Spokesman Classifieds

November 18, 1928 - July 14, 2024 Sacramento — Margaret, a native of Viola, ID, died peacefully at her son's home in Sacramento, CA, on Sunday, June 14, 2024, after a brief illness. She was 95. She was preceded in death by two older brothers, Frank and Lawrence Weber of Moscow, ID; a younger sister, Katherine Weber Starr of Hillsboro, OR; and her husbands, Art Nelson and Slim Baumgartner. Margaret was born on the family farm in Viola, ID, where the family is still active in the Palouse farming community producing wheat, barley, lentils, and peas on the family's 360 acres. She attended elementary school at Viola and graduated from Moscow High School in 1946. She attended the University of Idaho from 1946-1950 and graduated with a degree in home economics. She moved to Lewiston, to work for the Idaho Extension Service. The beginning of the 1950s was the beginning of the use of electric appliances in farming communities in that area where her duties were to teach farm and city housewives the use of this new technology. (How to cook with an electric stove, use of a refrigerator and freezer, sewing and washing machines and other home appliances that we take for granted today, food canning and preserving fruits and vegetables.) This job required her to travel to farm homes and homes in the Northern areas of Washington and Idaho and also advising Four-H groups. In 1950-51, she met and married Arthur Lee Nelson, of Lewiston. Their only son, Arthur Scott Nelson, was born in 1952, and later that year they moved to Spokane, WA, where Art was a salesman for Craft Foods, and Margaret was a demonstrator for Craft at local stores in the area. In 1957, she became the Home Economist for the Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread Hostess Cakes). One of her main duties was the educational bakery tours to school groups, teaching them about the wheat production in the Inland Empire, how wheat is made into flour and then bread and cake. If anyone from the 1950s-'60s remembers a trip through the Wonder Bread Bakery, it was probably Margaret who took them through. In the early 1970s, she worked for the Spokane Community College system teaching special needs young adults how to live on their own. In the late '70s, she worked for Amfac Electric where she demonstrated and gave classes on how to use Litton microwave ovens. She and Art would travel throughout Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana teaching clients how to cook and not be afraid of this new technology. (She would do the talking while Art passed around food samples that she'd prepared.) With the advancement, knowledge, and major purchasing of microwaves, the internet became the demise of the on-sight educational program that was no longer needed. She retired from being a Home Economist in the 1980s. Margaret and Art traveled to Canada and Europe before retiring to Yuma, AZ, until Art died in 1999. In 2000, she married Harland "Slim" Baumgartner of Chewelah, WA. Here she learned to play golf. In winter they would drive their Dodge Van to Yuma and stop at Scott's for a few days and proceed to her home at Saguaro Estates. They enjoyed playing golf with other "snowbirds" from all parts of the US and Canada, going to swap meets, playing cards, and traveling. When the weather started to get too hot, they would pack up and head back north, stopping again at Scott's. When Slim died in 2014, Margaret decided to live in Yuma full-time to be with friends, including Howard Brown, who became her life partner. In December of 2022, Howard was experiencing ongoing health problems, and in January of 2023 they both decided to part; Howard going to live with his son, Gary, in Temecula, CA, and Margaret to live with her son, Scott, in Sacramento. Howard would pass two weeks later on January 17. While living in Sacramento, Margaret enjoyed traveling with her son to tune some 40 pipe organs in the Sacramento Valley, going as far South as Fresno and North to Ukiah, going with him to practice at his church, All Saints Episcopal in Sacramento, where he is Organist-Choirmaster, and helping to do office work of filing and organizing; things to keep her busy. Margaret also enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, baking, cleaning, organizing, and attending sports events. She also enjoyed summer weekend trips at Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID, boating and unwinding with a gin and tonic and frozen daiquiris, and later, boxed wine! She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Ladies of the Oriental Shrine, and the Spokane Sports Car Club. She was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, and All Saints Episcopal in Sacramento. A Memorial Service will be held in Spokane on Thursday, September 19, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave. Musical Prelude begins at 10:30 a.m., and the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Weber family plot, Moscow, ID, on Friday, September 20, 11:00 a.m., Moscow Cemetery, 1612-1682 Troy Road. Memorials may be given to The Shriners Hospital or the All Saint Episcopal Church Organ Fund or Concert Fund, 2076 Sutterville Rd., Sacramento, CA 95831.

