Rodeo adds bull riding - The Star of Grand Coulee

Page 4
Obituaries
James “Jim” George Birdwell
James “Jim” George Birdwell
passed away and went to his eternal
home on Friday, June 22, 2012.
He was born July 18, 1946, in Harlem,
Mont. He grew up in Coulee
Dam and graduated in 1964 from
Coulee Dam High School. Jim retired
from the United States Army
as a Sergeant First Class where
he served with distinction over
20 years, also serving two tours of
duty in Vietnam. After his military
duty, Jim continued his service to
our country as a Department of the
Army civilian, instructing soldiers
for over 20 years on their military
occupational specialty. Jim touched
thousands of lives through his
service in the military, from his
service as a DOD civilian to working
as a volunteer assistant Fire
Chief in Grovetown, Ga.
Jim was preceded by his parents,
the late George and Joyce
Birdwell and his brother Robert
Birdwell.
He is survived by his wife Irma
Clara Margaret Sears
What’s the secret to living long
enough to be able to celebrate
your 105 th birthday? “Everything
in moderation” she had said. Her
father’s advice to his children.
On June 16, 2012, after four
strong startling, and surprising
sneezes and a calming sigh, Clara
Margaret Sears, 108, laid her head
back on her own pillow, in her own
room of five years at Serene Meadows
Adult Family Home and passed
away in Davenport, Wash. She was
surrounded by family, including
her first great-grandson, Michael,
from Portland, Ore.
The family of Serene
Meadows staff were
the last names on her
lips; which is indicative
of how much she was
loved and cared for.
She was born Clara
Margaret Zurbrugg
on January 9, 1904, in
Latty, Ohio, to Frederick
and Katherine
Merz Zurbrugg. Frederick
and his first wife
emigrated from Bern, Switzerland
in 1873. At age, six months
she came to Washington state
by train, accompanied by her
family and her own grandfather,
Julian Zurbrugg. They settled
on a mountain ridge west of the
Colville Ranch, Fruit Hill Ranch in
Stevens County, Wash.
Clara’s father had been
widowed with three
sons when he married
Katherine. Clara’s half
brothers were Edward,
George, and Harve. She
had an older brother,
August, two younger
brothers, Ernest and
Alfred and two younger
sisters, Helen and Hilda
(all preceding Clara in
death). Grandpa Julian
lived alone until his death in a
small farm house down the road
from the family. As the family
expanded, Frederick built a larger
home in the Greenwood area of
Meyers Falls, closer to a school.
The stories of early school days,
walks homes, pranks played by
siblings will be remembered by
those she shared with. Raised a
devout Lutheran and catechism
instruction overseen by her father,
she was confirmed at age 16.
Clara desired a high school
education, the first in the family.
Clara lived with a Colville family
and shared a room with a Carol
White. According to Clara, the
account of working for room and
board was not accurate…she did
help when she could. She graduated
from Colville High School in
1921, at age 17. She concentrated
on business and secretarial skills
during her education which proved
valuable when working for the
US Post Office and typing War
Bonds.
After high school, Clara moved
to Chewelah and worked at the
creamery there in the office. She
met Clarence Eugene Sears and
they got a marriage license December
31, 1922, and were married the
next day…1923 New Year’s Day.
The couple had four children; three
in their home in Chewelah attended
by aunties, while Clarence
worked as postmaster. Pauline
was born in 1924 and passed away
2009. Her spouse Don Crowther
remains in Wyoming. Lois was
born in 1926 and her surviving
husband Elten Klein is presently
residing in Almira and Spokane,
Lois passed away in 1981. Neal
Sears was born in 1928 and passed
away in 2011. Neal is survived
by his wife, June Sears, residing
in Chewelah. Clara is survived
by her son, Richard Sears and
his wife Karen of Alameda, Calif.
