Norma Lee Garcia, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on May 11, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, in the Fall. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
In Loving Memory of Barbara Ann Osborn
March 6, 1965 – May 1, 2025
Barbara Ann Osborn lived life on her own terms, meeting every challenge with grit and an infectious laugh that could brighten even the darkest day. She passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, surrounded by the people who mattered most: her children and family, who never left her side through all of life’s twists and turns.
Barbara’s greatest pride was being a mother to three children: Michael Hegewald and his wife Rebecca, Denise Farrell and her husband Shamus, and Nathaniel Jones and his wife Alyssa. Her love for her family only grew with the arrival of her six grandchildren: Clancy Farrell, married to Meg Farrell (stepfather to Maddie), Cloei Farrell, Hailey Farrell, Nathaniel Farrell, Ayden Jones, and Gabriel. With them, she built the warm, accepting family she had always dreamed of—one where everyone belonged.
Friendship was another anchor in Barbara’s life, and her friends meant the world to her. Among them, her best friend of fifty years, Scott Donavan, held an especially cherished place. Scott was by her side in every season of life, and in her final days, he held her hand until the end. Together, they even wrote a song—a testament to their lifelong bond and the joy they found in each other’s company. Another lifelong friend, Wanda Vandeventer, was a constant source of comfort and faith for Barbara. Over the years and especially in her last days, Wanda spent countless hours on the phone with Barbara, praying with her and offering steadfast support and love when it was needed most.
Barbara’s love stretched far beyond her immediate family. She cherished every one of her nieces and nephews, her aunts and uncles, and grandparents. Family gatherings were never complete without her warmth, laughter, and genuine interest in the lives of all her relatives. She took pride in being part of a bigger family network, finding joy in their accomplishments, sharing in their struggles, and making each one feel valued.
Her generosity and motherly spirit spilled out into the town she called home. It wasn’t just her own family who felt her warmth—over fifty children in the community called her “Mom” or “Nana.” She welcomed them all with open arms, offering support, a listening ear, and a safe place to land. To Barbara, every child deserved to feel loved and accepted, and she made sure no one ever left her presence without a sense of belonging.
Life wasn’t always easy for Barbara. She navigated complex family dynamics and loss, but her love for her siblings ran deep. She is survived by her siblings: David Smith (and wife Graciela), Steven Catron (and wife Leah), and her sister April Catron. She was preceded in death by her mother Carol Catron and father Archer “Corky” Jones. Through it all, Barbara found her own path, determined to create happiness wherever she could.
Those closest to her knew Barbara as someone who could find humor in almost any situation. She delighted in life’s simple pleasures—watching videos of monkeys on her phone, or just sitting with her kids and grandkids. Her love for animals revealed the gentle heart beneath her strong spirit, and she kept her wit and sense of humor sharp until her very last days.
Barbara’s true legacy is the family she built—her children, grandchildren, and the strength, resilience, and joy she passed on to them. She taught us that family is something you create, and that laughter, even in hard times, can carry you through.
May she rest in peace, knowing she succeeded in what mattered most: building a loving family of her own, filling their lives with warmth, acceptance, and endless laughter, and holding her friends—and all those who needed her—close, always.
Lee Charles Kaseberg, age 85, a resident of Wasco, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Portland on May 7, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
The gates to heaven must need a little welding because on May 3rd, 2025, Keith Smith, beloved farmer and rancher, officially fired up the big welder in the sky and got to work. Born August 21st, 1937, and raised in the Dufur countryside, he spent his life tending to his crops and cattle with the dedication that can only come from someone who truly loves what he does.
Keith enjoyed riding horses, hunting and fishing, and working in his shop. But his shop wasn’t just a shop — it was a sanctuary and gathering place where young and old came to hear some of his well-earned wisdom. Keith fondly referred to these sacred sessions as “choir practice,” though it’s unclear if any hymns were actually ever sung. What is clear is that the place was filled with gossip, laughter, questionable political correctness, and enough empty beer cans to make it qualify as a recycling center.
Keith leaves behind many vehicles that may or may not start without a small prayer and a large kick and a herd of cats his deceased wife collected, and he pretended not to like – but always tried to coax one onto his lap to watch Perry Mason.
Keith is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Ryan, grandson Taylor, nieces Marni and Carrie, and nephews Jeremy and Brian.
Services will be held on May 18th at noon at Spencer, Libby, and Powell funeral home and burial at the Kingsley Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held immediately after at Dave Wilson’s shop where guests are encouraged to wear suspenders, bring their favorite beer, and tell a good story. Extra points if it involves Keith, someone falling off a horse, or both.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funereal Home in care of arrangements.