John Edward Byrne, 90, of Spokane, Washington, passed away on September 11, after a long and fulfilling life. John was born February 11, 1934, in Johnstown, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, to John and Rose Byrne. He was the second of 10 children. John graduated from the National University of Ireland in 1958, and shortly after emigrated to accept a position teaching physics at Gonzaga University in Spokane. John married the love of his life, Connie, in 1965. They spent their first married years in The Bronx, New York, where John earned his Master's and Doctorate degrees at Fordham University. In 1968, his family was completed with the birth of his daughter, Nona. After completing his Fordham education, he returned to Spokane and resumed his almost 40-year career at Gonzaga. During his tenure he held various positions including Chair of the Physics Department and Dean of the Graduate School. In 2005, he was bestowed with the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. John was a faithful Catholic and longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima parish. In 1978, he was ordained as one of the first Permanent Deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane, where he faithfully served until his retirement in 2018. As Deacon, he held a number of leadership roles including Director of Deacons for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane and on the Deacon Formation Committee. John loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada, however, his fondest trips were the ones back to his homeland. He was a devoted family man; a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Rose; his wife, Connie; his brothers, Seamus, Brian, Derry, Pat, and Kevin; and his sisters, Ita, Roisin, and Betty. He is survived by his daughter, Nona Byrne; grandchildren, Nicholas Black, Caitlin Black (Ray White), Ryan Black, Madison Stoltz (Logan), and Braeden Brown; great-grandchildren, Ellie, Caileigh, and Silas White; sister, Maria Kerr; and countless in-laws, nephews, and nieces.

Liberty Lake - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Jane (Neyland) Trembly on September 8th, 2024, after a short illness. Betty entered this world on January 28th, 1936, the third of three daughters to Homer and Della Neyland in Seattle, Washington. In 1940, the family moved east across the state to Liberty Lake where Homer had bought beach frontage which later became Sandy Beach Resort. Betty and her two sisters spent much of their childhood summers playing at the Liberty Lake Park, riding the carousel, playing the games, looking for empty bottles to turn in for money and joining the picnic food lines as though they belonged. Betty spent the remaining 84 years of her life in the community of Liberty Lake. Betty graduated from Central Valley High School in 1954. She then attended WSC (WSU) graduating in 1958 with a degree in elementary education. While at WSC, Betty accepted a blind date with a young Cougar baseball player from Kelso, Washington. She married Joe Trembly on September 7th, 1958. Little did she know that blind date would turn into 62 years of marriage filled with parenthood, friendships, sports, hard work in the family business and family. Their son, Joe Allen was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1959. Joe and Betty moved back to Liberty Lake to become partners in the family resort business with sister, Mary Floy and brother-in-law, Howard Dolphin, purchasing Sandy Beach Resort from their father and mother, Homer and Della Neyland. They ran the business together as a resort for 31 years eventually turning it into a mobile home park which still stands today. Possibly, McDonalds wasn't the first hamburger joint to fry a million burgers. On hot days the old flat top grill cooked burger after burger in the sweltering heat. Betty's glasses would become covered with hamburger grease as she slaved over the sizzling grill. A tough job when the rest of humanity was enjoying the cool water of Liberty Lake. One of the many memorable Betty incidents of the days working at the beach was watching her chase down a freeloader sneaking into the resort through the swimming area. Betty, in apron and dress would leave her station behind the grill and wade into the water to remind them they had to pay to swim there or get out. On Mother's Day Betty would pride herself on being the first person of the season to test the chilly waters of Liberty Lake fully clothed and with the snow still on Mica Peak! Joe started his teaching and coaching career at Freeman High School and later at University High School and Betty started her teaching career in the East Valley School District at Trentwood Elementary retiring in 1991, after 31 years of service. Her teaching friends remained lifelong friends and a big part of her life. Betty and Joe spent countless hours of proud parenthood following and supporting Joe Allen's CV football and baseball games along with his successful golfing career. Joe Allen later became a certified golf pro which was a great source of pride to his parents. Betty and Joe were lifelong WSU Cougar fans holding season tickets for years in both football and basketball. The Cougar flag still flies from their front porch. Betty and Joe led a very active social life surrounded by great lifelong friends from their teaching careers. They traveled to two Olympic Games, Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976 and attended many National Athletic Director conferences with close friends Bill and Carol Ellis. They traveled for many years to White Fish, Heavenly Valley and Tahoe to ski with Joe's teaching staff from University. After Joe's death in 2019, Betty spent many fun filled hours watching her grand and great-grand nieces and nephews swim in her back yard pool and attending a multitude of their sporting and school activities. Betty continued her relationship with old friends but gathered a new group of friends from the Liberty Lake Athletic Club. She led the water aerobics class for seniors at 6:00 AM, three days a week. She loved the people in the pool, and they loved her. Another of Betty's favorite past times was spending time at the Northern Qwest Casino where she became a favorite of the staff there and honed the skills passed down by her father Homer. She was a lucky gambler who won more than she lost. Her most memorable line after returning home from the casino was "At least I didn't lose the farm"! One of Betty's enduring qualities was her ability to make people laugh. Betty never took herself too seriously and her contagious laugh in regard to something she did was hilarious. One of particular hilarity was a golfing trip to Scotland with friends where Betty was the designated driver of the ladies while the men golfed. One could imagine the laughter and chaos which ensued as Betty got behind the wheel driving on the wrong side of the road. Betty's son, Joe Allen and granddaughter, Taylor Noelle Trembly were a lifelong source of pride and love often traveling to the west side to be with them. Betty was a mother, teacher, sister, wife, grandmother, aunt and friend beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Della Neyland, sister, Mary Floy Dolphin, brother-in-law, Howard Dolphin, sister, Carol Jean Richardson, brother-in-law, Robert Richardson, and niece, Annette Strong. She is survived by her son, Joe Allen Trembly, Liberty Lake; granddaughter, Taylor Noelle Trembly, Federal Way, WA; nieces, Leslee (Jim) McLachlan, Denise (Tim) Coyle, Monica (John) Pappe, Marcia Stetner (Doug deceased); and many cousins and grand and great-nieces and nephews who loved and adored their Aunty Betty. A celebration of life for Betty will be held on October 13th, at Trailhead Golf Course, 22302 E. Country Vista, Liberty Lake, from 2-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cougar Athletic Fund, PO Box 641602, Pullman, WA 99164 or cougarathleticfund.com.

