In Memoriam

Lind-Ritzville Alumni Association will Post Obituaries from the Last Two Calendar years.

Obituaries can be found from clicking the alumnus name in blue on their class page.

Chauna Townsend Clift, Class of 1982, passed away October 22, 2024.

Colletta Kagele Huls, Class of 1981, passed away October 15, 2024.

Larry Kiehn, Class of 1946, passed away September 28, 2024, just a few days after his 96th birthday.

Joan Borges Schell Dicus, Class of 1953, passed away on August 19, 2024.

Harvey Laib, Class of 1957, passed away on August 19, 2024.

Richard Skinner, class of 1948, passed away August 11, 2024.

Rick Dean Ambers II, Class of 2008, passed away August 6, 2024.

Judy Blankenship Cogswell, Class of 1960, passed away July 22, 2024.

Mary Susan Webb Herdich, Class of 1963, passed away July 17, 2024. Her mother Mary Miller Webb graduated from RHS in 1929. Mary Susan’s sister Ruth Webb Eckhardt (1957) and brother Max Webb (1960) also are RHS alumni.

Marin Elliot Fode, Class of 1957, passed away on July 2, 2024. Marin’s husband Ed (1954) and children Bill (Suzi Boschoff -1982) Fode (1981) and Kim (John -1982) Fode Lobe (1983) all graduated from Lind High School.

Esther Wilhelm Oestreich, Class of 1951, passed away June 28, 2024. She is survived by daughter Darci (Pat 1976) Oestreich Kennedy (1976), sons Jeff (Lois Disparte 1971) Oestreich (1971) and Todd (Michele Caldwell 1986) Oestreich (1984), grandchildren Jennifer (John) Frost, Tracy (Andy) Brown, Amy (Brock) Jones, Kayla Kennedy (Nick 2002) Portrey (2002), Logan Kennedy (2005), Haley Oestreich (Johnny 2013) Carson (2013) and Skyler Oestreich (2016). Esther’s husband Robert (1949), son Greg Oestreich (1973) and grandson Derrick Kennedy all preceded her in death.

Mary Slipper Leisle, Class of 1961, passed away June 23, 2024.

Doris Adams Rocha, Class of 1969, passed away June 20, 2024. She is survived by her sisters Thomasina Adams (1974), Aileen Adams Wunder (1981), Janie Mae Adams Smith-Harding (1968), Ella Mae Adams Willsher (1979) and a nephew Robert Smith (1989). Her sister Bertha Adams Frank (1971) proceeded her in death.

Margo Kemble Fugal, Class of 1968, passed away on June 4, 2024. She was born on July 11, 1950 to Harold Alton Kembel and Frances Mae Kembel (1936). She is survived by husband Noland, children Ilene Ricks (Rylan), Michele Horton (Robert), Tamara Manley (Nicholas), brothers Greg Kembel (1969), Jeff Kembel (1972), Mark Kemble (1975) sister Pam Kemble (1967); 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Jerry Dale Snider, Class of 1967, passed away May 31, 2024.

Vincent Homer Evans, Class of 1954, passed away on May 30, 2024.  He is survived by his children: Colleen (Mike) Ruzicka, Eric (Fawn Green) Evans and Aimee (Colby 1983) Schell. He is also survived by grandchildren Kelsey (2010) (Nate Lind Grad 2008) Knodel, Cort 2015 (Jenna 2015) Ruzicka, Kate 2015 (Matthew 2015) Leffel and Rachel Schell (2018). Also surviving him are his step-grandchildren, David, William (2004) & Christopher Green (2004) and their families. He is survived by his great grandchildren: Kade Knodel and twins Jett & Austen Ruzicka. He is survived by his siblings; Roger (1967) (Rene’) Evans, Patty Cairns (1969) and Nancy Pulham (1965). He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Marilyn Sielaff (1970) and Pat Thiel Evans (1952) and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Sherryl Sielaff Evans in 2020, brother Darrell Evans (1951) in 2020 and both parents in 1989. He was also predeceased by brothers-in-law Hugh Cairns, Jim Pulham and Steve Sielaff (1962) and his in-laws Lester & June Sielaff (1937).

Dale Edwin Schoessler, Class of 1972, passed away May 24, 2024. He was born September 16, 1952 to Doris and Harold Schoessler (1937). Harold’s siblings were Clarence Schoessler (1937), Mary Schoessler Schwan (1933), Hannah Schoessler Lovik (1933), Esther Schoessler Foley (1940) and Selma Kiehn Morrell (1945). Dale had two sisters Kathryn Schoessler Schumacher (1973) and Carolyn Lee Frank.