Priscilla J Dodson, age 102, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on April 24, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Jon Christian Thomsen, age 66, a resident of Hood River, OR, passed away at home on May 4, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Jerry S Davis was born in The Dalles, OR, October 8, 1939, to George M and Eva Anderson Davis. He was a fifth generation Oregonian. Jerry attended schools in The Dalles, graduating in 1957 from The Dalles High School. He received a BS Degree in Business from Oregon State University in 1961. Following college ROTC, Jerry entered the Navy, serving two years on the USS Iwo Jima. After his release from active duty, he continued with the Navy Reserve, serving for a total of 25 years and rising to the rank of Commander.
Jerry owned and managed Mill Creek Orchard and his family’s George M Davis Orchard. He was a former President of the Oregon Horticultural Society. Jerry Loved his family, Beaver football and gymnastics, steam locomotives, the old Baldwin Saloon, his Wednesday chapel group, and everything “Navy.” He taste-tested 4-H cooking projects, was a cub scout leader, helped with high school girls’ soccer, and was a school board member.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 61 years, Peggy Healy Davis; daughters, Cynthis L Kliewer and husband Kyle, Kara K Davis; son, George M Davis and wife Heather. Jerry was a proud “Papa” to six grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Nicole, and Emily Kliewer, Zain Hartsook, Parker and Addie Davis; sister, Georgia Davis Ordway. Jerry leaves behind many nieces and nephews, including great-great niece Macey Vice and great-great nephew Michael Vice.
A Memorial Service is to be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cove Ascension School, 1104 Church Street, Cove, OR 97824 or to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development Department, 875 Randolph St. Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Peggy S. Childs, 102, a resident of The Dalles, OR, went to join the Lord and her beloved husband on April 29, 2025. Born on September 24, 1922. She was the oldest of three children of John D and Margaret Alderman Shelburne of Dayton. OR.
Peggy attended school in Dayton and was named salutatorian of her graduating class. She later graduated from Oregon State College (now OSU) with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. It was at OSC that she met and married her sweetheart, David Childs.
Their lives were interrupted by World War II, Peggy spent several agonizing months while David, a fighter pilot, was listed as “Missing in Action” after being shot down by German forces, then spending time is several POW camps. After the war both returned to OSC to finish their degrees. They then moved to Arlington to operate David’s family farm on Shuttler Flat. In 1951 they welcomed a son, Chris, and in 1954 a daughter, Kathleen.
Peggy’s greatest joys were family, cooking, and gardening. She was a loving and devoted wife and supported the children’s education at the nearby small Olex school; she was always ready to sew uniforms or costumes as needed. She was a mainstay member of the locally renowned “Mikkalo Grange cooks” and prepared summer meals for harvest crews. Her cooking was second to none. Her large gardens always provided an abundance of fresh produce.
Peggy also stayed involved in community activities, serving a term on the local historical society board and for many years as treasurer of her church.
In 1989 David and Peggy retired and moved to The Dalles. Traveling quickly became a favorite pastime The couple particularly enjoyed a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia and later a lengthy visit to Siberia. From the latter adventure Peggy penned and published a small book entitled “A Trip to Siberia,” focusing in large part on the many exotic foods they encountered along the way.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Jack, sister, Mary Ann and husband David (with whom she spent an astounding 77 wonderful years).
Peggy is survived by her son Chris and his wife Denise of Silverton, OR, daughter Kathleen “Kit” Kamo and husband Curt of Caldwell, ID, grandson, David Kamo and his wife Rhiannon, and two great-grandchildren, Kobe and Khloe.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 pm on May 10, 2025, at The Springs at Mill Creek “Spring Room”, 1201 W 10th St., The Dalles, OR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gilliam County Historical Society of The Dalles United Methodist Church.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements. Special thanks to the caring staff of The Springs at Mill Creek as well as the compassionate people at Provident Hospice.
Mari Lavelle Dyball, age 70, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on April 16, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Michael Geri McDermott, age 75, a resident of Vancouver, WA, passed away at the Oregon Veterans Home on April 24, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
April 21st 1934 – January 1st 2025
A loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. Lois passed away on January 1st, 2025, at home with her family by her side.
She was born on April 21st, 1934, to Eunice and Edward Kraninger. She graduated from Hartly High School in Iowa in 1953. Lois enjoyed athletics and was proud to tell stories of her All-State basketball recognition. After High School Lois worked at Woodmen of the World Life Insurance for seven years. She married Ron Lueders in 1956. They were married for 20years. They had three daughters, Rhonda Lueders-Tibbets, Brenda Schubert, and Linda Tibbets. While raising her daughters Lois spent 32 years providing in-home child care for local families, followed by five years of foster care and ten years of senior care.
On December 18th of 1987 Lois married the love of her life Bob Rose. They were married for nine years until his passing.
