Obituaries for October, 2023

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Daniel (Dan) Patrick Bussa. Dan was born on the way to the hospital, on February 10, 1965 to Raymond and Maureen Bussa, in Reno, NV. Dan, unexpectedly, left this world on September 29, 2023, at the age of 58. When Dan was young, he went to work for Trim Line of Reno where he quickly became a natural at window tinting, pin-striping, and auto detailing. Later in life, he opened his own business. When Dan was in his late 30’s, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He was referred to Stanford Medical Center in California for treatment and eventually put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Thanks to the professionals at Stanford and support from numerous friends and family, Dan received a new heart in October, 2014. Dan spent most of his life in Reno, NV. In 2016, he …

Melvin “Dusty” Rex Gokey Jr passed away on October 18, 2023, at his home in Winnemucca, Nevada. He was born on October 6, 1958, in Madera, California to Melvin Rex Gokey Sr and Alice Lee Hogue. He married Tina Carbone 7 years ago. He was an amazing father to Samantha Wallace, Jessica Gokey, Renee Gokey, Shelly Gokey, William Gokey, Jerry Carrington, and Karista Hughes. He worked at Gokey Farms and later opened a Feed Store with his wife, Tina. He enjoyed working in his garage during his pastime. Dusty was one of the hardest working men from hauling hay, which he loved to do, to tending to his and Tina’s local feed store. He was always making people smile. He loved to make people laugh. And most people who knew him went from being a friend and becoming family. He will always be remembered as a loving, caring, funny, hardworking …

Francisca “Francey” Inda Ochoa, 73, of Winnemucca, NV passed away on October 16, 2023 with her daughters and granddaughter by her side. Francey was born on August 12, 1950 in Roseburg, Oregon to Isidoro and Mary “Grino” Inda. The Inda family moved from Bandon, Oregon to the Upper Clover Ranch in 1962, then to Winnemucca in 1965, which became her home. Francey met Francisco “Frank” Ochoa shortly after the Inda family moved to the Upper Clover Ranch. She quickly fell in love with the handsome ranch hand that came to work for them and knew that she would one day be married to him. Frank followed the Inda family to Winnemucca in 1965 and he and Francey were married on September 24, 1966. They were blessed with 3 daughters, Nancy, Alicia and Sylvia. Francey spent her life as a homemaker and owner of Basque Janitorial. Francey was a hard worker …

Bela L Svoboda Jr., 62, of Lovelock (Rye Patch) Nevada passed away unexpectedly May 25, 2023. Bela was born on December 14, 1961 in Newport Tennessee. He was an Optometry Specialist in Winnemucca NV for many years, graduating from UC Berkeley School of Optometry in 1994. While attending UC Berkeley, he would work weekends dealing blackjack at Harra’s. After graduation Bela worked for a doctor in Las Vegas until he moved to Reno in 1996 working for other doctor’s offices until 2000 when he purchased the practice (Northern Nevada Eye Care) in Winnemucca working alongside his co-owner for many years. He was a member of the Lions Club and would be involved in yearly health screenings as well as provide free eye exams and glasses to those that could not afford either. Bela retired in 2018. He enjoyed traveling, ATV riding and simply hanging with his friends (as he would …

Dan Thomas Powell born April 22, 1948 in Hawthorn, Nv. He passed away at his home surrounded by his family on October 1, 2023. Dan is preceded in death by his parents Milton Lofton Powell and Dorothy May Huff and his in-laws he proudly called Dad and Mom Ignacio Joseph Leyva and Juanita Leyva. Dan is survived by his wife of 55 years Josephine Louise Leyva Powell. Sons Dan Thomas Powell Jr. ( Mishawn), Leonard Alan Powell, David Weisenberger (Kim) all of Ely, Nv. One brother Paul Alan Powell of Hawthorn, Nv. Grand Kids Thomas Matthew Powell ( Caroline) of Reno,Nv Kristen Leigh Ann Smith (Jerry) of Ely, NV Michael Alan Powell (Amanda) of Reno, Nv and Danielle Nicole Fennimore (Angelo) of Cottage Grove, Or and Sharla Weisenberger of Fl. Dan also had 12 Great Grandchildren. Dan proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Dan began …

