The Skamania County Pioneer, Stevenson, WA., December 12, 2001, page

UNDERWOOD MAN DIES IN A TRACTOR ACCIDENT

     A longtime Underwood resident, 71-year-old Howard Sooter, died Monday, Dec. 3, when his tractor tipped over, pinning him underneath. The accident occurred on Circle Drive, near the Underwood Community Center.
     The Skamania County Sheriff's Department received a call at 2:05 p.m. from a man who was helping Sooter load firewood into the bucket of a tractor.
     The yard slopes somewhat, according to the accident report. Sooter picked up a pallet, starting across the yard. He raised the bucket and the tractor overturned, the report said. Skamania County Emergency Medical Services, Skyline Ambulance and Skamania County deputies responded. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. (See obituary, page two.)

The Skamania County Pioneer, Stevenson, WA., December 12, 2001, page 2

HOWARD ELBERT SOOTER

     Howard Elbert Sooter, 71, died Dec. 3, 2001. He was born Dec. 14, 1929, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Elbert Eugene and Elva May (Skeen) Sooter.
     Mr. Sooter grew up in the Willamette Valley and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He settled in Underwood after his discharge from the military service. He worked as a surveyor for the Corps of Engineers and retired in 1974.
     Mr. Sooter loved to tinker with his tractor and also enjoyed hunting.

     He is survived by his wife, Con'E Sooter of Underwood; son Elbert Eugene Sooter of Longview; one granddaughter, one grandson and two great grandchildren.
     Also surviving are his step­children Conniejo McCloud of Coos Bay, Ore., Steven DuQuist of Underwood, Sherrie Kittelstevdt of Spokane and Tonya Hernandez of Portland, Ore.; ten step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
     A memorial service was held on Dec. 9. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adventist Famine Relief c/o the White Salmon Seventh Day Adventist Church or to the American Diabetes Association c/o Gardner Funeral Home, P.O. Box 390, White Salmon, Wash. 98672. Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.