RIP Nanny

Virginia "Nanny" Smith
1914 -2009

Nanny was my adopted grandmother from my mom's previous marriage to Jerry Smith. Even though I wasn't her biological granddaughter Nanny still included me in her Christmas gift list and always remembered my birthday. She wrote letters on a weekly basis up until her stroke last year. I finally met her on her 90th birthday in 2004 and then we went on a road trip to California to see her in 2006.

Even though her death didn't come as too much of a surprise it is always sad to know that someone who was once on this earth is no longer around.

These last few weeks have been odd to say the least with all of the death whether it be close friends, relatives, strangers and even celebrities. There has been a certain heaviness in our hearts and I'm so glad it's at least summer time so the sun can shed some light on these shadows.

Here's Nanny's Obituary from Stockton CA

December 15, 1914 - June 24, 2009

Virginia W. Smith, 94, was born to Ulysses Grant and Elizabeth Nell Wright on December 15, 1914 in Hutchinson, Kansas. She passed away at Dameron Hospital after a very short illness.

She lived in Stockton for 44 years and was owner and operator for Hurley's Business Service for 50 years. She was the matriarch of the family keeping us together she was Nanny or Gran to many. Nanny didn't know what an interruption was she enjoyed every visit from Family, Friends and Clients. We were able to stop by the office or the house and stay as long as they wanted. She truly cherished people. She raised her 3 sons and 2 granddaughters while running a successful business.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ulysses and Nell Wright, husband William T. Smith, son William E. Smith and grandson Christopher Lee Smith her sisters Eulah Greene, Geraldine Railsback, Marguerite Warmbradt, brother Estel Wright. Survivors: Sons, James R. Smith & Gerald L. Smith both of Stockton, CA; Granddaughters Shannon Bushnell (Chris) Redding CA, Erin Millar-Dias (Joe) Stockton, CA, Carrie Croucher (Curt) Libby, MT, Robert Smith (Theresa) Charles Smith; Great Grandsons, Matthew, Kenneth and Bretton Millar all of Stockton CA; 9 Great Grandchildren in Stockton and Libby, MT along with all those adopted Great Grandchildren in Yuba City, and everywhere else in the world. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and one very special family friend Janey Ray.

In her final days she was at home and being cared for by her to loving sons. Her presence will be missed and her memory cherished.

RIP Don Knauss

Donald Roger Knauss
September 6, 1929 ~ July 1, 2009

Nate first met Don in 1992 when he went to work for him as a plumber's apprentice. He worked with Don through 1998 when Don retired. Don, being the generous man that he was, sold Don's Plumbing to Nate for an unbelievable price. Throughout the last 11 years Don would occasionally strap on his journeyman belt and come to work for Nate when we were busy and needed the help or if we needed someone to look out for things while we took a vacation. Just a few days before his passing he stopped by the new shop to see how things were going. It sad how we tend to take those around us for granted. We hope Don and his family know just how much he has touched our lives.

The following is his obituary.

Donald Roger Knauss, 79, longtime Moscow resident died Wednesday, July 1, 2009 in Coeur ’d Alene, Idaho, following a heart attack.

Don was born September 6, 1929 in Cooperstown, North Dakota to Harry and Eleanor Knauss. While still very young, his family moved to Anaconda, MT, and later to Spokane, WA where he attended West Valley High School.

He enlisted in the US Navy in 1948, serving as a Petty Officer 2nd Class aboard the USS Valley Forge during the Korean War. Following honorable discharge, he maintained life-long contact with the men of the radio division in which he served; traveling to many parts of the US with his wife, Terry, to attend annual reunions.

After his Navy days, he worked as a plumber in the Pacific Northwest earning his journeyman’s certification and later his plumbing contractor license. He partnered in D&K Plumbing and later founded Don’s Plumbing, both of Moscow. He had many stories of working on the initial construction of the ASUI Kibbie Dome, the College of Natural Resources, Latah County Jail, and many other homes and projects in the region. He was extremely generous with his time and skills and always willing to lend a hand to help those who couldn’t afford the help they needed. He especially gave generously of his time to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School in Moscow up until recent years. Recently, he told a family member that his life had been pretty darn good, and that he wouldn’t change a lot.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Past Exalted Ruler of the Moscow BPOE (Elks). He was a Moscow Bear Booster and immensely enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow.

He had three sons from a first marriage. He loved them dearly and was proud of them for working hard and being successful in their lives. In the early 1970’s, he moved to Moscow where he met a woman who shared his sense of humor and dedication to family and friends. He married Teresa O’Brien Helbling on September 15, 1973. Don always loved a challenge and in marrying Teresa, Don took on five more children to love and help raise. His quiet, hard-working approach gained him the love, respect and admiration of his extended Helbling and O’Brien families. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by Teresa, his loving wife of more than thirty-five years, who still resides in Moscow and by his children, Donald, Jr. and wife Chris of Greenacres, WA and their daughters, Jennifer and Stacie; Ronald and wife Lori of Spokane; and Robert and wife Christy of Lincoln City, OR and their sons, Cameron and Cody; Bob and wife Brenda Helbling of Moscow, and their children Ryan and Nicole; Daniel and wife Gina of Viola and their daughter Katie, Timothy Helbling of Slidell, LA and children, Jocelyne, Bryant, David, and Allicia; Julie and husband Tim Taylor of Onaway, ID and their children Kelsey and Alex; and Jeanne and Dave Poxleitner of Keuterville, ID. Don is also survived his sister, Caroline and husband Pat Michielli of Greenacres, WA, daughter-in-law Carol Helbling of Slidell, LA, and great grandchildren, Caitlin, Austin, and Reagan. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Josie Quote

I noticed Josie was in the bathroom for an extended period of time. I knocked on the door and asked her what was going on.

"I have the runs," Josie stated matter of factly. " Although, when I get the runs it only happens once so it's more like I've got the run."

Dreams Really Do Come True!

The moment has arrived and we're going to Disney World!!!!! We've been talking about taking our girls when they are 9 and 12 for years now and the time has come. Thankfully, Don's Plumbing has been having a stellar year which has afforded us to not only take this vacation but to have it paid for before we even leave. Yay! At first we thought we'd be heading for Disneyland but with a great deal through Southwest Airlines we were able to get 9 days (two of those travel), airfare, hotel, Park Hopper tickets AND the dining plan for $500 less than the CA trip would've been.

I'm so so SO excited (can you tell?) and have been scouring over our Guide to Disney World on a daily basis and checking the Disney World website to see when their schedule for October comes out so I can plan our days. It's also kind of sad that I am planning our meals already. Each girl wants to do a character breakfast -Annabelle wants to dine with Pooh Bear and Josie is excited to eat breakfast with Donald Duck in the Animal Kingdom, I'm hoping to go to the Spirit of Aloha dinner and I'm sure all Nate cares about is scoring a beer or two at Epcot in Germany land.

We're counting the days, 85 to be exact, until we embark on our journey that, for me, has been 16 years in the making.