honest local news for the mid columbia region
01/26/2026
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Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Tom Peterson
Teresa Rae Dirks, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away at Adventist Health Columbia Gorge on January 21, 2026.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Columbia Community Connection
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Anderson's Tribute Center
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com
Columbia Community Connection
Karolynn will be laid to rest at Mt. View Memorial Cemetery of Hood River Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com
Tom Peterson
Roy Robert Johnson, beloved son, brother, grandson, and friend, passed away on October 19, 2025, at the age of 25. He was born on February 16, 2000, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Cheryl Johnson and Jerry Johnson.
Roy grew up in The Dalles and graduated from The Dalles High School with the Class of 2018. Over the years, he worked hard in a variety of jobs — managing a car wash, operating tractors in the vineyards, and working with a tree arborist company. No matter the task, Roy brought dedication, humor, and a strong work ethic to everything he did.
In his younger years, Roy found joy in adventure and the outdoors. He enjoyed dirt bike riding, playing baseball, skateboarding, reading, and spending time with his close friends and family. Roy had a deep love for animals and shared a special bond with his dog, Brody, who was always by his side.
Roy is survived by his parents, Cheryl Johnson and Jerry Johnson; his siblings, Joshua Johnson, Tyson Guastad, and Heather Tufti; and his grandparents, Bernice Miles and Ed Johnson. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Janet Johnson and Dennis Miles.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 1:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1815 E 15th Street, The Dalles, Oregon.
Arrangements are in the care of Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Spencer, Libb,y and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Columbia Community Connection
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Anderson's Tribute Center
Patricia Anne Alfson Hartley, lovingly known as “Trish,” passed away on January 8, 2026. She was born on January 25, 1969, in Madison, South Dakota, to Terry and Dee Alfson.
Trish spent her early childhood in Madison before her family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she began her elementary education. In 1981, she relocated to The Dalles, Oregon, where she attended The Dalles Middle School and later graduated from The Dalles High School in 1987.
Trish continued her education at Western Oregon State College, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1992. Her strong work ethic and dedication began early—while still in high school, she started working for Edward Jones in 1987 alongside her father. After college, she built a long and respected career with Edward Jones, serving as a Branch Office Administrator in Canby, Oregon, and later moving to McMinnville, where she spent the remainder of her career as a Senior Branch Office Administrator.
Trish married Mike in 1996, and together they built a life centered around family and love. She was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Hannah (born in 1997) and Madeline (born in 2000), and she was incredibly proud of the women they became.
In addition to her career and family, Trish gave back to her community through years of service as a board member for Care for Kids, an organization she supported with time, dedication, and heart.
Trish’s personality filled every room she entered. She enjoyed NASCAR, football (especially cheering on her favorite team, the Seattle Seahawks), and had a deep love for the USA and patriotism. She also loved playing Pokeno, watching movies and TV, and most of all, spending meaningful time with friends and family.
Trish is survived by her husband, Mike Hartley; daughters Hannah Hartley and Madeline Esparza (and son-in-law Andres Esparza); her parents, Terry Alfson and Dee Alfson; brother Christopher Alfson (and sister-in-law Heather Lostrom); sisters Tara Donivan (and brother- in-law Ben Donivan) and Heather Runyon (and brother-in-law JR Runyon); niece Olivia Steadman (and nephew-in-law Connor Steadman); nieces Emma Alfson, Morgan Donivan, and Sadie Runyon; nephews Nolan Donivan and Logan Runyon; and great-niece Oaklee Steadman.
Service Details
A Funeral Mass Service will be held on January 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles, Oregon, with Father Rene officiating.
A Celebration of Life will also be planned for late spring or early summer. Additional details
will be shared once a date has been confirmed. All are welcome to attend both the Funeral Mass and the Celebration of Life as we gather to honor and remember Trish.
In Trish’s memory, and because her favorite color was purple, guests are encouraged to wear purple if they wish.
Trish will be cremated, and her remains will be distributed among family in places that meant the most to her—Hawaii during our family trip, as well as The Dalles and McMinnville, Oregon.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home, The Dalles, Oregon.
The family would like to extend a special and sincere thank you to the entire Providence Medical Team, especially the staff in the ICU and on the 5G floor. Their exceptional care, kindness, and compassion truly made a difference during an incredibly difficult time. They fought right alongside us as we prayed and hoped for Trish’s life, and their unwavering support will never be forgotten. We cannot thank them enough.
Trish will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her love, loyalty, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her. Trish lived her life with a selfless and giving spirit, always putting others before herself. She was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her and being in her presence. With her warm smile and contagious laugh, she had a way of lighting up every room she entered. Her strength, courage, and unwavering love for those around her will never be forgotten.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Kristy Marie Hloucha (Mann) was born on October 25th, 1978, in The Dalles, Oregon, alongside her identical twin sister Chasity Jeffers to her mother Linda Huteson and biological father Daniel Mann. She was raised by her stepfather, Wayland Huteson, alongside her younger sister Anne Loop.
Kristy graduated from The Dalles High School in 1997. In 2010, she married Will Hloucha at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Their loving marriage lasted until Will’s passing in 2019.
Kristy was known for her kindness and caring nature, especially towards children. She dedicated over a decade of her life to working as a daycare teacher at St. Mary’s. Her patience, warmth, and gentle spirit touched countless young lives and families.
Kristy is survived by her mother, Linda Huteson; her father, Wayland Huteson; her identical twin sister, Chasity Jeffers; her sister, Anne Loop; her nieces, Sharon Burnham, Athena Huteson, and Mae Loop; and her nephew, Jake Loop.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Will Hloucha, and her biological father, Daniel Mann. Kristy peacefully passed away on January 8th, 2026, and has now joined her loved ones in heaven.
A Funeral Mass for Kristy will be held on January 17th at 10:00 am with a Rosary Service prior at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A luncheon will be held after the services at the St. Peter’s Parish Center. Her ashes will be buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery, alongside her late husband, Will.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Columbia Community Connection
Jack Lee Harmon, at the age of 90, passed away peacefully on December 11th at Harmony Adult Foster Home in The Dalles. He was born on June 1, 1935, to Lena and Ace Harmon in La Grande, Oregon. He graduated from high school in1953 and continued at Eastern Oregon College, graduating with a degree in Education.
Jack enlisted in the National Guard for three years and was honorably discharged in 1959. In 1955, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Una Mae Leavitt, and spent 70 years together, raising four boys (Jeff, Kurt, Rod, and Mitchell).
Jack is survived by his wife, Una Mae; children, Jeff, wife Laurie, Kurt, wife Marian, Rod, wife Patty, Mitch, wife Lacero; two sisters, Phyllis Taylor and Dixie Miller. Jack has 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceding his death are his parents and two brothers, David and Charles Harmon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of choice.
Service in his memory will be held at The Dalles Middle School Commons room on January 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
A Celebration of Life is being planned at a later date. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Columbia Community Connection
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Anderson's Tribute Center
Sue was born on October 16, 1935, and was 90 years old at the time of passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
Anderson's Tribute Center
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 2006 W 7th St., The Dalles, OR, on January 17, 2026, from 2 to 5 PM. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home

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