(1965-2023) KRAIG KENNETH LORDS, 58, passed away in his home on October 12th, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children after an intense, 4-month battle with brain cancer. Kraig was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on September 19, 1965, to Kenneth and Carmen (Mecham) Lords. At age 2 they moved to Winnemucca, Nevada, where he grew up and completed his school years. He then went to Brigham Young University where he studied Psychology. He served a mission in Portugal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1984-1986, where he met his future wife, Sue, who was also serving a mission at the time. They ran into each other back at BYU and discovered a special connection. Kraig and Linda Sue Purnell were married in the Logan, Utah Temple on August 14th, 1987. Their two daughters were born while living in Provo, Utah, where Kraig continued his schooling …

Born August 14, 1931 in Grandview Idaho. Wilbur, as he was known for most of his life, was the third of six children born to Clarence and Edna Whitted. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy and served as a Seaman aboard the destroyer USS Perkins. The ship did a tour of the coast of China in 1949 and was involved in transferring foreign residents to Hong Kong when Communist forces took over Tsingtao. In 1951 the ship and crew were stationed off the coast of Korea as gunfire support. In March of 1952, while the ship was in port in the US, Wilbur married his sweetheart, Doreen Overstreet. After being discharged from the Navy in October of 1952, he returned to Idaho where he and Doreen started their lives together. While he had only an 8th grade education, he was a man of many talents and abilities, …

James “Jim” Edwin McKillop, 75, of Winnemucca, NV passed away on October 9, 2023. James was born on December 16, 1947, to James and Jean McKillop in Eugene, OR. He grew up in Oregon, where he could often be found running track and playing football. He graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1966 and went on to study business at Southern Oregon College. After graduating, sunnier days called James to Northern Nevada where he started McKillop Construction. James met Charlene Martin in Lake Tahoe and they wed in 1975. They had two children, Jamie and Jesse, and three grandchildren, Shelby, Ellie, and Evan. He enjoyed spending time with them most of all. Outside of his family, James spent much of his energy being a dedicated business owner, building custom homes throughout Lake Tahoe, Minden, Gardnerville, Carson City and Winnemucca. James was a man of faith. After raising his children, …

Juliet Elizabeth Fletcher was born June 28, 1948, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She was given the nickname Judy early on and was known by that name throughout her lifetime. She moved sixteen times throughout her childhood, as her parents Dick and Ruth Fletcher liked to travel and try new adventures. Judy graduated from high school at John F. Kennedy high School in Anaheim California in 1966. She then moved to LA to be near her sister Linda Geringer, and this is where she met the kid’s dad. LA proved to be an expensive place to live so Judy decided to move to Battle Mountain, Nevada in 1974 to be near her other sister Jeanette Itza. She found work there and decided that they were not going to move again once the kids started school. The home she made for her kids was full of love, music, and sports. She …

Virginia Lee Prest went to her long-awaited home in heaven, Tuesday September 26, 2023, where she was living with her younger son in Albany, OR. Virginia’s husband Tim passed several years ago, and she is survived by her two sons, Craig and Keith, four Grandchildren and six Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grandson. Though Virgie, as everyone who knew her called her, may have started life with some really different situations and circumstances in her early life, she went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, perfect, pure and holy and at peace. While along for the ride one day to leave her older brother with a foster care couple, the woman noted how cute Virgie was, so her mother replied that they could have her too. For several years she enjoyed living with her foster parents in Dayton, Nv. but at age 10 the State …

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nola Thomson on September 30, 2023, at her home in Winnemucca, Nevada. Nola was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on May 6, 1941, and grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, alongside her 11 older siblings. In addition to Pocatello, Nola resided in Auburn, Wyoming for a short time, as well as in Soda Springs, Idaho. After eloping to Reno in 1967 to wed her beloved husband, Dennis, Nola and Dennis relocated from Idaho to Nevada with their three children in 1968, establishing Winnemucca as their cherished home for the past 55 years. Nola was a multi-faceted entrepreneur. Some might remember her from Sonoma Heights as a playground monitor, or as a sorting operator for Kracaw, or as a painter, or as the owner of a Ryder franchise, or as the vivacious bartender and owner of Club 40 for 20+ years. …