In 2011 Lois moved to Oregon. During her time in Oregon she could be spotted out dancing, swimming or playing cards. She rarely missed her grandkids sporting events. As the years passed she was also able to enjoy time with her eight great grandchildren here in Oregon and Olathe, Kansas.
Lois made friends wherever she went and was always up for new adventures. She loved to travel with friends and family. She often reminded us that “she left no stone unturned”.
Lois was loved by many. She always “felt that she had a guardian angel”. Her loved ones now feel they have a guardian angel of their own. She will be missed dearly.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 17, 2025, from 1 to 3pm at the Dufur Park.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Ruth Irene Brown, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at a local care facility on April 24, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Rhue Dean VanCleave, age 88, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away at home on April 23, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Juanita June (Crofford) Carpenter, 97, passed peacefully on April 24, 2025, at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon. Juanita was born on August 27, 1927, in Yakima, Washington. She was the oldest of five children born to Abram and Evelyn Crofford.
Raised in Whitefish, Montana during the depression, she graduated high school in Cut Bank, Montana in 1945. She spent the war years working for Bell Telephone, in Shelby, Montana, as a switchboard operator. In 1946-47, Juanita enrolled at Northwest Nazarene College, where she majored in Elementary Education. There, she also met her future husband, Donald Carpenter, who was majoring in Music Education. They were married in 1948, and four years later started their family.
Juanita, Donald, and their two boys spent many years in Idaho and Montana before moving to The Dalles, Oregon, in 1957. Juanita took a job as a bookkeeper with the Apex Finance Company. However, having an appreciation for the arts, and being a talented piano player, it wasn’t long before she was hired by The Dalles School District #12 as an elementary music education specialist. Juanita would travel from school to school, classroom to classroom, teaching music appreciation, singing, and playing simple instruments.
During the summers, Juanita and her husband would pack up the family, move to Portland, and attend summer school at Portland State University. In doing so, Juanita finished her degree in Elementary Education. With a Bachelor's of Science certificate in hand, Juanita accepted a 3rd grade teaching position at Dry Hollow Elementary.
When her children were independent enough, she again enrolled at Portland State University in pursuit of a Masters degree. Juanita would commute to Portland for classes during the day, only to return home in time to give piano lessons.
Possessing an affinity for the arts, and as a noted bibliophile, Juanita was awarded with a Master’s degree in Media Science. These credentials allowed her to finish her career in the service of youth in the community as a school librarian. In fact, one of her granddaughter’s-in-law vividly remembers how engaging her library was at Colonel Wright Elementary, no doubt partly due to the introduction of Apple Computers and “The Oregon Trail” computer game, as well as Juanita’s ability to share her love of books. True to form, Juanita’s family is still discovering in her possession personally signed tomes by the likes of authors such as Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, and Beverly Cleary.
When it came time to retire from serving the school community, Juanita remained engaged with philanthropic organizations such as P.E.O. International and Daughters of the American Revolution, volunteering as a Docent at Maryhill Museum of Art, she had substantial social involvement in Bridge and Golf at The Dalles Country Club, and the Swap and Swing Square Dance Club. She was, later in life, limited with her active travel time enjoyment due to a freak accident that severely limited her ability to use her legs and hands.
Juanita is survived by her sister, Naomi (Phillip) Beymer of Eugene, Oregon; her son Michael (Lynn) Carpenter of The Dalles, Oregon; her grandsons Kyle (Jennifer) Carpenter of Aurora, Oregon, and Cory (Karyn) Carpenter of Bozeman, Montana; three great-grandsons, Conley, Kase, and Cutler; and one great-granddaughter, Wren. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son, Steven; parents, and brothers, Calvin, Norman, and Donald Crofford.
Juanita will be remembered for her love of teaching youth, her fierce intellect, her knowledge and appreciation of art, fashion, film, music, and literature, her wonderful culinary talents, her dry sense of humor, and the overall class that she conveyed. She was truly quite the lady, admired for how she could do whatever she set out to do. Donations, in her honor, may be made to the The Dalles-Wasco County Library, or the Oregon Veterans Home. Her family would like to give special thanks for their wonderful care and support at OVH.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spencer, Libby, and Powell; 1100 Kelly Ave., The Dalles, Oregon, where condolences/remembrances may be directed.
Renee Adair Stauffer, age 66, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at a local care facility on April 6, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Jerry Shelly Davis, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Providence Hospital on April 17, 2025. a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Donna Mae Davis, age 94, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at home on April 19, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Charles Allen Stanek, age 94, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Hospital on April 18, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Gina Marie Turner, age 67, a resident of Lyle, WA, passed away at home on April 13, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Alexander William Macnab, age 71, a resident of Dufur, OR, passed away at home on April 22, 2025. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.