Wind River

Wind River, born Jean Louise Drescher, passed away at the age of 63 in her home in Silver City, N.M. on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. She was a passionate artist, photographer, environmentalist, musician and animal lover. River was born on Aug. 7, 1949, in Dallas, Texas, to Arthur and Carolyn Drescher. She had one older brother, Ted Drescher. When she was about 3 years of age, River's artistic talent evidenced itself for the first time when she began drawing. Combined with her love of nature, this gift would develop into a yearning to become a freelance wildlife artist. Although her pursuit of this dream would never bring her the financial freedom she so hoped to achieve, her innate ability never failed to inspire awe and admiration. Over the course of her life, River was married to Kyoji Miyazaki, Stuart Skadden, and, if they had but lived in a common-law state, Larry Phifer. As a young woman, River took community college courses in Marin County, Calif., and later in life pursued further formal education in dental assisting, nursing and truck driving. River lived in many different places throughout her life: Lone Star and Longview, Texas; Laramie, Wyo.; Reno, Nev.; Riverside, San Rafael, Berkeley, Oakland, Foresthill, Auburn, Woodland, and Esparto, Calif.; Bend, Oregon; and Silver City, N.M. She chose her name, Wind River, in memory of family vacations during her childhood years in the Bridger Wilderness Area of the Wind River Range of Wyoming in which she, her parents and her brother camped, fished, hiked and rode on horseback in the back country. River loved to spend time in nature, was an exceptionally talented wildlife and nature artist and photographer, loved her many diverse pets and both crafted and played Native American flutes. She infused all these and her other varied pursuits with her hallmark passion, drive, excellence, integrity and spirit. River is survived by her longtime partner Larry Phifer of Silver City; two daughters, Lara Miyazaki of Sacramento, Calif., and Tamara Miyazaki Cline of Citrus Heights, Calif., along with her son-in-law Brian Cline and two grandchildren, Nadia and Aidan Cline. She is also survived by her older brother, Ted Drescher of Golden, Colo.; her dear friend Stuart Skadden of Santa Clara, N.M.; and her two dogs, Yuki and Kodi. To send condolences, please log in to: www.bacasfuneralchapels.com. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Silver City, Baca's Silver City Crematory, 3805 Delk Drive. Phone 388-2334. Exclusive provider for "Veterans & Family Memorial Care."