multiple cousins and on the Lambert side of the family he is the first cousin to pass; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Peggy Bray;  nieces, Brenda and Samantha; nephew, Steven; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rick and Julie Blake; niece, Cristi (Chris); nephews, Matthew and Daniel; ex-sister-in-law, Suzie Dunfee and Pastor Scott Dunfee; and many dear friends, Martin and Tara Mealue, Courtney and German Poroj, Shawn and Sue Young, Rick and Amanda Mustion, George and Sandy Volker, Cheryl and Dave LeDoux, Greg and Patty Coleman, Penny Miner, Rob Clary, Ryan Adams, Andrew and Kelsey Dirks, Jeff and Becka Cooper, Rachel McIsaac and Mike, Megan and Alex Bubar, Terry and Ramona Register, Karen and Morris Schademan, Rick and Michelle Petersen, Paul and Sue Ronning, Ann Zuehlke, Dona Schock, the guys at the White Salmon City Shop his Boss Chris and all of the people he worked with at White Salmon City Hall over the 30 years he was there, including Mayors, Roger Holen, David Poucher and Marla Keethler.  

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful doctors and nurses that cared for Ross while at OHSU and the people that visited at the hospital supporting Sue and family; Martin Mealue, Michelle Petersen,  AJ Lambert, Bruce Lambert, Pastor Scott & Suzie Dunfee, David, Bobby, Makayla, Brandon and many friends that came to visit at the hospital as well as all of those who had called.  

Services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at Grace Baptist Church (1280 W. Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, WA 98672).

Death Notice: Robert Gerald Miller, 74, The Dalles

Robert Gerald Miller, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center on June 26, 2026.

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

Death Notice: June Marie Thompson, 73, The Dalles

June Marie Thompson, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on June 23, 2026.

A Graveside Service will be held July 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Lone Pine Cemetery in Wamic, OR. Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Phil Brady, 70, The Dalles

From Anderson's Tribute Center:

The Dalles, Ore., June 26, 2026 — Wasco County lost a beloved community leader, science teacher, friend, and family member with the death of Phil Brady. On May 19th, 2026, Phil took his bike out for a ride, as he did so many mornings of his life. He experienced symptoms, was taken to the local hospital, and died of aortic dissection. By the day’s end, he led his re-election bid for Wasco County Commissioner, a testament to the service he gave to a place he loved dearly. 

Philip Leonard Brady was born the day after Christmas in The Dalles, 1955. His parents, Eileen and Minor Brady, owned Brady’s Market on 3rd Street. He enjoyed his childhood in The Dalles skiing, fly fishing, and working in the orchards.

He attended Gonzaga University where he studied physics. After college, he joined the Jesuit Order. This time broadened his worldview -from studying philosophy to serving people experiencing homelessness, and even exploring astronomy at the Pope’s summer palace. 

He credited marrying Mary Jo Commerford as one of his wisest decisions, his dearest companion of over 40 years. His eldest Sarah shares his passion for politics, community organizing, and outdoor adventures such as circumnavigating Mt. Adams. Maza carries his interest in technology and science, building rocket launchers and raising goats together. He was beloved by his 4 grandkids, with his gift for entering their world through imaginative play.

From 1994 to 2003, Phil and family joined Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Venezuela. He was shaped deeply by the people he lived with who nicknamed him Indiana Jones for his signature hat. He helped form an ecology group that protected spring water and inspired people to nurture their connection with the desert landscape. He was beloved there, as he was here, for sharing his passion for the universe with his homemade telescope. One of his signature lessons is that we are made of stardust

Upon returning to the US, Phil spent 18 years teaching in the North Wasco School District. He spent the longest stretch as a teacher for incarcerated youth at NORCOR. His classes were full of fun explosions and hands-on learning that drew many into a shared love of science.

In 2022 he was elected to serve as Wasco County Commissioner. He was known for showing up, being kind, weighing tough decisions with curiosity, and having a big vision for the future.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Erin Conry. In addition to his wife, daughters and grandchildren, he is survived by his sister Coleen Connolly (Jim), brother Kevin Brady (Kerry Jo) and many nieces and nephews.

For his family, he will be missed as a loving constant, someone we all relied on to steady us through life. His belief in community was as expansive as the stars.

