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Mary Wilkerson
Dec. 17, 1911 - March 26, 2004
Mary Wilkerson was a native Nevadan, born and raised in Carson City, the oldest of four daughters of Clara and Eugene Trudelle. She entered the University of Nevada in Reno in the depression days, received scholarships and worked to pay for her education. She was active in the Pi Beta Phi sorority and other campus organizations and activities. She retained a strong loyalty to the University of Nevada throughout her life.
Upon graduating in 1933, Mary began her lifelong commitment to youth and teaching. She started her teaching career at Smith Valley High School and met her husband of 67 years, Louis Wilkerson in Smith Valley. After living in Smith Valley, Fallon and Reno, they moved with their three children to Elko in 1945, near the end of World War II. They soon grew to love Elko County and considered it their backyard, enjoying its many opportunities for outdoor recreation. After completing the raising of their three children in Elko, Lou and Mary remained in the original family home for the rest of their lives.
Mary taught several grades in the Elko elementary schools, eventually becoming an English teacher at Elko High, where she taught until her retirement in 1975. She was well known to hundreds of Elko High graduates as "their" English teacher. She, in turn, considered them "her" graduates. She was proud of all of her students.
The Elko community meant a great deal to Mary. She was dedicated to the Presbyterian Church, having served as elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, chairperson of Presbyterian Women and in various other assignments. She was involved in a number of community activities and organizations - community charity drives, hospital auxiliary, scouting, Little League. She was a member of the Eastern Star, AAUW, and, during her teaching years, the NEA She was a charter member of the Elko chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and honorary society for teachers. She served as its president and received that organization's Rose Award for special service.
Mary's husband, Louis John Wilkerson, died in March of 2001, also at age 92.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Hughes of Killer, Texas; her sons, Don Wilkerson of Salt Lake City, John Wilkerson and wife Barbara of New Vernon, N.J.; her sister, Betty Borjas of Lamoille, Nev.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a 100-year-old sister-in-law, Myrle Bennett, of Reno.
A memorial service is planned for Monday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Elko. A reception with lunch refreshments will immediately follow in the Church social hall. Memories are forever. The family invites you to come and share some of yours with them.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Northeastern Nevada Museum, or the charity of choice.
Robert Henry McDonald
Robert Henry McDonald, best known as "Bob" McDonald, 71, of Elko, died Friday, April 2, 2004, at Salt Lake City, Utah. His death was caused by complications associated with an earlier surgery.
Bob was born Jan. 10, 1933, in Lovelock, Nev., the son of William John McDonald and Mary Katherine Johnson. He attended school in Lovelock where he graduated from Pershing County High School in 1952. Bob excelled in football at Pershing High where he was a running back. He was known by his teammates as "Rapid Robert."
Bob began his working life at an early age while assisting his father for the city of Lovelock. After high school, he entered military service in the U.S. Army in 1954, and was stationed in Germany. Upon completion of his tour of duty in 1956, he returned to Nevada where he obtained employment for various telephone companies in Lovelock, Winnemucca, and later Elko. In 1960 he married Norma Hammond Wright of Elko. The couple was sealed on April 3, 1967, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bob is survived by three children, Dennis McDonald (wife, Cindy) of Orem, Utah; Danelle Jardine (husband, Rusty) of Fallon, Nev.; and Deanna Barnum (husband, Brad) of Lone Tree, Colo.
Other family members include sister, Jean Cooney (husband, John) of Lovelock, Nev.; Katherine Perry of El Cerrito, Calif.; Edith Custodia of Livermore, Calif.; Margeret (husband, Jean) Saroiberry of Sacramento, Calif.; Eleanor Parrnelli (husband, Tom) of Castro Valley, Calif.; and brother, William McDonald of Auburn, Wash.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Brady. His mother died when he was 4 years old.
Bob was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of his death he was serving as high councilman for the Elko Nevada West Stake. He had previously served as Bishop of the former Elko 4th Ward.
Bob moved to Elko in 1971 where he began employment with California Pacific Utilities. He remained in employment with the telephone industry there through his retirement, with Alltel in 1989. He was later employed by Cashman Equipment for approximately seven years.
His personal interests included computer and communication technology. He remained in constant contact with family members by means of e-mail.