Richard was the first male baby
born in the new Kaiser Mason
City Hospital…always a favorite
story about Clara coming to Coulee
Dam at the start of construction
in 1934 on a bus from Chewelah
Brigitte Birdwell of Columbia, S.C.;
sons: Jeffrey Alexander Birdwell,
Lutz-Martin Birdwell and Jamie
Payton; daughter, Sheri Payton;
a sister and brother-in-law Faye
and Donald Bodeau; brother and
sister-in-law Jerry and Julanne
Birdwell; sister Carmen Lofton;
grandchildren: Tylyr, Tamar, Vanessa,
Jacob, Samantha, Sarah and
Farah; as well as several nieces
and a nephew.
The eulogy was held June 26 at
Greenlawn Funeral Home Chapel.
After the services concluded Jim
was buried at Fort Jackson National
Cemetery with full military
honors. In lieu of flowers, family
requests donations of remembrance
be made to the Amedisys
Home Health and Hospice Care,
220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 105,
Columbia, S.C. 29210.
The family has entrusted Greenlawn
Funeral Home with the arrangements.
with Neal on her lap and the girls
next to her…Clara was pregnant
with Richard on that bus ride.
They lived in Mason City across
the street from Henry and Edgar
Kaiser…who, until their deaths,
Clara stayed in touch with them
as old neighbors.
Clarence became the postmaster
of Mason City, in 1934 and later
after it was renamed Coulee Dam,
and officially became Coulee Dam
postmaster in 1942. Clara became
a postal employee and retired 1.5
years after her husband in 1963.
The couple were founding
members of the
Methodist Church in
Coulee Dam. Clarence
and Clara boldly sold
their home, and many
possessions, bought an
Airstream trailer and
traded a station wagon
for a Suburban wagon
so they could travel
across the country in
style. The couple met
many incredible people
and their address book and correspondence
list grew with each stop
and visit. They enjoyed the Wally
Bynum Airstream Caravans. For
winters, they eventually settled
in a mobile home park in the new
Palm Springs suburb called Cathedral
City…where Clara resided
by herself until 2007
at age 103; Clarence
passed away in 1969
of cancer. Clarence
and Clara attended
the church of the
Eisenhowers and
she stayed with the
Methodist Church
during her residency
in California; however,
she still professed
to be a Lutheran.
Traveling never
ceased for Clara. She was accompanied
by her sister Helen, daughter
and son-in-law on numerous
cruises and trips: China, Africa,
Australia, Greenland, and South
America.
Her life was becoming lonely
recently with the passing of her
children, and a grandson. She has
outlived her friends, her doctors,
her dentists, eye doctors, and sadly,
even many of her fellow residents
in Serene Meadows. Despite this,
her giggles, smiles, and “quirky”
mannerisms and behaviors endeared
her to all whom she me
tsince moving (despite much grievous
and inflammatory feelings
about not going back to warmth
and sunshine). The day she flew
from Palm Springs in June of
2007 the temperature was 120
degrees at the airport. Her children
making the decision to have
her remain North where she could
be assisted with monitoring and
visits by family more available.
Her grandson Norman (Pauline’s
son), residing in Utah, faithfully
called his grandma every night at
7:30 p.m.
Clara celebrated her last four
birthdays, at brunches with family
and friends at Northern Quest
Casino (staff remembering her
each year). Clara is survived
by 12 grandchildren, 21 greatgrandchildren,
and 31.5 greatgreat-grandchildren
(one due in
September) and several greatgreat-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on
Monday, June 25, at 11 a.m. at the
Chapel of Strate Funeral Home,
Davenport. Concluding services
and vault interment followed at
Spring Canyon Cemetery, Grand
Coulee, at 3 p.m.
Please go to www.stratefuneralhome.com
to sign the guestbook.
Strate Funeral Home, Davenport,
is caring for the family.
Local weight loss
queen to get
international honor
Gayle Rayoum, of Coulee Dam,
was crowned Washington State
Queen at the TOPS (Take Off
Pounds Sensibly) State Convention
in Ocean Shores in May.
Rayoum lost a total of 118
pounds to reach her goal and graduated
as a KOPS (Keep Pounds
Off Sensibly).