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Obituary: Katherine Ketchum, 85, Ajijic, Mexico

Katherine Ketchum

Nature lover, world traveler and fiercely competitive card player Katherine Ketchum passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 7, 2026, in Ajijic, Mexico. She was 85.

Katherine was raised on a ranch outside The Dalles, where her family lived without electricity or indoor plumbing until she was 7 years old. Her childhood was filled with caring for orphaned lambs, learning to sew, exploring fields of wildflowers and talking with her best friend, Nanette, on a nine-party telephone line.

She attended Oregon State University, earning a degree in home economics before moving to New York City to begin her career as a flight attendant. The job sparked a lifelong love of travel. In 1969, she married Paul Dauenhauer, and together they explored the world before and after welcoming their two children.

Katherine was known for her warm conversation, infectious laugh and love of a good card game. She found joy in nature through gardening and long walks, and she delighted in discovering hidden treasures at thrift stores and garage sales. Her passion for travel continued throughout her life.

In 2020, after developing dementia, Katherine moved to an assisted living community in Ajijic, Mexico. Even there, her laughter, kindness and joyful spirit continued to brighten the lives of those around her until her passing.

She is survived by her daughter, Christina Dauenhauer and partner Rayne Walker; her son, Jeffery Dauenhauer and partner Jenny Pavey; and her granddaughter, Tilly Dauenhauer.

A celebration of Katherine's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at the Mosier Grange Hall.

Obituary: Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, Pendleton

Marilyn Kay Deel, 70, of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away on June 20, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington, surrounded by family. A  Celebration of Life will be held on  August 1, 2026~ 3 p.m. at the Community Center in Wamic, Oregon.

    Marilyn was born on February 23, 1956, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Elden Rufus Deel and Juanita Pearl Deel. She attended her early years of school in Wamic, Oregon, and graduated from Wasco County Union High School in Maupin, Oregon, in 1974. She later attended college in Prineville and Portland, Oregon.

    Throughout most of her adult life, Marilyn worked in several positions with the Oregon Department of Human Services, serving communities in The Dalles, Hood River, Pendleton, and Baker City. She loved helping people through difficult times, and her ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life made her career especially rewarding. The many friendships she developed over the years were deeply cherished.

     Marilyn often shared stories of her childhood on Smock Prairie, situated along the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in northern Wasco County, overlooking Mount Hood. She described a simple life filled with family, hard work, and lasting memories. Among her favorite stories were those of being tied to a saddle at just two years old while accompanying family members as they moved cattle, and later spending countless hours riding her beloved horse, Copper. These were some of the memories she treasured most.

     Her love of music and horses remained with her throughout her life. She enjoyed spending time with family, camping, visiting the Oregon Coast, taking long drives with picnic lunches, and attending family reunions. She delighted in sharing stories and memories of these experiences with those she loved.

    Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather and her siblings Jerold Deel, Howard Deel, Donna Tollefson, and Dwaine Moss.

    She is survived by her daughter, Jesica Obenshain and son-in-law Jesse of Pendleton, OR; grandchildren, Oakley Deel and partner Shelby Kobasa, and Ashly Deel and partner Kole Keller-Morris; great grandchildren, Amelia, Michelle, Octavia, Rhett, and Matthew; sister Saundra Bork of Baker City, OR; brother Michael "Mickey"  Deel and wife Sandra "Sandy" of Oregon City, OR.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stirrup Hope Therapeutic Riding through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR., 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

Death Notice: Phyllis M. Shinn, 85, Husum

Phyllis M. Shinn passed away on June 19, 2026, in Husum, Washington. She was born on August 2, 1940, and was 85 years old at the time of her 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: Steven Joel “Steve” Zorza, 77, Hood River

Steven Joel “Steve” Zorza passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Steve was born on January 7, 1949, in Marquette, Michigan. He was the second of six children born to Ken and Angie Zorza. The family moved from Michigan to Hood River, Oregon when Steve was seven. He grew up among his siblings: older brother Ron and younger siblings Larry, Dubber, Pamela, and Scott.

Steve graduated from Hood River High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1968. He served in the Vietnam War and concluded his service at NSD Yokosuka, Japan, where he met Kazuko, whom he later married. After his honorable discharge in August of 1972, Steve and Kazuko returned to Hood River and made it their home. They raised two children, Jeff and Michelle.

