William Edward Hardy, age 72, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at OHSU on October 2, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
March 23, 1941 — September 21, 2026
Nancy Weigelt Hitzemann was born on March 23, 1941, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Gus and Lily Weigelt. An only child, she grew up surrounded by books and stories in her family’s bookstore “Weigelt’s Bookstore & Stationers,” reportedly the longest privately owned bookstore “West of the Rockies.” Nancy grew up to be quite independent.
At The Dalles High School, Nancy was crowned Sweetheart at the Valentine’s Ball, played the bugle with the Booster Girls and was a member of the Ushers. Summers were spent at the “Nat,” where she swam on The Elks Swim Team. She won numerous trophies—and she was good— really good!
After high school, Nancy and her friends, Sally and Glenda, discovered that the University of Idaho had a favorable ratio of men to women. Naturally, they headed to Idaho. Nancy earned a degree in elementary education, and won an award for having the best legs on campus— a distinction she surely would have wanted remembered.
In 1982, Nancy married Jim Hitzemann and became stepmother to Deric and Krista (Todd). After brief stays in Bellevue, Washington, and Rancho Bernardo, California, where Nancy became a substitute teacher for the Poway School District, Nancy & Jim made their final home in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. She volunteered with AdvoCATS, a rescue organization dedicated to saving, spay and neutering feral cats. Nancy and Jim had three cats of their own, and fostered many, many more. Their love of cruising also benefitted their friends, who were frequently recruited to cat sit. Fun, adventurous, independent, generous and warm-hearted, Nancy lived fully on her own terms. Her life included swimming, teaching, travelling with Jim, family, lifelong friendships, laughter, books and more cats than anyone can reasonably count.
Nancy returned to The Dalles and moved to The Springs where she passed away on September 21, 2026. Her ashes will be scattered, together with Jim’s, off the beach in Kona, Hawaii, returning them together to a place they loved.
Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to: Columbia Gorge Humane Society, 200 River Road, The Dalles OR 97058 and indicate in memory of Nancy Weigelt Hitzemann.
Wanda Marie Scott, age 83, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on September 21, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Hom in care of arrangements.
Glen Roger Hantelman was born in Fenton, Iowa, to parents William and Marie (née Schmidtke) Hantelman. He is preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters Mary Johnson (Iowa) and Rebecca McCartney (Ontario, Canada), and his cousin Leora (California). He is survived by his sister Susan Harvey (Jersey, UK), as well as his three favorite nieces, Amanda, Christine, and Jennifer. He will be greatly missed by his dear friend Shantel, in Colorado, his California family, his Minnesota family, and by his many friends and family members in Oregon and across the globe.
Glen was a man of service. Service to his country. To his community. To his family. After graduating from Fenton’s Sentral Senior High School, where he played football, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army, including duty with the 3rd Battalion, 81st Artillery Regiment in Korea, and the 3rd Battalion, 38th Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with a temporary duty assignment at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, where he was trained to arm nuclear missiles during the Cold War.
He later worked in Wyoming and Colorado as a lineman for Bell, refusing any promotion that would have put him behind a desk — he preferred to be outdoors, in nature, and as far away from any corporate oversight as he could get. (Those who knew Glen knew that he was a man of great independence.)
He shopped locally, he supported local restaurants — Zim's, Holstein’s, Petite Provence, and Momma Jane's — and he refused to buy things online when his money could be spent investing in his own city — his home.
For more than 20years after his retirement, that home was The Dalles, Oregon.
He was also a man of great intellect. When he’d take visitors to the top of Rowena Crest, he’d gaze out at the ancient scenery and point out the geological features — where the floods came, what the rock colors and stratifications could tell you about the region’s history. He knew everything about the Oregon Trail, which terminated a few blocks from his home, and about the local growing seasons for cherries, apples, corn, and lavender — he was from a small farming town, after all.
He knew the names and details of Hungarian orchestra conductors, Canadian Prime Ministers, American songbirds, UK naval battles, and could tell you exactly what the rail cars were carrying — lumber, coal, grain — as they rumbled by his house alongside the banks of the Columbia River. He found great peace in sitting out on his back deck, with a panoramic view of the gorge, the river, and sky.
In Oregon, he felt, he had found his true home.
He had a massive vinyl collection — mostly classical but he loved folk music, Peter, Paul and Mary, and the Beach Boys. He played the guitar at family gatherings. He loved the Rocky Mountains. He loved roadside diners and long drives along America’s greatest, most historic roads. He loved chef Alice Waters, Estes Park, the opera, and books about U.S. history.
He had a great love for his country, and always sought to make it better. He was a union man, through and through. And he believed decent and honest men and women were the backbone of American society. He believed in second chances. He was a mentor to many.
He rented a room in his house but refused to charge market rate. “No one should be paying 70% of their salary just to have a roof over their head,” he’d say. He believed in fairness. In decency. In doing unto others as you’d do unto them.
He was kind, understanding, non-judgmental and a great listener.
He was also a modest, quiet man, so you may not have known all these things about him, unless you took the time to ask.
He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, buy a book at Klindt’s, his favorite bookstore, or go take a walk in nature, and think of him. And remember to call the ones you love, as often as you can.
Finally, in the words of my Uncle Glen, as he signed off every phone call:
Take care of each other.