A viewing will be conducted on Tuesday evening, April 6, between the hours of 7 and 8:30 p.m. Prior to funeral services there will be another viewing from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7. Both viewings will take place at the church at 3001 N. Fifth St. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Stake Center located at 3001 North Fifth St. in Elko, Nev.
Interment will follow the funeral at Burns Memorial Garden in Elko.
Evan L. Nielson
Longtime Elko resident, Evan L. Nielson passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2004, after a battle with cancer. He died while staying with his daughter and son-in-law in Rocklin, Calif., just weeks before his 80th birthday.
Evan was born in Metropolis, Nev., on April 26, 1925. He and his family moved to Wells in 1928 where he attended school. At the age of 17 he joined the work force and began telegraphing for Western Pacific Railroad. When World War II broke out, Evan quickly enlisted in the U. S. Navy. He was sent to serve in San Francisco, using his unique telegraphing skills at the Communications HQ for the Pacific fleet. After the war, Evan returned to Northern Nevada and went back to work with Western Pacific as a dispatcher. He was later transferred to Western Pacific headquarters in Sacramento, Calif., as chief dispatcher until he retired.
Evan loved the railroad almost as much as he loved mining. Evan was the owner of White Rock Mining Company, and had several mining claims in the Elko area as well as in Arizona. In his retirement years, he spent many of his winters in Arizona, returning to Nevada each summer to spend time with family and his many friends. Evan was a self-made man who was full of spirit and kindness. He loved everybody and everybody loved him.
Evan is survived by his daughter, Deanna Worthington (husband, Ron) of Rocklin, Calif.; son, Mike Nielson of Citrus Heights, Calif.; grandchildren, Rick Worthington (wife, Kristen) of Elko, Nev., Kirk Worthington (wife, Alicia), and Brad Worthington (wife, Lineth) of Rocklin, Calif., and Travis Nielson of Citrus Heights, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Payton and Nicholas Worthington of Elko, and Gabriel Evan, Katherine, Elena and Emily Worthington of Rocklin; his brother, Lee Nielson of Rupert, Idaho; and sisters, June Albiston of Lovelock, Nev., and Fay Trip of Blackfoot, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Verl and James Nielson; sisters, Melba Duncan, Ethel Nielson, and Ronnie Duncan; and son, Ronnie Nielson.
Evan will be missed but never forgotten for he made his mark in many ways on this earth.
Services will be held on Friday, April 9, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the LDS church at 3001 North Fifth Street in Elko, Nev.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the John Wayne Cancer Research Institute, P.O. Box 51037, Los Angeles, CA 90051-5337, or to your favorite charity.
Henry F. 'Gerald' Howison, II
Gerald left his earthly home Sunday, March 28, 2004, with his loving wife by his side.
Gerald was born in Lemon Cove on June 23, 1930. He was the only son of Henry F. Howison and Lillian French Howison Fletcher. He attended grammar school in Lemon Cove High School in Exeter and Menlo Boys Academy and College in Albuquerque, N.M. He married Virginia Gill on Dec. 4, 1948. He owned various ranches in Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and California. He was a long-standing member of the California Farm Bureau and the Cattleman's Association.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and son, Gill.
Surviving family members are his loving wife of 55 years, Virginia "Gee" Howison; daughter, Charlotte Mehrten and her husband, Bill of Exeter; son, Henry F. Howison III and his wife, Jan of Exeter; son, Lou Howison and wife, Julie of Kingsburg; grandchildren, Will Mehrten of Seattle, Lee Mehrten of Santa Monica, Henry F. "Ry" Howison IV and Heidi Howison of Exeter, Forrest, James and Gill Howison of Kingsburg; great-grandchildren, Pierce and Ava Mehrten of Seattle; sister, Louise "Carpey" Russell of Charleston, S.C. and Alice Nicholas of Lander, Wyo; stepbrother, Art Fletcher of Fresno.
There will be no formal service. A celebration of Gerald's life will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at his home, 22709 Avenue 294. Stories of remembrances will be from noon to 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the John Wayne Institute of Cancer Research, P.O. Box 51037, Los Angeles, CA 90051-5337 or your favorite charity. Online condolences: www.smithfamilychapel.com.
Arrangements are by Smith Family Chapel Exeter.