Raleigh Bradford (Brad) O’Blenes, born on April 27, 1942, in Lynn, Massachusetts, passed away on February 2, 2025, at home in The Dalles, Oregon, at the age of 82.

Brad honorably served in the United States Air Force. In 1974, he married Shirley Jean (Jeannie) Henson, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage. He worked at the aluminum plant and C.H. Urness Motors in The Dalles. Throughout his life, he resided in Coos Bay, Oregon, and Maine before returning to The Dalles in 2009. Known for his exceptional barbecue skills, he earned the affectionate nickname "Bar-b-que Man" and took great joy in cooking for others and seeing them enjoy his food. In his final days, he entered hospice care and passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Jeannie by his side.

Brad is survived by his devoted wife Jeannie; his children, Kelly Pullins and Scott O’Blenes, both of Washington; his grandchildren, Jill Neil and Amanda Piper of Colorado, and Jeffery Pullins of Washington; and his great-granddaughters, Autumn and Hazel Neil. He cherished and loved his family deeply.

Brad will be remembered for his love, kindness, and culinary talents. His family and friends will hold his memory close to their hearts.

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

Lawrence E. Wilber passed away on January 31, 2025 at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, OR. He was born on June 11, 1934 in Laona, WI to Gert & Skinny Wilber. They moved to Goldendale, WA in 1950. After graduating High School in 1952, he enlisted in the Air Force. Several months later, he was diagnosed with diabetes and received a medical discharge. Afterwards, he returned to Goldendale and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Layman, on June 11,1955 and they enjoyed 69 wonderful years together. They had one son, Phillip James. In 1958 they moved to The Dalles, OR where Larry worked for Bill Maxfield selling automotive parts, then later drove a Richfield gas truck for Herb Miller delivering gas and diesel all over Wasco County. In 1970, he opened Larry's Ninth Street Shell Station. He retired in 1995 and then moved to Dallesport, WA. Larry was a friend to all and enjoyed his family and friends, especially his two grandsons. He also enjoyed bowling, woodworking, sports, especially the Seattle Mariners, his church, and was a proud member of The Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight from 1969-1971. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife Ruth, son Phillip and his wife Kim of Milwaukie, OR, grandsons Zachary of Milwaukie, OR, Jackson and his wife Miranda of Vancouver WA, his brother Lyle and his wife Cindy Wilber of Ellensburg WA, sister in law Alice Wilber, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Leonard Wilber.

There will be a Rosary held at 10:30 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 with Father Rene Labrador officiating. Interment will be at St. Peter's Parish Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Foundation or to St. Peter's Catholic Church.

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

Cheryl Carter passed away in her home in The Dalles, OR, on January 27, 2025. 

Cheryl Denise Tucker was born October 12, 1958, to Tommy Ladon Tucker and Esther Caroline (Hill) Tucker in Medford, OR. She was the third of four children. The Tucker Family moved to Prineville, OR in 1962. Cheryl attended school in Prineville until she graduated Crook County High School in 1977. 

Cheryl moved to The Dalles in 1980. She met Dana Carter in 1981 and married in May of 1984. They welcomed their first born Denissa Carter (Rouse) in November of 1984. Later they move to Troutdale where they welcomed their two sons, Ross Carter in March of 1988 and Logan Carter in November of 1989. They moved to Terrebone in 1992. In 1998, Cheryl and Dana divorced  and Cheryl and the kids moved back home to Prineville, OR.

In 2001, Cheryl received her Associates Degree in Medical Billing and  Coding from Central Oregon Community College in Bend, OR. After graduation she moved back to The Dalles, OR, where she worked at MCMC in the Home Health Office. Cheryl loved living in The Dalles where she watched her kids grow, get married, and have kids of their own. She moved back to Prineville in 2013. 