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
1067 NE Columbia Blvd.
Portland, OR 97211
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
To know Mareta H. Hendricks Maier was to know a woman of remarkable strength, deep love, and unmistakable spirit. A stranger to no one, she had a way of striking up a conversation wherever she went and making a connection with nearly everyone she met.
Mareta, 95, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles, Oregon, with her family close and surrounded by love throughout her final hours.
Born May 8, 1931, in The Dalles, Mareta grew up on Tygh Ridge on her parents’ wheat ranch, often riding her horse to school. Mareta attended the Ireland School House and The Dalles High School before continuing her education at Oregon State University.
While working as a bank teller, she met Richard “Dick” Maier, beginning a beautiful life together that would span 61 years. After raising their four children, she joined Dick in growing the family’s longtime clothing store, Maier & Krier, in downtown The Dalles. She enjoyed greeting customers and, in many ways, became an ambassador for the community she loved.
Mareta filled her days with the people, places, and traditions she loved. She was a storyteller and the family historian, and after a lifetime as full as hers, she had no shortage of material. Proud of her Irish heritage and with a deep appreciation for history and days gone by, she made sure the stories of generations past continued to be told. She enjoyed her time on the golf course, treasured the friendships and lively conversations of her longtime bridge group, and could often be found walking through Sorosis Park. Music was another constant in her life; she loved to sing and play the piano. Her grandchildren will remember the special bran muffins she baked and shared with them, along with the many stories that came with them. She always cheered on Gonzaga basketball and lived for a good party.
Mareta was deeply woven into the fabric of her community and was always willing to participate, lead, or lend a hand. She served as president of P.E.O. and of The Dalles Golf Club Ladies Organization, served on the Red Cross Board of Directors, volunteered at the Discovery Center, and was active in St. Peter’s Altar Society. These were just some of the many ways she gave her time and energy to the community she loved and called home.
Above all, Mareta’s greatest legacy was the family she loved and the many people whose lives became intertwined with hers. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her life.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard “Dick” Maier; her parents, Mildred and Lester Hendricks; her two older brothers, Gerald Hendricks and Thomas Hollis Hendricks; and her two younger sisters, Arline Kniesteadt and Jane Ericson.
She is survived by her children, Helen Jane Mather (married to John Mather) of Lake Oswego, OR, David Maier (married to Susan Tucker Maier) of The Dalles, Marilyn Staeheli (married to Dr. John Staeheli) of Richland, WA, and Michael Maier (partner to Julie Marosi), of Fairfield, ID and 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, September 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in The Dalles. The Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Discovery Center 5000 Discovery Center Dr. The Dalles, OR 97058 or St. Mary’s Academy 1112 Cherry Heights Rd. The Dalles, OR 97058, two organizations close to Mareta’s heart.
Kristi LaLine Roberts, age 37, a resident of Goldendale, WA, passed away at Peace Health Medical Center on September 11, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
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.
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.
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 in care of arrangements.
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 in care of arrangements.
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 in care of arrangements.
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.
Noe Zaragoza, age 48, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away September 13, 2026. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Dianna Mae Martin January 26, 1946 – September 11, 2026 Dianna Mae Martin, born Dianna Mae Tiller, passed away on September 11, 2026, at the age of 80. 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, and even near the end of her life, she could still be found worrying about things like whether someone had vacuumed under the couch. Sitting still simply wasn’t in her nature. Dianna was also a storyteller with a lifelong fascination with the things in this world that aren’t easily explained. Drawing from decades of experiences and stories throughout Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond, she wrote The World Is Thinner Here: True Encounters of the Unexplained in the Pacific Northwest and Other Places, a collection of 24 stories involving 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 started her fight with cancer in 1973. Again in 2000, 2018, and her second bout with lung cancer took her in 2026. 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; her 7 beloved grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, along with family and friends whose lives are considerably less spicy without her in them. Dianna worked hard, loved hard, and lived on her own terms. Even when her body began failing 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 she’ll arrive exactly as promised in her dancing shoes. And because Dianna deserved the last word, she left her family one final recorded farewell that they will carry with them forever: “Adios Amigos”
https://a.co/d/0aXSz3jD
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
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.
Gerald 'Jerry' Martin Bonn passed away on September 10, 2026, leaving behind his wife, Carol Lee Cooper Bonn of The Dalles; his daughter, Lori Bonn Stenshoel of Eugene; and his stepson, Mark Cooper of Beaverton, and 2 grandchildren, Cameron and Sophie.
Jerry was born and raised in The Dalles and graduated from The Dalles High School. He attended Oregon State University and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.
Jerry followed his father, John Bonn, into commercial real estate, and the two worked as business partners in the Portland area. A Realtor for nearly 50 years, Jerry also became a builder and developer of apartment buildings and duplexes and, more recently, commercial condominiums. Real estate was truly a lifelong career for him.
Outside of work, Jerry loved golf and participated in many tournaments over the years. He especially enjoyed time on the golf course with his wife and friends.
Jerry was always the fun guy in the room, with a terrific sense of humor and a genuine kindness toward everyone he met. He enjoyed life, loved to laugh, and had a way of making those around him feel welcome.
He will be deeply missed, and we hope he is at peace knowing how very much he was loved.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
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 in care of arrangements.
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 in care of arrangements.
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 in care of arrangements.