On Thursday evening, September 28, 2023, Battle Mountain resident, Bobinell Long passed away peacefully with family by her side. Bobi, as she was affectionately known, was born in Grants, New Mexico, in 1934 during the midst of the Great Depression. The economic turmoil of the times led her family to settle in Northern California. There, she attended school, married, had 6 children, worked, thrived and raised a family. She enjoyed music, dancing, gardening, being outdoors and reading throughout her life. Although her body was failing, Bobi remained mentally sharp, and she continued to enjoy literature and adventures through audiobooks right up to her passing. Eventually, Bobi moved to Battle Mountain, Nevada, in 2015 where she enjoyed the warm sunny weather the remainder of her life. Bobi was 88 years old, and is survived by her beloved sister in Arizona, her children who live throughout the United States, 12 grandchildren, 20 …

Earl William Horton passed away on September 2, 2023, in Reno, Nevada. He was born on October 28, 1932, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Carl and Eugenia Horton. He was a lifelong resident of Winnemucca, Nevada. He graduated from Humboldt County High School. After high school, he joined the United States Navy and served 4 years during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and received two medals for good conduct. After returning home, he was employed by the Bureau of Land Management as a heavy equipment operator and firefighter. He retired from the BLM after 33 years. He was a member of the Buckaroo Hall of Fame and served on the board of trustees. He enjoyed playing his guitar, going to the hills to prospect, gardening, reading books, fishing, and watching sports. He was a lifelong 49ers fan! Earl was much loved and will be deeply missed. He …

Nevada Lee York had her last ice cream cup on September 26, 2023, at Harmony Manor in Winnemucca. She was born on January 31, 1932, in the family home at Flanagan Nevada to Lee Otto Rivers and Gwendolyn Mary Rivers. Nevada was the first born of the Rivers’ clan joining older sisters, Mary and Paula. She was blessed to have siblings Nadine, Dawn, Lee Otto, and June growing up. The family lived in Flanagan and Wadsworth and finally settled in Sparks. Nevada graduated from Sparks High School in1949. She was working as a telephone operator when she met Patrick York. They married on November 5, 1951. Patsy, Michael, and Terry were born in Reno, then the family moved to Winnemucca where Richard and Jeff were born. Nevada was a homemaker and master of many talents — nothing she couldn’t build or take apart. She went to work at C B …

William Lee Stanton, 78, passed away of natural causes at his home on September 25, 2023. Bill was born on August 5, 1945 in Havre, Montana to Archie and Helen Stanton. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Lewistown where he spent his childhood and graduated from Fergus County High School in 1963. After high school, Bill enlisted in the Army where he completed basic training and went on to the Army Reserves. Bill met Patti Hovden at the old Snuffy’s Bar in Lewistown and they were wed in May of 1974. Together they had 2 children, Kelly and William (Bill). During their marriage they lived in Lewistown and Helena. Bill and Patti later divorced. While working at the Last Chance Gulch Mine, Bill met Liz Tone in Clancy, Montana. They were united in marriage on May 7, 1983 in a Muzzleloader Rendezvous wedding. Liz brought to the marriage …

March 8, 1935- September 9, 2023 Winnemucca, NV Charles Hanel took a terrible fall in June and had a hard time recovering. He passed away in Fernley, Nevada on September 9, 2023 at age 88. Charlie was born on March 8, 1935, in Buhl, Idaho. He was the second child and the only boy in a family that would eventually include five sisters. Charlie and his siblings were raised mostly bytheir mother in South Salt Lake City. Charlie became a phenomenal welder and a lifelong member of The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. He worked for many years in the mines around Winnemucca, Nevada. His work was always top notch. After retiring in 2000, he opened his own welding business; people still comment on the quality of his work. In his younger days, Charlie bounced around from job site to job site. He was twice divorced and a father of 6 …