Charles J Schmidt, Class of 1965, passed away on May 7, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Faye Schmidt, Shelly Noyer (1987) daughter (David Noyer), Nikki Miller (1994) daughter (Jason Miller), Brandon Eash, and Tim Eash grandsons, Dirk Dahlman (2020) grandson, Madison Miller (2020) granddaughter, and Seth Miller (2023) grandson. Great grandchildren, Conner, Wyatt and Octavia.  Preceded in death by his father, Albert Schmidt, his Mother, Molly Schmdit, and brothers George Stohr (1948), and Don Stohr (1951).

Nancy Hille, Class of 1970, passed away April 25, 2024.

Elaine Vostral Fracchia, Class of 1961, passed away on April 23, 2024.

Cathy Schaible Goude, Class of 1984, passed away March 23, 2024.

David Robert Manke, Class of 1958, passed away on March 1, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert E. and Hazel Manke, wife Phyllis "Pet" Manke, his wife Carolyn Myers Manke and brothers Albert (1950) Gerri), (1953) and Donald (1952) (Becky). He is survived by his two sisters-in-law Gerri (1953) and Becky, his niece Denise Vickerman (1976), (Mike); his nephews Ron Manke (1980) (Janet) and Chris Manke as well as several grand nieces and nephews.

Danette Allert Leisle, Class of 1963, passed away on February 18, 2024. Danette is survived by her husband, Michael Leisle (1963); two daughters Michelle Brown and Stephanie Leisle and their spouses Jef and Danielle; her brother Wally Allert (1966) and sister Raelene Long (1967) and their spouses Bonnie and Larry.

Donald W Heinemann, Class of 1946, was born in Ritzville in 1928 and passed away in Spokane on February 11, 2024. His parents Carl and Doris Heinemann were wheat and cattle ranchers. He graduated from WSU. He was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret Heinemann and his second wife Marianne Keison Heinemann (1947). He is survived by his 3 children Connie Meyer (1969), Cathy Tucker (1973) and William Heinemann (1971).

John W Dewald, Class of 1954, passed away on February 4, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents, Jesse Dewald and Pauline Dewald; his siblings, Robert (1947) and Doris Marshall (1946); and his former life partner Louise Scharff Dewald of Davenport.  He is survived by his son Robert Lee (1982) (Susan Gust Dewald (1982); his close friend Karen Kagele (1968); his grandchildren, Travis (2006), Stacey (2009) and Jake (2012) (Savanna); and his great grandchildren, Russell, Coen and Riley.

Gary Emil Schell, Class of 1966, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Maryhelen Schell. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue; brother, Dale (Kathy) Schell, of Brentwood and Indio, Calif.; and two daughters Emily Schell (Brian) Jones and Evie (Vlad) Cartwright, of Alexandria; grandchildren Ingrid Jones, Georgia Cartwright, William Jones and Gretchen Cartwright; aunt and uncle, Sylvia and Keith Roys, of Columbia, Mo.; niece, Maria (Mike) Moran, of Portland, Ore.

June Laib Larsen, Class of 1954, passed away on February 3, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Emma Stoller Laib, daughter Laurilee Cassidy, brothers and sisters Herbert Laib, Irma Floether, Alvin Laib, Lenora Sackmann, Edna Langenheder, Verna Burghard, Lillian Nix and Delmar Laib (1950).  She is survived by her son Dana Larsen, daughter Cathy Larsen, grandchildren Chris, Ryan and Kyla Cassidy, her sister Della Kiesz (1950) and brother Harvey Laib (1957) and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Esther Schoessler Foley, Class of 1940, passed away on January 11, 2024.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Pauline Schoessler, siblings, Mary (1933), Hannah (1933), Harold (1937), Clarence (1937), and Sally. She is survived by 4 generations of nieces and nephews.  

Phyllis Jean Oestreich, Class of 1947, passed away on January 11, 2024. Preceding her in death were her parents, Clarence and Alice (Gillett) Oestreich (1921), her sister Genevieve (Oestreich) Massie (1945), brother Robert (Bob) Oestreich (1949), two nephews, Dwight Massie and Greg Oestreich (1973), and two great nephews Derrick Kennedy, Daniel Clark, and great niece, April Oestreich. She is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and a growing number of great-great nephews and nieces.

Kenny Cooper, Class of 1985, passed away on January 3, 2024. Ken is survived by his wife of over 29 years, Kimberly Cooper, his father, Kenneth Cooper, his sister, Carah Cooper, his children, Nikkole Haase, Kaitlyn Cooper, Kenneth (K.C.) Cooper III and K.C.'s future wife, Kelli, his granddaughters, Phoebe, Evelyn, and Ellamae, and his "adopted" children, Justin Fear and Taylor Louis. He is also survived by countless cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he adored. He is preceded in death by his mother, Connie Cooper (1956), grandparents, Nance (1931) and Gerry Bauer (1933), Margret Watson and Harold Cooper, and his dog, Shadow.

