Obituaries

She was born on July 7, 1915, in Woolum, Ark., to Le Roy and Ada Ellanora (Carringer) Fielder. She was a longtime member of the Husum Church of God. She was an avid reader and just last year wrote her family history, giving many family members copies of the manuscript to enjoy.

Over the years, she made hundreds of beautiful quilts, many of which she donated to people in need. But what was most important to Mrs. Wamsley was her family -- her family was her life.

Survivors include her children Irene Newman, BZ Corners, Wanda Rodgers, Underwood, Sammie McLoud, Yakima, James L. Wamsley, BZ Corners, Jeana Holtmann, White Salmon, Charles M. Wamsley, Glenwood, Cheri Owens, Gresham, Ore., Linda Breedlove, Weippe, Idaho, and Kathy Lombard, Milwaukie, Ore.; her brother, 93-year-old Everett Fielder, Wichita, Kansas; and many grand, great-grand, and great, great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry F. Wamsley and by four sons.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2001, at 1 p.m. at the Husum Church of God. Inurnment was private at White Salmon Cemetery.

GREGGORY KYTE

Greggory Jon Kyte, a White Salmon native, died at his home on May 22, 1901, at the age of 40, following a yearlong battle with liver cancer.

Mr. Kyte was born on Aug. 10, 1960, in White Salmon.

His childhood in this area was full of family adventures, camping in much loved campgrounds on the Lewis River and fishing with Grandpa Black. The Kyte family lived in Klickitat until he was 12, moving to White Salmon. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1978, following a life threatening battle with Hodgkin's disease in his senior year that involved chemo and radiation therapies.

Surviving Hodgkin's disease taught him to pursue his goals and take notice of the things that really mattered, giving him a faith in God that lasted all his life. he served the Lord in the Oakland, California mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for two years following high school.

In 1982, he returned home and then moved to Lehi, Utah, where he worked hard, achieving his degree in electronics and computer science.

In 1985, he began working as a civilian for Hill Air Force Base. He loved the work and continued there until his illness made work impossible. Excelling at his job, he received many awards and benefits for his diligence. He was well loved by the people he worked with, many of whom donated their vacation and leave time pay to help Mr. Kyte's family during his final illness.

Mr. Kyte married Christee Melody Stark on Feb. 6, 1991. His greatest happiness was to play with his 22-month-old son Noah, hold his wife, watch a good movie and enjoy a bowl of peanuts and popcorn. He leaves a legacy of love and laughter within his son Noah.

Mr. Kyte is survived by his wife, Christee and son Noah, Roy, Utah; mother Nora Kyte, White Salmon; father Kenneth Kyte, Chehalis; grandmother Nina Black, Husum; brothers David Kyte, Neskowin, Ore., Kevin Kyte, Skamania, and Daniel Kyte, Lyle; sister Erin Kyte, BZ Corners; and five nephews, two nieces and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in both the Black and Kyte families.

A funeral for Mr. Kyte was held on May 25, 2001, in Roy, Utah. An informal "celebration of life" memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorials for a trust fund for his son may be sent to Nora Kyte, PO Box 854, White Salmon, Wash. 98672, who will forward memorials to Christee Kyte in Utah.

RUTH BEVANS

Ruth Ziona Bevans, a former Columbia Gorge resident, died on June 3, 2001, in Tucson, Ariz., at the age of 89.

She was born in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 31, 1911, to Amos and Maize (Witherbe) Lasley. She lived in the Columbia Gorge most of her life. She loved the outdoors and liked to work in her garden when she was able.

Mrs. Bevans is survived by sister June Crooker, Vancouver; brother Waldo Lasley, Independence, Mo., sons Leo Stevenson, Kelso, and Victor Stevenson, Modesto, Calif.; daughters Donna Manning, Bingen, Claudia Stevenson, Napa, Calif., and Sharon Stacy, Hjo, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and seven great, great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Walter Bevans.

A private burial was held at the Stevenson Cemetery.

ELIZABETH SYVERTSEN

Elizabeth "Liz" Nagel Syvertsen, 93, a resident of The Dalles, died on May 31, 2001, in The Dalles.

She was born to Stephen and Lulu Nagel in Appleton on July 30, 1907. She was married to Arne Syvertsen for 58 years. They lived in Washington, Oregon and California. She and her husband loved to go camping and they camped and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. She enjoyed going huckleberrying on Mt. Adams and made super huckleberry pies.

She was known for her ready smile and cheerful disposition. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for 64 years.

She is survived by her daughter Dorothy Sethmann, Friend, Ore.; son Alfred Syvertsen, Saratoga, Calif.; granddaughter Elizabeth and great-granddaughter Janelle, Beaverton, Ore.; grandson John Sethmann, Point Reyes, Calif.; sisters Adeline Sorensen, Friend, Ore., and Margaret Johnson, Lyle; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, brother Louis Nagel and sisters Evelyn Shurtz and Marjory Gregory.

Graveside services was held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Appleton on June 2, 2001, at 2 p.m., with Asa Jenson officiating.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Gorge.

Arrangements were handled by Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home.

GLADYS GRAVES

Gladys Alvera Graves died at her home in White Salmon on June 4, 2001, at the age of 78.

Mrs. Graves was born on Oct. 6, 1922, in Vale, Ore., to Burton and Alvera (Skinner) Pickle. During her childhood, she and her family moved to many places including Wyoming and then Oregon where they lived in Burns, the Rogue River area and the coastal area. She moved to Wahkiacus in 1950, where her husband Edwin Anderson ran a sawmill and she cooked for the crew. He died on April 2, 1985. Mrs. Graves was involved in the Klickitat community. She was a part of Klickitat Canyon Days and helped start up the fire department. She also drove school bus and was the postmaster for Wahkiacus for over 20 years.

