Tamarra Ann Christian-Dreiske
Tamarra Ann Christian-Dreiske, 37, born in Beaufort, S.C. died peacefully on Wednesday Nov. 12, surrounded by her family, friends and her very special co-workers.

Tamarra grew up in Oklahoma City and was the daughter of Michael Nitzel and Wanda Cobb. She was a graduate from Choctaw High School in Choctaw, Okla.
She was a successful business woman working in the automotive field as a marketing specialist, then as a financial administrator in Oklahoma, Texas and Florida.

Tamarra was able to complete her dream of becoming a nurse receiving her associate’s degree in nursing from Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla. in May 2006. She worked at Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital. Nursing was her passion, and she was dedicated to it. She loved going to work. Tamarra received the Nurse of the Year Award in 2008-2009.

Because of her care and compassion for her patients and their families, she was awarded the Integris Health Guardian Angel Award. Tamarra was also furthering her education in her field, striving to obtain her bachelors’ degree from Southern Nazarene University.

She loved the outdoors and athletics. She enjoyed boating, four wheeling, motorbiking, going to the lake and spending time with her family and friends. She loved animals and spent a lot of time taking Hunter to the zoo and park.

Tamarra and John enjoyed traveling, boating and sharing adventures together. She made friends easily and never met a stranger. She was very dedicated to women’s awareness of breast cancer and was a huge supporter of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and participating in the Susan G. Komen three-day 60-mile walk. Her first was the Dallas-Fort Worth walk in 2006 with her mother.

Tamarra crossed the finish line early, and her beaming mom got severe blisters and had to wait for her. She did the Tampa, Fla., walk in 2007 and numerous shorter walks of three, five or 10 miles, always walking with her huge smile. Tamarra had cancer, but the cancer never had Tamarra — she was too spirited for it.

She had a saying on her Web site: “It is not about the destination, but the journey that gets us there,” which you can visit at www.twiceflight.com.
Bravely she participated on her third three-day walk in Dallas on Nov. 7, 2008, with her mother and two great friends, Rachel and Emily, and Emily’s mom Rhonda.

Tamarra walked the first day. The second day she was red tagged and was only allowed to participate in a wheelchair, and participate she did!

The third day she stepped out of the chair, and with the doctor at her side and the biggest smile on her face, she walk across the finish line.

She was courageous, and she had a saying that she gained strength from: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”

She was an inspiration to so many who she passed on her way — smiling, waving and giving everyone her thumbs up. She committed herself to laughter and love every day, the best she could. She loved her family and friends.

The family gives a special thanks to Dr. Armor and his amazing fighting team. Thank you to her friends and co-workers at Canadian Valley (her second family at work) — the care and love from them was so very comforting.

Thank you to Tators restaurant for their friendship and support . The owners’ generously held a benefit to help sponsor Tamarra and her team for the Susan G. Komen three-day walk.

Tamarra was preceded in death by her grandmother Velma Nitzel and her grandfather Lamont Cobb.
Tamarra leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved John Dreiske and their son, Hunter Dreiske, age 3 1/2; a son Cameron Christian, age 16; a daughter, Michaela Christian, age 14; and a stepdaughter, Amanda Christian-Welch.

Other survivors include her mother and best friend, Wanda Smith and her husband Eddie Smith, her father Michael Nitzel and his wife Beverly; a brother, Robert Nitzel and his wife Wendy; a brother Michael Smith; maternal grandmother Betty Cobb; maternal step-grandmother Shirley Bellomy; paternal grandfather Robert Nitzel; and a large extended family that includes many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Much gratitude and appreciation for all the support that John’s mother, Kathie had given to Tamarra, Michaela and her family.

Donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.

Visitation will be held at Yanda and Son funeral home in Yukon, Okla., on from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 at Yanda and Son Funeral Home. Private interment. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home.

Aurora Lerma
Funeral services for Aurora Torres Lerma are pending with Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lerma died Thursday at her home in Union City.

Israel Jonas Prodoehl
A graveside service for Israel Jonas Prodoehl will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Sunnylane Cemetery in Del City. The burial is under the direction of McNeil’s Funeral Home.

Survivors include parents, Philip and Maree Prodoehl of Yukon; sisters, Meckynzzy, Megan and Jordan; grandparents, Raymond and Carol Woolard of Mustang and Dale and Minnie Prodoehl of Rockwall, Texas.

Aaron Paul Pack
Funeral services for Aaron Paul Pack, 26, were held Friday at Mustang Church of the Nazarene with burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. Services were under direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service.

Mr. Pack died Tuesday at his home in Oklahoma City. He was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in Oklahoma City, El Reno, Mustang and Decatur, Ill. He was a graduate of Bethany High School and had a bachelor’s of science degree in systems network management from Southern Nazarene University. He had worked for Standard Aero at Tinker Air Force Base and was employed at 3Nines Technology. He was a member of Tuttle First Church of the Nazarene.

He is survived by his parents, Rev. Glenn and Cheri Pack of Tuttle; a sister, Shelli Todd; and his grandmother, Jeanette Pack.

Patsy A. Brown
Funeral services for Patsy A. Brown, 69, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Bridge Assembly of God in Mustang with private burial in the Mustang Cemetery. Services are under direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service.

Mrs. Brown died Tuesday. She was a resident of The Woodlands, Texas, but had lived in Bethany for more than 40 years. She was born in Albert and grew up in California and Oklahoma City. She was a 1957 graduate of Northwest Classen High School and in 1991, received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She taught school for a short time. She was a volunteer for the past five years at the Herman Memorial Hospital in The Woodlands. She was a member of Spring First Assembly of God in Spring, Texas.

She is survived by her husband, Bud of the home; daughters, Ginger Lowry of Jenks and Gina Guy of The Woodlands, Texas; and four grandchildren.