NOTE: Aside from the date of death, the following obituary was written by Beulah Wynans herself.

Beulah Fern (Sturm) Wynans died on April 15, 2015 from a long battle with throat cancer that began in 2000. She passed away while surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home with the vista of her beloved Wallowa County Mountains in front of her.

Beulah was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on Oct. 1, 1955 to Wanda (Berner) and Jack Sturm. She joined three older brothers — Jim, Bob and Bryce — at the family home in Flora.

Beulah attended school in Flora until transferring to Enterprise Elementary School in the 4th grade. When the family moved to Umapine, she graduated from Umapine High School in 1973. After a 29-year respite, Beulah returned to the classroom as a non-traditional student and earned her teaching degree with honors from Eastern Oregon University in 2006.

In 1974 Beulah married Jim Wynans, and they lived for a brief time in Prineville where Jim was a wildlife biologist. Soon thereafter, they moved to the Wynans family property on the Lostine River where she lived the rest of her life. For over 20 years they owned and operated a refrigeration and appliance business while raising sheep, cattle, and hay. Beulah also worked as a wheat truck driver, bookkeeper, housekeeper, yard worker, painter, gas station and convenience store attendant, waitress, teacher’s assistant, teacher, substitute teacher in all the Wallowa County schools, and office manager for the Nez Perce Interpretive Center.

In her spare time Beulah enjoyed working in her yard and garden, reading, crafting, sewing, and photography. In addition, she participated in the annual Nez Perce Tamkaliks Celebration; traveled to the many places where her kids lived; and hiked and backpacked in the high mountains of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

Beulah loved the time she spent with her darling baby granddaughter, Sloane. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends.

Beulah is survived by her most precious gifts of life — her son, Reid (Kimberly Lewis) of Alabama; and daughter, Jody of California — who made her proud from the day they were born.

Other survivors include her devoted life partner, Larry Forsgren of Lostine; mother, Wanda (Berner, Sturm) Dombrosky of Milton-Freewater; granddaughter, Sloane of Alabama; brother, Jim (Marcella) of Idaho; sister-in-law, Susan of Newberg; brother, Bryce of Milton-Freewater; and step-brothers, Leo (Tami), Dick (Linda) and Bob (Millie) Dombrosky, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; father, Jack; and brother, Bob; and step-father, Rube Dombrosky.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 2, 2015 at 2 p.m. at The Arbor where the annual Tamkaliks Celebration occurs (70956 Whiskey Creek Road, Wallowa) followed by a potluck at the Wallowa Senior Center in Wallowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wallowa School Foundation, Wallowa County 4-H, Lending Heart Community Resources of Wallowa County, or a charity of your choice.