Her pride and joy were her 10 grandkids; David Rouse, Delanee Rouse, Delila Rouse, Kelly Carter, Daisy Rouse, Elizabeth Carter, Jase Carter, Nahla Carter, and twin boys Evan and Emmett Carter. When Cheryl wasn’t spending time with her kids or grandkids she loved gardening, camping, fishing, and a good fire. After many health issues, Cheryl ended up moving back to The Dalles, OR, with her son Logan.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Esther (Hill) Tucker; sister, Ladonna Tucker; brother, Gary Tucker; and nephew, Thomas Tucker. She leaves behind her daughter, Denissa (Dave) Rouse of Prineville, OR; son, Ross (Kristine) Carter of Condon, OR; son, Logan (Monica) Carter of the The Dalles, OR; and her 10 grandkids listed above. Her brother, Wes (Margaret) Tucker and Neice, Tavya Tucker all of Madras, OR.

Services for Cheryl will be held at the Juniper Canyon Baptist Church, 9180 SE Juniper Canyon Rd., Prineville, OR, on February 7, 2025, at 1pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Larry Wayne Metzker, age 77, a resident of Arlington, OR, passed away at a local care facility on January 28, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Betty June Polehn, born June 5, 1929, died Jan. 1, 2025.

Married to Leo Polehn (deceased), Betty had five children: Forrest Polehn, Richard Polehn (deceased), Frank Polehn, Linda Lester, and Mike Polehn. Betty also had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Betty was a resident of The Dalles, Oregon, for about 70 years. She was an orchardist, gardener, homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to crochet, do penny slots, play Pinochle, and travel/be a snow bird. She also was an artist and an avid romance and mystery novel reader. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Elks. Family and friends will sorely miss Betty and her sense of humor.

Spencer, Libbey, and Powell held Betty's viewing on Friday, Jan. 3, and she was buried Jan. 4 at the Three Mile Cemetery near The Dalles.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in The Dalles.

George “Mike” Michael Grossmiller, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on January 27, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Lonny Dale McLaren, age 70, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 18, 2025, Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Donald Roy Reckmann, age 68, a resident of Maupin, OR, passed away January 17, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, 11 AM at south Wasco County High School, 699 4th Street, Maupin, OR. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Diane Virginia Cazalet, age 81, a resident of Lyle, WA, passed away January 15, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Cleora Janet Hampton, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 17, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

John Oscar Englund, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away November 17, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

William Thurlow McCloud, age 93, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 5, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Robert Thomas Gardner, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 10, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Grinnell Benn Fosnaugh, age 92, a resident of Wasco, OR, passed away January 15, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

It is with deep sadness that the family of John-Mark Gilhousen announces his passing on the evening of December 19, 2024, at age 73.  John-Mark was born in Portland, Oregon on June 8, 1951, to Inez (Jackson) and Dr. John S. Gilhousen.  He grew up in The Dalles, Oregon, graduating from High School in 1969.  As a child, John-Mark astonished his parents by teaching himself to read at age 3.  His many talents displayed at an early age, allowed him to explore various vocations in which he excelled, only to be derailed by his lifelong battle with ill health.  His studies at Goddard University with graduate work at Gallaudet University brought proficiency in American Sign Language with employment as an interpreter and educator. Vows in Holy Orders and entry into the priesthood of the Old Catholic Church/Dutch Reform brought him a measure of peace, serving parishes in Maine, Ohio, and Wisconsin.  Returning to The Dalles at age 50 to care for his mother, he established the Augustinian Center offering services to those in need of housing, employment and spiritual guidance.  Despite failing health over the past several years, he continued to enjoy the company of friends, as well as volunteer work as a teacher and the Oregon State Democratic Party, all while developing skills as a gourmet chef.  John-Mark will be much missed yet remembered for his kindness, keen intelligence, charm, wonderful sense of humor, a vast store of ecclesiastical knowledge and his lively conversations.  He is survived by his spouse, David Borba, his sisters, Judy Garratt, Bobbie Rettig, and his friend, Sara Kerby, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Charles Raymond Key Jr, age 78, a resident of North Portland, OR, passed away January 7, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Betsy Ann Gangwer Johnson, 89, a longtime resident of The Dalles, Oregon, died at The Springs on Jan. 13, 2025. Betsy was born Nov. 6, 1935, in Sherwood, Oregon. She was the fourth child and first daughter of Ruth and Everett Gangwer, who had seven children. Originally from Indiana, the family worked their way west and settled in Pine Grove, near Hood River, Oregon. This is where Betsy spent her early years. She participated in 4-H, skied at Cooper Spur, and joined her brothers on the Gangwer baling crew. She attended Pine Grove School and graduated from Wy’east High School in 1953.