Steve had a deep love for the outdoors and spent many days hunting and fishing with family and friends.

Steve is survived by his children, Jeff Zorza and Michelle (Joe) Cleary; his grandchildren, Owen Cleary, Jadyn Howard-Zorza, Wyatt Cleary, Finn Cleary, and Violet Cleary; and his brothers, Larry Zorza and Dubber Zorza. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Angie Zorza, and his siblings Ron Zorza, Scott Zorza, and Pamela Zorza.

Military Honors for Steve are planned for 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 3rd, 2026 at Mt. View Memorial Cemetery (1235 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon 97031).

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.

Death Notice: Nancy Ellen Brown, 89, Dufur

Nancy Ellen Brown, age 89, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away at home on June 17, 2026. 

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

Obituary: Toni Kay Cooper, 63, The Dalles

Toni Kay Cooper, 63, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026.

Born on March 24, 1963, Toni grew up in Stevenson, Washington, where she formed the strong roots and caring spirit that would guide her throughout her life. She later made her home in The Dalles, Oregon, where she became known for her warm heart, hard work, and devotion to family and friends.

Toni dedicated much of her career to cooking in local restaurants, sharing her talent and passion for food with her community. Of all the places she worked, she especially cherished her time at Johnny's Cafe, where she built lasting friendships and many fond memories.

Outside of work, Toni enjoyed cheering on her beloved Seattle Seahawks and could often be found watching WWE. Whether celebrating a Seahawks victory or enjoying an evening of wrestling entertainment, she embraced the things that brought her joy and never hesitated to share that enthusiasm with those around her.

Above all else, Toni loved her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend whose love and support touched countless lives. She is survived by her daughter, Nikki Culver and husband Kyle; her son, Boone Cooper; her cherished grandchildren, Camdon Amin, Callin Abel, and Caysan Averleigh; her mother, Kathleen Cooper; and her siblings, Gary Akerill, Cindy O'Neal, and Jamie Cooper. She also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.

Toni was preceded in death by her beloved son, Travis Cooper; her father, James Cooper; and her grandparents, Ruth and Merle Akerill. Her family finds comfort in imagining her reunited with Travis and the loved ones who welcomed her home.

Those who knew Toni will remember her for her strength, her sense of humor and her will to live. She had a way of making people feel welcome and valued, and her presence brought comfort and laughter to those around her.

Though her passing leaves an immeasurable void, Toni's legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, family, and the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of Toni's life will be announced by the family at a later date, where she will be toasted with Pepsi  

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever remembered.

Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center * Celilo Chapel, 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com

Obituary: MaryRuth Stranz, 73, The Dalles

MaryRuth Stranz 

MaryRuth Stranz, 73, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away peacefully  at home on June 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. 

MaryRuth was born on February 8, 1953, in The Dalles, Oregon, to  Edward and Mary Nelson. Raised in Wasco County, she developed a  deep love for agriculture and community at an early age. As a youth,  she was actively involved in FFA, proudly raising and showing steers  at the Wasco County Fair for many years. 

After graduating from high school, MaryRuth attended Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University), where she  earned her degree in Education. During this time, she met the love of  her life, Jeff Stranz. They were married in June 1976 and shared  nearly fifty years of faithful partnership, friendship, and devotion. 

Education was not simply MaryRuth's profession—it was her calling.  While teaching and raising a family, she continued her own education and earned a Master of Science degree from Portland State  University in 2000. Her commitment to lifelong learning reflected the  example she set for her students, colleagues, and family. 

For decades, MaryRuth was a cornerstone of the North Wasco County  School District. Her service spanned classrooms at the former Joseph  G. Wilson School and many years at The Dalles Middle School, where  she taught, coached, mentored, substituted, and supported district  programs. Through her steady encouragement, high expectations, and genuine care, she impacted generations of students and  educators. Even after her retirement, her love for teaching and her  community brought her back to the classroom, where she served  several more years as a teacher and mentor at Colonel Wright  Elementary School.

MaryRuth’s dedication to education reflected her deep love for  children and her gift for nurturing growth in others. Whether in the  classroom or beyond it, she encouraged curiosity, celebrated  accomplishments, and inspired confidence in those around her. Above  all, she cherished her own family, finding her greatest joy in her children and grandchildren. She delighted in their accomplishments, encouraged their dreams, attended their activities, and treasured  every opportunity to be together. 

Faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of MaryRuth's life.  Throughout the years, she was an active member of Mosier  Community Church, The Dalles First Christian Church, and later  Calvary Baptist Church.

Her faith was not merely something she professed but something she lived. She served faithfully, encouraged  others generously, and demonstrated Christ's love through her kindness, humility, and care for those around her. Whether in her  church, her classroom, or her home, MaryRuth sought to point others  toward the hope and grace she had found in her Savior. 

MaryRuth is survived by her beloved husband, Jeff Stranz; her  children and grandchildren:  Cora and Jared Sawyer, and their children Colton, Ruthie, Ethan,  Olivia, and Solomon; Jennifer and Joel Vaught, and their children Lillen, Eliza, and Silas; Isaac and Tiffany Stranz, and their children Ezekiel and Shogren; Nathan and Emily Stranz, and their daughter Lucy. 

She is also survived by her brothers, Nick Nelson and Edward Nelson,  both of The Dalles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Nelson,  and by her sister, Kathleen Nelson. 

MaryRuth leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, service, and  dedication. Her influence lives on in the lives of her family, the  students she taught, the educators she mentored, and the community  she loved so well. Confident in the promises of Christ, her family rejoices that she is now in the presence of the Savior she faithfully  followed throughout her life. 

A celebration of MaryRuth's life will be held on Saturday, June 27,  2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the family home in Mosier, Oregon. Family and  friends are invited to gather as they remember and celebrate a life marked by love, service, faithfulness, and a lasting commitment to family, education, and community.

Death Notice: Ross Edward Lambert, 63, White Salmon

Ross Edward Lambert of White Salmon, Washington passed away June 15th, 2026, at Oregon Health and Science University hospital and Clinics in Portland, Oregon.  

Ross was born on August 20, 1962 and was 63 at the time of passing.

Services are planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at Grace Baptist Church (1280 W. Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, WA 98672).  A full life story will follow.

  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: Toni Cooper, 63, The Dalles

Toni Cooper passed away on June 18th, 2026, at Columbia Basin Care Facility in The Dalles, Oregon.   Toni was born on March 24, 1963, and was 63 at the time of passing.

Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel, 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Carol Suzanne Johnson, 69, The Dalles

Carol Suzanne Johnson, a lifelong resident of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away on June 7th, 2026, in The Dalles, Oregon.   Carol was born on July 18th, 1956, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Jerrold and Elnora (Mason) Runyon.  She graduated from The Dalles High School in 1974 and was 69 at the time of her passing.  Services are pending and will be announced soon. 

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

Death Notice: Kenneth Allen Catlin, 61, The Dalles

Kenneth Allen Catlin, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center on June 13, 2026.

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

Death Notice: Reece Andrew Miller, 26, The Dalles

Reece Andrew Miller, age 26, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on June 13, 2026.

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

Obituary: Dorothy Hamako Sato, 103, The Dalles

Dorothy Hamako Sato, whose life embodied grace, resilience, and unwavering devotion to family, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at the extraordinary age of 103.

Dorothy was born on May 24, 1923, in Carlisle, Washington, the third of five children of Matsu Noda and Nobujiro Suguro, who had immigrated from Heda, Japan, in 1919. Her mother named her Hamako – "by the seashore" – and raised all five children in Seattle's Nihonmachi (Japantown). Dorothy attended Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Japanese school, and Franklin High School, where she graduated in 1940. Her mother scraped together fifty cents a lesson for Dorothy to learn violin, instilling a love for classical music that lasted her lifetime.

She survived the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, spending over a year in the Minidoka War Relocation Center. She endured the experience with what she would later describe simply as acceptance. Not quiet passivity, but a clear-eyed willingness to bear what could not be changed. "Shikata ga nai" - it cannot be helped - became the spirit of resolve that carried her forward, and was an attitude that stayed with her for the rest of her life. She eventually began sharing her story widely, believing that what happened to her and every other Japanese American should never be forgotten – that it was a lesson belonging to everyone.

