DEAN HUMMELS
Dean Henry Hummels, a Camas resident, died in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the age of 59. He was born on July 1, 1949, in Vancouver, to Lucille Ann (Turpin) and Leslie Elmer Hummels but grew up in Woodland
He graduated from Woodland High School in 1967. He and Gretchen Eklund were married in 1975 in Silverton, Ore. He continued his education graduating from Washington State University in 1980 with his doctorate in veterinary medicine. Soon after that the couple moved to the Bingen/White Salmon area where he cared for local animals at Alpine Veterinary Hospital, endearing himself to the community. In 1991 the family moved to Camas where he opened Summit Animal Hospital in 1996.
In 1998 he suffered a debilitating stroke and had to give up working. But it didn't crush his spirit and he survived enjoying fishing and golfing. Other interests included reading and learning about and enjoying wine.
He was a faithful member of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Camas and volunteered for many organizations including CASA and Stroke Support in Clark County. Above all he was a 'people person.'
Mr. Hummels is survived by his wife Gretchen and daughter Erin, both of Camas; mother Lucille of Woodland; twin brother Gene of Vancouver; sisters Merry Jensen of Redmond, Ann Allen of Woodland and Carrie Zommers of Vancouver; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leslie in 2005.
A private graveside service will be held for the family at the Frank Abel Cemetery in Woodland. A memorial service celebrating his life was held Sunday. April 5, 2009, at 2 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Camas.
Memorials can be made to Ray Hickey Hospice House, Stroke Support of Clark County or Southwest Washington Humane Society.
Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation of Camas was in charge of the arrangements.
TERESA THYGESEN
Teresa Marie Thygesen, a Trout Lake resident, died March 31, 2009, in Portland, Ore. She was 47.
Miss Thygesen was born Feb. 28, 1962, in Astoria, Ore., to Ray and Sandra (Field) Thygesen. As a child she lived in Astoria, Portland and Walla Walla, where she graduated from high school. She has lived much of her adult life in Richland and Trout Lake.
Most recently she worked at the Safeway store in Hood River. She is survived by her parents Ray and Sandi Thygesen; sister Mary Anne Campbell-Thygesen; and brothers Bill, Tom, Joe and Bob Thygesen.
A service was held April 4, 2009, at St. Joseph The Woker Catholic Church in Portland. A local service is being planned to be held after Easter.
Omega Funeral & Cremation Service was entrusted with the arrangements.
RAY HOLTMANN
Raymond Eugene Holtmann died at his home in Trout Lake on March 31, 2009, at the age of 78. He was born in Elgin, Neb., on March 25, 1931, to Frederick and Nelly (Buckmaster) Holtmann.
The family moved west during his high school years and he graduated from Columbia High School in 1949. During the Korean War, Mr. Holtmann was stationed in Germany and this gave him the opportunity to see some of the European countryside. After his honorable discharge from the United States Army, he returned to White Salmon and was employed at Broughton Lumber.
In 1955, he met and married Luella Bauer. The couple had two children. For years, Mr. Holtmann worked in the logging industry, operating in various capacities but especially operating the log loader. From 1966 to 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, he was employed as a civilian worker operating a crane on the docks at Vung Tao. He worked on the Trans Atlantic Pipeline from 1970 to 1978. After the completion of the pipeline, he returned to Trout Lake, operating the Chevron station which he eventually sold to Joe and Eula Smith. After he sold the station he worked for Crowley-Maritime on barges, transporting cargo to Alaska. He remained in that employment until his retirement in 1995.
The Holtmanns continued to live in Trout Lake near both of their children and their grandchildren. Mrs. Holtmann died in 2007.
Mr. Holtmann is survived by his fiancee Gayle Krenz; children MaryLee Allaway and Larry Holtmann; grandchildren; brothers Fritz, Jerome, Bill, Kenny, Rick and Duane Holtmann and sisters Mary Ann Voigt and Verna Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his wife Luella and his sister Clara Nigro.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church in Trout Lake with Rev. Dorothy Franklin officiating and Mike Yarnell giving the eulogy.
Memorials may be given to the Trout Lake Fire Department.
Gardner Funeral Home handled arrangements.
RAY JOHNSON
Ray Johnson, longtime White Salmon resident, died at St. Vincent's Hospital after a minor surgery.
A celebration of life for Mr. Johnson will be held at the Elks Lodge in White Salmon on April 18 from 2 to 5 p.m.
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