Teresa (Nana) Irene Vining

Teres (Nana) Irene Vining, a devoted wife, daughter, loving stepmother, Nana, great-Nana, friend, and faithful servant of the Lord, went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 15, 2025 at the age of 63. Her life was a testament to grace, grit, strength, determination, and unwavering faith.

Teres was born in Cutbank, Montana on Nov. 7, 1961, to Nick and Joan (Hurst) Negu. Teres was then raised on a ranch in northern British Columbia, Canada, where her love for horses and ranch life began. Her first job was with George Juker, working with race and chariot horses. After moving to the United States, where she lived with her Uncle Dick Hurst and his family, Teres graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1979. Her journey into the world of cutting horses started with Billy Collins, setting her on a path that would span states and touch countless lives. She began her professional career working for Harlan Radomske in Ellensburg, Washington, starting colts by Doc Bar Gem. Her talent and dedication led her to the Doc Bar Ranch in California under Charlie Ward, and later to Texas, where she worked with esteemed trainers such as Barbara Schulte and Tom Lyons. One of Teres’ greatest career accomplishments was participating in several NCHA Futurity Cuttings.

Teres returned to Kettle Falls to visit family often. It was on one of those visits, in 1990, that she met a handsome young man, Randy Vining. After several years of dating, she moved to Washington to begin their life together. Teres jumped right into parenthood to Randy’s three young children, Joy, Ryan, and Randy Jr. She was a great cook, attended sporting events, provided structure, and created a warm and loving home for Randy and the children. Being a horse trainer, she made sure the kids also had a horse, Chaps, of their own to ride and work as well. Teres continued to work and managed the Ron Knutson Ranch in Valley, Washington, for 15 years, and later trained horses independently while also assisting with trainings and cuttings at Bonina for Bob and Nina Lundgren.

Teres was a devout Christian who loved the Lord above all else. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she instilled these values in her family through her example, Bible studies, and constant prayer. She played a major role in strengthening Randy and the kids’ faith. She found immense joy in her role as a wife, stepmom, Nana, and great-Nana, cherishing every moment spent with her family. Teres loved caring for and training her horses, working alongside Randy with the cattle on their ranch, working harder than anyone around, and devoting hours to reading her bible and sharing her knowledge of it with her family and all who crossed her path. Another hidden talent that she didn’t display to many was her pencil drawings, she was quite the artist. She enjoyed hunting and did so as often as she could. She was famous for calling Randy to tell him to hurry up and get home; they had work to do because she had just gotten an elk or a buck. She was tough and resilient. Her legacy of love, faith, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Teres could not only do anything she put her mind to, but she did it well.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Randy Vining of Chewelah; her mother, Joan Negu of Kettle Falls; daughter Joy McIrvin and husband Dave of Colville; son Ryan Vining of Spokane; daughter-in-law Cristy of Deer Park; son Randy Vining Jr. and wife Rhea of Daisy; brothers Ross Negu and wife Lisa of Idaho, and Ryan Negu; brother-in-law Tracey Vining and wife Fran of Kettle Falls, and Sister-in-law Kim Frostad and husband Troy of Yakima. Teres was a proud Nana to Haley (Joel), Autumn (Chayce), Katie (Dalton), Dawson (Essence), Sydney, Mackenzie, Cooper, and Bradyn, and a joyful great-Nana to Benjamin, Gemma, Birkley, Scarlett, Wynter, Judah, Barrett, Abigail, Ivey, Rhyatt, and a baby boy on the way. As well as numerous extended family members, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Colville Ag & Trade Center on Nov. 16, at 11 a.m.