In 1991, she married Pete Graves. During the last 10 years, she loved traveling with Mr. Graves and his band around the Northwest. She also enjoyed visiting places such as Norway, Germany, the Philippines, the East Coast, and Branson, Mo. She lived playing cards and the harmonica and meeting new people. She was known for saying what she thought.

Mrs. Graves is survived by her husband Pete Graves, White Salmon; daughters Sandra Atterbery, Lebanon, Ore., and Karen Schlangen, Klickitat; sons John Anderson, Wasco, Calif., George Anderson, White Salmon, and Kelvin Anderson, Klickitat; individuals considered as her son and daughter Walter "Bud" Massengale, Tri Cities, and Rhonda Pierce, Dallas, Ore.; brothers Jim Roberts and Earl Woodruff, Burns, Ore., sister Roberta Hopper, Burns, Ore.; 12 grandchildren 15 great-grandchildren, and four great, great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Graves were held on Friday, June 8, 2001, at 3 p.m. at Gardner Chapel in White Salmon, with interment at Wahkiacus.

Arrangements were handled by Gardner Funeral Home of White Salmon.

ROBERT NIELSEN

Robert Allen Nielsen died on June 1, 2001.

Mr. Nielsen was born April 2, 1919, in Mollala, Ore., to Martin and Elizabeth Nielsen. His parents moved to Mill A in 1926. The family came in an old Model T Ford truck piled high with family possessions. He graduated from Stevenson High School in 1937. While in high school, he drove school bus from Mill A, picking up kids at Home Valley and Nelson Creek. In 1942, he was drafted into the infantry and after two days transferred to the Air Force. He spent five and a half years in the service, serving in France and England as an aircraft inspector.

He worked at Broughton Lumber Company for 26 years as a foreman and millwright. He had a talent for repairing and building anything. In 1972, he elected to go to Alaska and try commercial fishing in Prince William Sound. After pursuing the elusive salmon for nine years, he retired to spend more time hunting and working on his place.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years Marilyn Nielsen; daughters Diane Kraus, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Robin Nielsen, Bremerton; son Robert Lewis Nielsen, Woodland; two grandsons and one granddaughter; and sister Viola Gilson, Stevenson. He was preceded in death by brothers Fred and Carl Nielsen.

At his request, there were no services.

Memorials may be given to the White Salmon Elks Lodge.

DARLENE NORLUND

Darlene Ann (Krall Usher) Norland died Friday, June 8, 2001, surrounded by family at Oregon Health Sciences University due to complications following surgery.

With further sorrow, granddaughter Amy Usher and a great-grandchild were lost in a car accident near Pomeroy on Sunday, June 10, 2001.

Mrs. Norlund was born to Homer and Rose (Gilligan) Krall on Oct. 24, 1940, in White Salmon, and spent her life in the Northwest.

In 1957, she married William "Bill" Usher. They had two sons and a daughter. The family was active throughout the Northwest in rodeo. She cared for her husband through his battle with kidney disease until his death in 1972.

In 1987, she married longtime friend Mel Norlund. They loved to fish and travel the U.S. But most of all, she lived to spend time with her family, especially the grandchildren.

In 1994, Mrs. Norlund was the grateful and pround recipient of a live-saving liver transplant. Her will to live surpassed even the doctor's optimism gifting her with seven years while being lovingly cared for by Mel.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Norlund was a source of unconditional love and support to many. Her door and heart were always open to friends and family, old and new. She was certain to have felt great pride as her family came together in the hospital, bringing her comfort.

She is survived by husband Mel, White Salmon; mother Rose, Hood River; sons Rick, Kamiah, Idaho, and Darrell, Carson; daughter Terri, Portland, Ore.; brothers Ray Krall, Carson, and Ed Krall, Goldendale; sisters Sharon Thomas, Stevenson; Karon Jasperson, Lyle; Sheila Abariotes, Spokane; and Jaci Foster, Goldendale; grandchildren Danielle Usher and Billy Usher, Kamiah, Krystal Usher, North Bonneville, Bill Darrell Usher, Carson, Jordan Usher, White Salmon, and Alex and Bryan Usher, Carson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, stepchildren, in-laws and friends.

There will be graveside services and a celebration of life for friends and family to share photos, stories and memories.

MARGARET TOBIN

Margaret Pearl (Niva) Tobin of Goldendale, died on June 7, 2001, in Goldendale, at the age of 80.

She was born on May 30, 1921, in Centerville to August and Ruth (Stackhouse) Niva. She grew up in Centerville and graduated from Centerville High School. She and Jack Tobin were married on June 19, 1939 in Goldendale.

The couple had one daughter Sue (Tobin) Bellamy and made their home in Klickitat until moving to Goldendale in 1996.

She was a member of the Centerville Church of Christ as well as the Ladies Union Auxiliary in Klickitat. She also served on the Klickitat School Board.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was known as "Nanny" to all her grandchildren. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She spent much of her time traveling to any event her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved in. She also loved to vacation with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter Sue Bellamy, Goldendale; grandchildren Don Bellamy Jr., John Bellamy and Michael Bellamy; great-grandchildren Don III, Margaret, Kacey, Kelley and Makenna; brother Eugene Niva and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Tobin, her brother Ronald Niva and her parents.

Pastor Ed Kelsey will conduct graveside services at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2001, at the Mountain View Cemetery in Goldendale.

Erdman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.