Rosaleen Fay Ness

Passed away on October 15, 2013 in Spokane Valley, Washington. She was born with a twin sister at home on July 7, 1926 to William and Lola (McEwen) Boone near Winlock, Washington. Her twin sister was Kathleen Teitzel and their three older sisters were Inez Wagner, Ruby Schruder, and Mabel Lindberg. She was the last surviving of the five girls.

Rosaleen grew up on a dairy farm near Winlock, Washington. She and her twin sister ran the farm by the time they were in high school due to their father’s longterm illness. After graduating as valedictorian from Toledo High School in 1944 she moved with her twin sister to Port Angeles, Washington and worked in a pulp mill for a year. She briefly attended Seattle Pacific University before being accepted in the Nurse Cadet Corp in 1945 and attending Swedish Hospital Nursing School. She became a registered nurse in 1948 and practiced as a surgical nurse from 1948 to 1954. During that time she attended the University of Washington and graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing degree in 1954. She was a school nurse for the Seattle Public School District for one year.

In 1956, she married Elmer Ness of Worley, Idaho and had 46 years of a happy marriage until his death in 2002. They lived and farmed near Worley from 1956 until 1999 when they moved to Spokane Valley, Washington. Rosaleen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 57 years. She was active in her community as a cub scout leader, girl scout leader, Red Cross first aid instructor, local election official, PTA member and 70 year Grange member. Rosaleen loved spending time with her family and friends and attending activities at her church. She enjoyed playing pinochle, sewing, fishing, and travel. She also took time to visit friends in the hospital and nursing homes.

She is survived by her three children: Clark (Karen) Ness of Spokane Valley, Washington; Rolf (Suzi) Ness of North Pole, Alaska; and Margie (Mike) LaShaw of Rockford, Washington. She is also survived by six grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 3 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N 5th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund for use in the church’s visitation ministry.

To view Rosaleen’s online memorial, please visit www.thornhillvalley.com

Rosaleen’s family and friends will greatly miss her but praise God for her wonderful life.