After the war, Dorothy spent seven vibrant years in Chicago – going to the opera, working at an eye clinic, being “Auntie Do” to her nieces and nephews, and spending afternoons by Lake Michigan with her sisters. In the summer of 1949, her life took a romantic turn when she met Ray Sato, an orchardist from Parkdale, Oregon. They were married in 1950, and the city girl suddenly found herself living on a farm in the smallest of small towns. But Dorothy soon grew to love the land more than she ever imagined, and most of all, Mt. Hood – "her mountain." She and Ray built a thriving orchard growing apples, and later, pears, and she ran the books for the farm until she was 94, and together they traveled the world.

Dorothy was always the most stylish person in any room. Her colorful St. John’s suits, bright red nails, matching lipstick, and a perm circling her head like a storm cloud were her signatures. She completed the crossword puzzle every day without fail. She held her citizenship with the highest regard, reading the newspaper and following politics religiously, even in her final weeks. She had a green thumb and loved tending to her gardens, coaxing them to spill over with roses, impatiens, and tulips. She knew beauty could be found anywhere, and was always attuned to the small, exquisite details that give life its meaning.

Dorothy's love was expressed in the language of doing. She home-cooked every meal, hand-sewed her children's clothes, and made sure her three children – Gordy, Peggy, and Sally – had every experience she hadn't been afforded: music and sports lessons, travel, and eventually college. She became "Bobbe" to her grandchildren: Madeline, Julianne, and Zach, and she cherished them completely, constantly, and without condition. She was woven into the fabric of her family's lives: a grounding, steady source of care, friendship, and love – and was, until her very last moment, the matriarchal pillar her family leaned on.

Dorothy's life was magnificently full – of joy and hardship, of beauty and hard work, of loyalty and sacrifice, of family and love. She taught us what grace looks like, what resilience means, and what true presence feels like. The love she poured into her family will live on within them and in the generations to come – an enduring presence created by love alone.

And in the place Dorothy cherished the most – on a brick patio lined with windchimes, where the distant rumble of a tractor fades behind a swell of pear trees, where the air smells of cut grass and warm damp earth, where delicate pear blossoms drift as spring turns to summer – her mountain remains at the center of it all. Bright and steady and ever-present.
And we know that's where she'll be.

Dorothy is survived by her children Gordy and Sally (Joe), her grandchildren Madeline (Olivier), Julianne, and Zach, and her great-grandchildren Leo and Gia. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray, her daughter Peggy, and her siblings, Claire, Kallio, Beth, and Jane.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Gorge Room at the Hood River Inn (1108 E Marina Way, Hood River, OR 97031).

In place of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the organizations Dorothy valued and supported: Japanese American Museum of Oregon, the History Museum of Hood River, Densho, or Friends of Minidoka.
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: Joshua Ray Hill, 31, Tygh Valley

Joshua Ray Hill, lovingly known as Josh, passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 31.

Born in Clackamas, Oregon, to Jim and Cresen Hill, Josh graduated from South Wasco County High School in 2013 and spent much of his life in Wamic, Oregon, a place he deeply loved. In 2025, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to continue building his future.

Josh had a lifelong passion for motorcycles and mechanics. He worked as a motorcycle mechanic in Wamic before relocating to Phoenix, where he worked in maintenance while attending Motorcycle Mechanic School at UTI. He earned his HondaPro Certificate and was proudly working toward graduation in August 2026.

Josh loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes, and working on vehicles. He was always willing to help others and cherished time spent with family and friends. His kindness, humor, loyalty, and adventurous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Josh is survived by his parents, Jim and Cresen Hill; his brother, Jimmy Hill, and sister-in-law, Kayla Hill; his nieces, Juniper and Aspen Hill; and many extended family members and close friends.

A celebration of life will be held on June 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Wasco County Fair & Rodeo Grounds.

Though his life was cut short, Josh’s memory lives on in the stories shared, the trails ridden, and the hearts of all who loved him. His spirit will forever ride with those who knew him.

Death Notice: Eugene Henry Wright, 98, The Dalles

Eugene Henry Wright passed away on June 1, 2026, in The Dalles, Oregon. Eugene was born on April 19, 1928, and was 98 at the time of his passing. 

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

Death Notice: MaryRuth Stranz, 73, The Dalles

MaryRuth Stranz, age 73, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on June 6, 2026.

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