Following high school, Betsy went to Oregon State University. While at OSU, she met her future husband, Kenneth Johnson, on a blind date. Betsy continued her education at OHSU School of Nursing. Betsy and Ken were married in June 1955 at the Pine Grove Methodist Church. Betsy and Ken’s first son, Alan, was born in 1957. Betsy graduated with her BS in nursing from OHSU in 1958.

The family then moved to The Dalles, where Ken and his brother Bill farmed the family’s wheat and cattle ranch in the Petersburg District. This was Betsy’s home, living there until early 2024. Betsy wrote of life on the family’s acreage, “The years spent there were an ideal place to raise our family, plus enjoying being a farmer and a farmer’s wife.”

Daughter Judy joined the family in 1959, and second son, Brian in 1962. Betsy and Ken supported the kids in school, 4-H, sports, etc. This would continue in the next generation — Betsy took all five grandkids to Grand Camp for many years. The family attended the United Methodist Church. Betsy’s participation with the church continued throughout her lifetime.

Betsy’s nursing career began in 1959 at The Dalles General Hospital. Her first days on the job involved moving patients from the hospital’s location on Fourth Street to the new hospital on the hill. She worked as a post-surgery nurse for 35 years, until 1993, usually working the evening shift (as she put it, “when the doctors were out of the way”).

Betsy cared for Ken through several years of cancer. Ken passed away in 1990 after 35 years of marriage.

In 1994, Betsy married Jerry Tanquist. They continued to live on the family farm until moving to The Springs this past year.

Betsy traveled to every corner of the U.S. and globe. She and Ken traveled to parts of Europe and Australia. Once Betsy retired, she and Jerry continued traveling, including a trip around the world in 1996.

Throughout her life, Betsy has been curious and interested in many things. She was an active person. She enjoyed knitting, baking, house improvements, and gardening. Hiking, backpacking, golfing, running “the flat,” and climbing the hills of home kept her fit. She was known for her dry sense of humor and strong work ethic. She always got the job done.

Betsy was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Johnson, and siblings Jack Gangwer, Fritz Gangwer, and Linda Walters.

Betsy is survived and missed by her second husband, Jerry Tanquist; her children, AJ (Kim) Johnson of Bend, Oregon, and their son Kendal (Kim); Judy (Joe) Powell of The Dalles, and their sons Jacob (McKenna) and Jonah (Aimee); Brian (Christy) Johnson of Vancouver, Washington, and his daughters Kelsey (Jon) and Laurie, and their son Liam; her four great-grandchildren; and her siblings Gene Gangwer, David Gangwer, and Karen Harrington.

The family is grateful for the amazing care of Bristol Hospice, The Springs, The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Ms. Nicole Pashek, ARNP, throughout Betsy’s health challenges this past year.

A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in The Dalles on Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. The service will be live streamed via Zoom at greaternw.zoom.us/j/725114495; Meeting ID: 725 114 495.

Arrangements are with Spencer Libby and Powell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Wasco County 4-H Association, 400 E Scenic Drive, Suite 2.278, The Dalles, OR 97058; 541-296-5494. Or: Bristol Hospice Foundation at bristolfoundation.org.

Harley Junior Gordineer, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 12, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Barbara Ann Hausinger, age 60, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away December 31, 2024. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

Thomas William Murphy, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away December 13, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.