Obituaries - Sept. 3, 2009

Nona Utke

A memorial service for Nona Kaye Utke, 54, Colfax, was Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Bruning Funeral Home.

She died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at her rural home.

Born April 22, 1955, in Colfax to Allen and Pearl Zypsy Whitney, she attended Colfax schools until her family moved to Spokane during her teen years. Nona attended Lewis-Clark High School and later earned a business degree from Kinman Business College. She managed a paint store in Spokane for a while. She married Richard Utke, a former neighbor and playmate from her Colfax childhood, Sept. 3, 1982, in Spokane. They have made their home in Colfax since. She worked as a computer operator for the Kirkpatrick, Utgaard & Perry accounting offices for many years. Her health forced her to medically retire about five years ago.

Nona enjoyed painting and was an avid reader.

Surviving are her husband, Richard, at their home; two children, Jason Roberg, Colfax, and Amy LaChapelle, Spokane; two brothers, Allen Whitney of Santa, Idaho and Nick Whitney, Spokane, and two sisters, Judy Hubbard, Spokane, and Sue Leinweber, Colfax, and six grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 699 Prince St., Alexandria, Va., 22314-3175

On-line guest book:

http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Wallis R. Kimble

A service for Wallis R. Kimble, 69, retired Seattle area civil engineer, was Tuesday afternoon at The Stone Chapel in Poulsbo. Interment will be at the family plot in the Colfax Cemetery Friday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. Mr. Kimble’s parents, Ray M. and Lucille Brannan Kimble, were both raised in this area.

He died from lung cancer Aug. 24, 2009, at his home in Kingston.

Born Feb. 9, 1940, he graduated from high school in Challis, Idaho, in 1958 and served in the US. Navy on air and sea rescue flights before returning here to receive a degree in civil engineering from Washington State University in 1968.

He and Marilyn Vinup were married Aug. 31, 1963 in Lynden.

He was a project manager for Kiewit Pacific Co. and worked on both West Seattle bridges, East Channel and Lake Washington floating bridges and other projects. He was an accomplished pilot and supporting member of the Experimental Aviation Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was a major supporter of WSU academics and athletics and enjoyed spending time at his ranch in the White Cloud Mountains near Challis.

Surviving are his wife, Marilyn, Kingston; sons, Mark, Ridgefield; Eric (Suzanne) of Portland; a sister, Connie Cerchione, Idaho Falls, and one granddaughter.

Memorial donations may be made to Port Townsend Areo Museum, Box 101, Chimacum, 98325.