She will represent the state
of Washington at TOPS International
Recognition Days in San
Diego, July 5-7.
Gale was also a Division winner
with a 112.5-pound loss for 2011.
TOPS is a non-profit support
group.
In 2011, TOPS members internationally
lost 863,738.98 pounds
or 431.87 tons. Washington State
TOPS members lost 26,406.75
pounds.
Births in the Coulee
Join the Fight!
In an e� ort to stamp out breast
cancer, CMC and local businesses are
teaming up to promote breast health
awareness throughout the year.
In June, anyone who receieves a
mammogram at CMC will be entered
for a chance to win a local gift
certi� cate!
In addition to the monthly drawings,
Loepp’s will be giving out a
$200.00 gift certi� cate every
quarter.
It is our goal to encourage and
reward women who are proactive
about getting these important health
screenings!
Call today
to schedule your
appointment!
509-633-1753
Gayle Rayoum seen before and
after her loss of 118 pounds.
- submitted photos
It’s a boy for Desautel
Racheal Marie Desautel of Nespelem is pleased to announce the
birth of her son Mackiah Lee Tom on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Coulee
Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz., and was
21-1/2 inches in length at birth.
Siblings include brother Zayden Desautel, age 4, brother Damian
Tom, age 1 and sisters Mackenzie and Simarah.
It’s a girl for the Boyds
Kimberly and Dakota Boyd of Coulee Dam are proud to announce
the birth of their daughter Hailee Caroline Boyd on Sunday, June 10,
2012, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 6 lbs.,
14 oz., and was 19 inches in length at birth.
Siblings include Shaelynn and Larissa Jack, Ambrose Adolph and
Brayden Desautel. Maternal grandparents are Pamela Desautel and
Casey Nissen. Paternal grandparents are Shelly and Jim Boyd.
It’s a girl for the Sweigerts
Rayana and Dane Sweigert of Almira are pleased to announce the
birth of their daughter Natalie Pinkette Sweigert.
Siblings include Ariana age 3-1/2 and Veryk age 2.
Maternal grandparents are Debbie and Donald Bragg. Greatgrandmother
is Mildred Geiger.
It’s a boy for Kandice Scott
Kandice Scott of Lincoln, Wash., is pleased to announce the birth of
her son Rayden Edwin Scott on Sunday, June 17, 2012. He weighed 6
lbs., 8 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth.
Siblings include Char-Mae Scott Mellinger age 4.
Grandparents are Patricia Card of Lincoln and Robert Scott of
Bonny Lake.
June Gift Certi� cates:
$40.00 at
Siam Palace
$60.00 at
Good Medicine Massage
No purchase necessary.
Contact CMC Radiology for details.
Class of 2002
.
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Welcomes you
Everyone’s invited.
Pastor Adrian Harris
2 miles east of Hwy 155 on Hwy 174
Sunday School .............................. 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship .......................... 10:45 a.m.
Church office 633-2186
Church Website: www.grandcouleenaz.com
COULEE DAM
COMMUNITY CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN (U.S.A.)
Offers You a Warm Welcome!
PASTOR KEVIN LIND
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Worship Service ................................... 10 a.m.
Nursery Care Available
509 Central Drive, Coulee Dam
Church: 633-1790
www.couleedamchurch.org
FAITH COMMUNITY
A Foursquare Church
PASTOR STEVE ARCHER
NOW MEETING IN OUR NEW BUILDING
16 Grand, Electric City
Sunday Morning Service: ......................10 a.m.
KIDS’s CHurch and Nursery
Call the Church Office 633-1244 to find out
about other regular scheduled meetings.
Come Worship The Lord!
Meetings
Pre-Registration for
The STar • JUNe 27, 2012
reunionJune 30
The Lake Roosevelt High School class of 2002 will hold its 10 th
year reunion on Saturday, June 30. Please bring you own everything
to Spring Canyon anytime from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Look for the red and
gold balloons!