Mary Shannon Edge (Steckler) passed peacefully in her home September 4th, at the age of 74. Shannon was born to parents, Carol Jean Davis (deceased) and Lester Edge Jr. (deceased), and raised in Spokane with her younger brother, Peter (deceased). She attended Our Lady of Fatima, Hutton, Sacajawea Middle School, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. She went on to Seattle University and Eastern Washington University to earn her degree in Elementary Education and worked as a substitute teacher. She married (and later divorced) Rod Steckler, and had one child, Heather Steckler Parker, to whom she dedicated her life. She was her daughter’s biggest fan, supporter, and was always the parent volunteer at every event, concert, recital, and performance! Her summers were spent at her family’s cabin on Hayden Lake growing up and she continued the tradition with her daughter, Heather. She was adored by her daughter and son-in-law, Derrick Parker, and her two granddaughters, Grace and Isabel Parker, as well as her beloved dog, Pippin! (Shannon loved all animals and was a supporter of SCRAPS and the Spokane Humane Society.) Shannon became a member of First Presbyterian Church and was loved by her deacons and ministers who would visit her in her home when she became homebound. She will be remembered as the most adoring mother and grandmother, for her strength, fun and playful sense of humor, love of animals and children, and her joyful love of swimming at the lake!

1972 – 2024 Felecia T. Todd (Loos), 52 of Newport, OR, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Felecia was home and surrounded by her family as she took her final breaths. Felecia was born in Spokane, WA, to George and Trula Loos. Felecia graduated from Shadle Park High (Spokane) in 1990, and in 1995 graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Health Education. Felecia moved to Newport to take a health education position with Lincoln County. Felecia worked as a children's pastor at the Newport Church of Nazarene, as a PE teacher at Sam Case, and lastly, as a counselor at Newport High School. Felecia's first date with Travis was a ski trip where she concluded that his rudimentary skiing skills meant that he was never again to lead the way on jumps. On September 18, 1999, Felecia married Travis and went on to have two children, Claire and Ethan. Felecia's expressed core values were to love and honor God, love family, and to love-on everyone around her. Felecia was a courageous, charismatic, fun loving, kind words, answer 'yes' person, all packaged into a little frame. She was always available to encourage, help out, or share an adventure. Felecia enjoyed running, walking her route, boating, hiking, traveling, attending Ethan's sporting events, attending Claire's equestrian/4-H events, and just hanging out with family and friends. Felecia was an avid hair twirler and was known to occasionally bust out delightful cheerleader dance moves. Felecia relied on God's provision for the strength to live joyfully while enduring great suffering. Well done, Felecia. Felecia was preceded in death by her father, George Loos. She is survived by her husband, Travis; daughter, Claire; son, Ethan; mother, Trula McCoy (Jim); sister, Erin Kranzler (Jerry); stepmom, Georgina Loos; and brother, Tony Thomas. Send cards or condolences to: Trula McCoy 818 E St Thomas More Way Spokane WA 99208  Service will be at 11 AM, on September 28, at the NewportNaz Church, in Newport, OR.