Obituaries for November, 2023

Dennis Leon Acorda was born on February 25, 1959 in Nampa, Idaho, to Albert and Hermine Acorda(goitia). Dennis passed away unexpectedly on November 10, 2023. Dennis graduated from Lowry High School in 1977. He went on to Great Basin Community College in Elko and was a member of the college rodeo team. After college, Dennis returned to the family ranch in Paradise Valley where he worked for his uncle Fred Miller and “Nanny” Elizabeth Miller for several years. Dennis and his family moved to Fallon in 1987, where he lived in Stillwater and worked with his father-in-law on the deBraga family ranch. Dennis also leased farm ground, owned a harrow-bed business and raised cattle. Dennis was very active in the community helping with 4-H, FFA, Jr. Rodeos, Judging Contests and the Silver State International Rodeo. In 1997, Dennis moved back to Winnemucca and opened Arrowhead Glass, which he operated for …

Our hearts were broken the evening of Oct 30, 2023, when Zachary John Nipper got the final call when he seemingly laid down for a nap and never woke up. Zachary was born in Springfield, Oregon Nov 5, 1971, to John Erling Nipper and Patricia Ann Ambrose. The family moved to Gerlach, Nevada when Zach was 3 years old, beginning his nearly lifetime of being a Nevadan. Always a curious child and quick with the off-the-wall humor, he endeared himself to many. Talented and strong willed, he was a bit of a challenge in his teen years. He married too young, and it didn’t last long, but the marriage produced his daughter Tessa, whom he loved with all of his being. He later married Shannon Gull and together they had a son, Brayden, who joined Shannon’s daughter, Tianna, his family then complete. He loved them all equally and was so …

David James Williams, age 59, of Winnemucca, Nevada, passed away on November 12, 2023. He was born on September 24, 1964, in Vancouver, British Columbia. David was a beloved husband of 30 years to Tracy Williams. David will be deeply missed by his children, Brittani (Vincint) Brown, Ryan (Emy) Williams, and Lindsey (and Peanut) Williams. He was a loving grandfather to Logan and Remington Williams. David is also survived by his brothers, Rod (Maggie) Williams, Don (Maria) Williams, Kevin (Katherine) Malone, sister Lisa (Don) Myers, nephews Andrew and Jacob Williams, Mike (Jessica) Myers, niece Shayla Myers (Branden), multiple great-nieces and nephews, as well as his father and mother-in-law, Butch and Diane Malone. David is preceded in death by both of his parents, Roderick and Margaret Merle Williams. David cherished spending moments with his family and traveling the world with Tracy. He found delight in building model cars, ships, and planes; …

Walter “Dave” David Ray passed away on November 12, 2023, at his home in Winnemucca, Nevada. He was born on January 16, 1942, in Wilson, Oklahoma to Aaron Ray and Edit Dunigan. Growing up, David's family followed the crops and also worked on ranches in Oklahoma and Colorado. David’s fondest memories were going camping with his dad and brothers and fighting with the hens to gather eggs. David was also very close to his mother and grandmother. In 1960, David graduated from Bloomfield High School in New Mexico. He followed the crops for a while and ended up in El Paso, Texas, where he attended Durham College and received a certificate in Accounting. David was also part of the NASA LIM project at the White Sands Missile Range. The next few years, David earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Colorado State University while working for the Forestry Service and …

Colleen Sweeney passed away September 30, 2023 in Boise Idaho after a brief illness. Colleen was born January 6, 1936 to Leithead Elsworth “Doc” Sweeney and Grace Ina Sweeney (Stiner) she grew up in Cedarville California and was the oldest of four children, she attended grade school and high school there. At 5 and 7 yrs old she would help her grandfather Jess Stiner on his ranch with the daily milking of cows and drove a horse draw jig stacking hay. Colleen could play the piano, trumpet, and accordion. After graduating high school, she attended Chico State College where she got her teaching degree and continued her education to a master’s degree she taught in California and Boise State University. Colleen had a love for photography the outdoors assisted with bird surveys and had some photograph’s Published in magazines. She is preceded in death by her parents Leithead Elsworth “doc” …

Todd T Osmun, 54, died Friday, October 27 at his home in Plumas Lake, California surrounded by his loving family. Todd was born September 30, 1969 in Reno, Nevada and raised in Lovelock, Nevada. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Barbara (Keyser) Osmun. His sons; T.J. (Chandi), Trenton and Phoenix (Taira). His parents; Linda Jensen (Mike) and Pete Osmun (Judy) sister Dawn Courtore, and brother Tad Osmun (Julie) with extended family Cami Stephenson, Shannon Jensen, Jennifer Hill, Susie Ruiz (Pete) and Jim Caldwell (deceased) along with many close friends. Directly after graduating from Pershing County High School, he joined the Air Force retiring in 2007 after a successful career. During his career he and his family traveled to several places settling in Plumas Lakes where Trenton and Phoenix finished school. Following retirement, Todd worked for Siemens Building Technologies for 6-7 years. Todd had several tours while in …

“Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours.” John Wesley Elaine Mary Zeitlmann Altenburg Schmidt was born on May 14, 1936 in Berkeley, California to Lawrence Van Zeitlmann and Mary Katherine Emerson. She passed on October 20, 2023 at her home in Sparks. She moved with her mother to northern Nevada in the early 1940s, living mostly in Reno and Lovelock. Upon her mother’s death she was raised by her elementary school teacher, May Battcher, as her legal guardian. The entire Battcher family loved and embraced her as their own. After graduating from Pershing County High School, Elaine attended the University of Nevada, Reno on the Harold’s Club Scholarship and joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving as chapter president. During her first year of teaching at Central Jr. High, she met and married Giles Altenburg and they had three children: Melanie, Mary Kay and Rick. Elaine married John …

Nelo Mori was born on Feb. 22, 1924, in Fornovalasco, Italy, to Sam and Iolanda Mori. He passed away on Oct. 30, 2023, at the Mori Ranch, surrounded by his family, four months short of his 100th birthday. He came to the Unites States by way of Italy in 1938 at the age of 14, already an American citizen when he reached U.S. soil. He and his brother, Pete, achieved their citizenship due to the fact their grandfather, Pete, had come to the U.S. in 1876, and their father, Sam, made the trip in 1903 to attain citizenship. Nelo, along with his brother, Pete, took a train from New York City to Hazen, Nevada. Nelo made his home in Fallon until 1958, aside from the time he proudly served our country from 1946 through 1948 as a squad leader for the United States Army. He and his wife, Ida May …

Josephine Maverne “Jo” Koch Davis went to be with the Lord on October 25, 2023. She was born on November 7, 1922, in Bishop. California to William and Ena Koch. Jo lived in Bishop, California for a lot of her life. She attended LA City College but when she came home at Christmas time her sister, Francis, was ailing so she decided to stay home. She worked in the Bishop Music Store, at her father’s store, the Toggery; her brother’s store, Sierra Saddlery and Feed Store. She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church. While working in the Bishop Music Store, Jo met Howard Merton Davis Jr. and soon they were married on March 27, 1944, before he was shipped out to be stationed in England. The two shared 77 wonderful years together until Howard’s passing in 2021. They had two children together, Linda Marie and Susan Marlene. In …