All family, friends and teachers are warmly welcome. For more
information and a list of classmates we are still searching for, please
visit Facebook and search events for “LRHS Class of 2002 – Ten Year
Reunion.”
gCd Ch a M b e r To Me e T aT ho M e T o W n pi z z a
Grant Chamber will meet at Hometown Pizza in Grand Coulee this
Thursday at noon. The Festival of America will be held July 3 and 4
in the park below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam. The next
meeting, July 12 will be held at Sunbank’s Resort on the patio.
gr a n T Co u n T y po r T di sT r iC T 7 To Me e T
Grant County Port District 7 will hold its regular monthly meeting
Thursday, June 28 at 5 p.m. at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport office.
CMC gu i l d To Me e T
CMC Guild will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, July 19, at
Pepper Jack’s Bar and Grille in Grand Coulee. A not-host lunch will
begin at 11 a.m. with the meeting to follow at noon.
ho o p Fi e n d al e r T
The Ephrata Rotary Club will offer a 3-on-3 tournament July 20 and
21, with games starting that Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The club took over the event formerly associated with the Basin Summer
Sounds concert and renamed the tournament “Rim 2 Rim”.
Team categories start at third grade and run through adult.
Register a team before July 8 for $100. After that it goes up to
$125.
Register with a form downloaded from www.ephratarotary.com. Check
the download column on the right.
Lavender Wreath Classes
Class Limited to 8 • Don’t Miss This Opportunity
$25 A Wreath
2 class times on Sat., June 30 * 10 a.m. and/or 2 p.m.
Register online at springcanyonalpacas.com
or Call 509.633.2854, leave message.
D&M GARDENS/
SpRiNG CANyoN AlpACAS
44581 Stagecoach lane, Grand Coulee
Mary Jo Monteith - 509.633.2854/509.633.3440
e-mail: springcanyonalpacas@gmail.com
Saturday. July 7th 9-5pm • Gala Concert Event 6-9pm
Sunday. July 8th 10-4pm
The City Park, 1st and Calispel in
Newport, WA
Admission: $5 for adults;
Children 12 & under FREE
Enjoy juried artists, artisans and growers
while shopping 75 booths in a shady,
relaxed atmosphere.
BANKS LAKE BIBLE CHURCH
25 School Avenue, Electric City, 633-0670
Affiliated with I.F.C.A./N.I.C.E.
Pastor Bill Williams
Everyone Welcome!
Sunday School, all ages ............ 9:30 a.m.
Coffee Fellowship .................... 10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship ..................... 10:45 a.m.
Evening Worship ....................... 6:00 p.m.
Prayer ............................ Wed., 11:00 a.m.
Bible Study ............................. Wed., noon
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Welcomes You for Worship & Praise
103 Continental Heights, Grand Coulee
Church (509) 633-3030
Pastor Mel Pond (509) 775-8129
Saturday Bible Study ............................ 9:30 a.m.
Children’s Bible Story Time ................ 10:00 a.m.
Saturday Worship Service ...................11:00 a.m.
All Church Fellowship ......................... 12:30 p.m.
Midweek Bible Study Wednesday ............ 6 p.m.
UNITED METHODIST
Modeling our ministry after the New Testament
405 Center St., Grand Coulee
Monty Fields/Tom & Elizabeth Poplawski
Certified Lay Ministers
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Church Office 633-0980
Worship Service ............................... 10:00 a.m
Thursday Bible Study ........................ 1:30 p.m.
Join us every 3rd Sunday for brunch
and fellowship following worship service.
.
Lavender Demonstrations
Wine and Microbrew Garden.
Unique items for sale at
the Festival Store.
Children’s art activities and fairies.
lavenderfestival@live.com
www.povlavenderfestival.com
ZION LUTHERAN
PASTOR SHAWN NEIDER
348 Mead Street, Grand Coulee
Church 633-2566
Coulee City Bible Study ....................... 8:00 a.m.
Coulee City Worship ............................ 9:00 a.m.
Zion Worship .......................................11:00 a.m.
Nursery Available • NEED A RIDE? CALL 633-2566