Christine Franc Harder Tangvald, Class of 1959, passed away on, November 23rd, 2023. Christine was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Franc Lucille, husband, Roald Tangvald, and her son, Thor Tangvald. She is survived by her son, Rolf Tangvald (De Ann), Leif Tangvald (Tonya), and Rondi DeBoer (Brian), her grandchildren, Kjerste Dingle (Ryan), Kaitlund Johnson (Josh), Thor Tangvald (Laura), Annika Burkhalter (Colin), Rakel, Christian Tangvald, Rachael, Emma, Belle and Jada DeBoer, six and a half great-grandchildren, and her brothers, Carl and Paul (Herman) (1966) Harder.

Ronald R Grams, Class of 1951, died November 11, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Otto and Israel, sisters Helen (1941) Erna and Marion, his wife Claudia, and his eldest son Richard (1971). He is survived by his brother Wilmer (1954) children Dale (1975) (Bonnie Lind Alumni 1973) Grams, Holli (1978) (Steve) (1978) Kembel, (Jadine) (1973) Grams and 6 grandchildren, Janell (2000), Rodney (2003), Jesse, Ray (2008), Whitney and Brooke, as well as 6 great grandchildren.

Rita LaPearl Grams Imler, Class of 1951, died on Nov. 10, 2023. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Reinhold and Mary Grams, her siblings Martha (1935) Albert, Adolph (1938), LaVina, Olive (1945), and Richard, and great granddaughter Sofie Herzog. She is survived by her daughter and husband Becky and Mike Wells, son Danny Imler, grandson and wife Chad Imler and Jessie Sciara, granddaughter and husband Corie and Chad Herzog, four great grandsons Hayden John Herzog, Mason Herzog, Callahan Herzog, and Benson Herzog, and sister Juanita Sharp (1955).

Janice R. Schroeder Sullivan, Class of 1955, passed away October 13, 2023. She was born on June 23, 1937 to Levein and Dora Arlt Schroeder (1926). Janice is survived by her son Bill Markum (1976) (Vera (1973) and daughter Keri Markum Gassett (1977) (Deke Lind Grad 1976), her grandchildren Jessica (Danny), Drew (2000) (Carlye 2000), Anneka and Melissa. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers John (1950) and Stanford (1952), sisters Katherine (1959) and Barbara (1960), husband Syd, son Bobby and grandson Ryan. Services will be determined at a later date.

Patty Lou Vostral Richmond, Class of 1952, passed away on October 9, 2023. She was the wife of the late Thomas Richmond. They shared 17 years together and lived in Spokane Valley. Born in Lind, Wash. in 1934 and raised in Ritzville, Wash. daughter of Rudolf and Hazel Vostral. She graduated from Ritzville High School in 1952. She raised 3 boys and had a love for interior decorating!  She is survived by her 2 sons, Kevin and Kent and 3 grandsons and Ryan Kyle and Daniel, and 5 great grandchildren. 

A. Wayne Carter, 84, Class of 1957, passed away on September 22, 2023. Wayne is survived by his wife Diane Carter, children Brett Carter (Michelle), Renee Rodriguez (Bobby), Marian Hinson (Jamie) and Lisa Britton (Vince); grandchildren Lauren, Evan, Alicia, Courtney, Joshua, Jacob, Victoria and John Hunter; great grandchildren Mason, Maddie, and Jessie-Kate; and sister Carole McClimon (1959) and brother Ellis Carter (Joann). He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Carter and brother Terry.

Oscar L Olson, Class of 1949, passed away July 28, 2023. He is survived by his children Dwight, 1970, Linda Waltman (1972) (Ed) and Kelly (1976) (Lori 1979);  his grandchildren Jarrod (2005) (Erin), Shane (2008) (Courtney), Colby (2010)  (Karina) and Carrie Waltman; and his great-grandchildren Emily, Myah, Bennett, Eleanor and Harrison; many cherished nieces and nephews; and his loving companion, Della Kiesz (1950)..  Oscar married his high school sweetheart, Irene Schell Olson (1949), and they celebrated 65 anniversaries. Oscar was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Marie Olson and wife Irene.

Sandra K. Stanton-Heimbigner, Class of 1979, passed away July 21, 2023. She is preceded in death by her Father, Earl Stanton, and her Foster parents Art and Pauline Leisle. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Randall (1969) Heimbigner, daughter Sasha of Spokane, and other siblings Alton (1967) and Lynn Leisle, Linda (1970) (Lynn)Borders, Dwight (1972) and Teri Leisle, and Dewayne Leisle (1975); including all of their children.

Delmar Laib, Class of 1950, passed away May 3, 2023.  Delmar was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Emma (Stoller) Laib, brothers Herbert and Alvin Laib and sisters Irma Floether, Lenora Sackmann, Edna Langeneder, Verna Burghard and Lillian Mix.  He is survived by his brother Harvey Laib (1957) and sisters Della Kiesz (1950), June Larsen (1954) children Tim Laib, Glen (Michelle) Laib, Karen (Mike) McClure and several grandchildren.