Desert Messenger

February 15, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 25 Keep Quartzsite Clean and Beautiful As snowbirds start their migration north for the summer, the Desert Messenger wishes to remind everyone not to put their trimmings/ brush in the washes. Please dispose responsibly, anytime, at the Town's chipper yard, near the transfer station on Hwy. 95, 1/2 + mile north of the Firestation. THE TRANSFER STATION IS OPEN SUN. - WED. 7:30AM-2:30PM. Also please remember coyotes are wild animals... please don't feed the wildlife! CAMPERS, REMEMBER... PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT! In Memoriam DONNIE MILLER Donald Miller, age 77 of Salome, Arizona passed away on January 5th, 2022 in Parker, Arizona. Donald Dean Miller was born on January 24, 1944 in Dupree, SD to Lewis (Cully) and Margaret Miller. Donnie grew up south of Dupree and attended grad school at White Swan School which was located near their home. White Swan School was a special place for Donnie and his siblings. Many tales have been told over the years of all the great times had by the families and neighbors that went to school there. Then, Donnie attended Dupree High School, graduating in 1961. After graduation Donnie joined the US Navy so he could see the world. He was blind in one eye but he memo- rized the eye chart so he could pass the eye test to get in. It only took a few days for them to fi gure out that he count sot see out of the one eye and Navy career was over. Donnie took a trip west with a friend to Montana, Idaho, and Washing- ton, staying with family along the way. He then returned to Dupree and worked in the area but decided to move west the next spring. He worked on a total of 5 dams in Mon- tana and Washington, even working alongside his brothers Bob and Jerry on the Boundary Dam in Washing- ton. It was during this time that he met Stella Campbell and they mar- ried on October 25, 1966. Jeffrey Dean was born November 3, 1968, while they were still living in Libby, MT. Donnie learned to play the guitar and started singing. He then formed The Donnie Miller Band and started his career in the music business. Donnie and Stella bought a place in Post Falls, ID and contin- ued to make music together. His second son, Brian Cully, was born September 21, 1971. Stella was killed in a car accident May 5, 1976. Don- nie and the boys continued to live in Post Falls and Bonte joined the fam- ily in 1978. Donnie enjoyed taking the kids on hiking trips and camping in the mountains. He enjoyed the kids' sporting events and even helped coach some the their teams. Finally, Donnie got tired of the cold Idaho winters and started go- ing south to Arizona and playing music there in the winter months. He eventually sold the place in Post Falls and bought some property in Arizona and moved there full time. He played music and did karaoke at the Yacht Club in Quartzsite from 1991 until the time of his passing. Donnie was a dreamer, and inven- tor, a carpenter, a mechanic, an art- ist, an outdoors enthusiast, an enter- tainer with the gift of gab. A special, one-of-kind human being loved by all that had the chance to meet him. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents Lewis (Cully) and Mar- garet Miller: wife, Stella Miller; infant daughter Jacquelin Miller; siblings, Inez Miller, Robert (Bob) Miller, Gerald (Jerry) Miller and Margaret (Maggie) Laurenz, and brothers-in-law Dale Eberhard and Frank Laurenz. Donnie is survived by his sons Jef- frey Miller and Brian (Tami) Miller, Seattle, WA; Step Daughter Bonte (Steve) Nemec, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Grandsons Caden and Tyler Miller, Seattle, WA; Granddaughter, Abutree Schroeder, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Sib- lings Lewie (Colleen) Miller, Athol, ID; Liz Eberhard, Rapid City, SD and Jean (Clint) Farlee, Dupree, SD. GLORIA W-V. N Our adorable, spirited Mother, Gloria W-V. N., passed away on Dec. 7, at the age of 97.Gloria moved to Quartzsite in September, 2019. She enjoyed sight-seeing and dining at the local cafes. She ap- preciated Quartzsite's small town charm, including the fi reworks and parades. Gloria enjoyed reading and creative writing and being an awesome mom and enthusiastic grandmother. Gloria is survived by her children, Landon and Ellen, 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grand children; Mica, Oona, Lochlan, Siobhan, Lizabet, Warren, Samantha and Emerson. Gloria grew up on the coast and spent summers at the beach. She met her fi rst husband in a college art class. Their family joined the Si- erra Club in 1962 and spent a good deal of time off-road cruising and hiking. Before moving to Arizona, Gloria was a museum docent, and a historical society member. She loved attending Opera and Shake- speare performances. We want to thank the Quartzsite community for being consistently friendly and considerate to our Mother. LINDA MARIE BREASAW Linda Marie Breasaw returned to the arms of her Lord on January 18, 2023 at Phoenix, Az after an ex- tended illness. Linda was born in California May 28, 1955, raised in Idaho, and came to Arizona in 2006 from Washing- ton State with her husband Merle (Felix) Breasaw. In 2011 she ar- rived in Quartzsite to care for her parents, and continued providing in-home care of others throughout her life. Her passion was spend- ing her golden years entertaining friends locally and was well known and appreciated for her hospitality, hosting formal banquet style seated feasts in her home. Linda was preceded in death by her father Joe Carrillo, and mother Lorraine (Cookie) Colombini. She was survived by Felix, her hus- band of 28 years, sisters Judy/Mark of California, and Gail/Tandy, Deb- bie/Walt of Idaho, her Daughter Christi/Greg of Oregon, and step- daughters Thea/Donnie and Tam- my/Jason of Washington state, sister in law John/Paula and Teena of Washington, Rhonda/Bob of Ne- vada as well as numerous grand- children and great grandchildren. A celebration of Linda's life will be held at her home later this season.

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