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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Depner, Elizabeth Anne

Age 91

DEPNER, Elizabeth Anne (Age 91) Elizabeth Anne Depner, entered into eternal heaven on February 6, 2015 in Spokane, WA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Elizabeth was born to Edward P. and Elizabeth L. Schwehr in Belfield, N.D. on January 15, 1924.

She graduated from St. Pius High School in 1941 in Sheffield, ND and attended Nurse’s Training at Mercy Hospital in 1943 in Williston, ND, which included practicum in Elgin, ND and Chicago, IL.

She earned her Nursing Degree in 1946 and worked as a nurse in Billings, MT from 1947 until her marriage.

On May 21, 1949 she married Arthur Depner in Billings, MT and they had nine children.

She spent many years raising a family and later worked as a nurse at Valley Nursing Home in Billings.

She was very proud of her Nursing Degree and considered herself a nurse to the very end.

Art and Elizabeth were long time members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings until 2005 when they moved to Spokane, WA to be near family, where she became a member of Assumption Catholic Church.

Elizabeth loved the Lord and her family and always had a heart for serving others.

She believed in living each day to the fullest.

During her illness with Alzheimer’s she truly “lived for today”.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 65 years, Art, and eight children: James Depner of Billings, Dan and Roberta Depner of Spokane, Jerry and Christine Depner of Billings, Steve Depner of Spokane, Greg Depner of Billings, Joe Depner of Burien, WA, Chuck Depner of Spokane, Mary and Rob Johnson of Denver, CO.

Her daughter, Cheryl Koch of Spokane, preceded her in death.

She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann Schwehr of Billings; brothers, John and Loretta Schwehr of Billings, Richard and Sybil Schwehr of Sarasota, FL, Robert and Judy Schwehr of Boise, ID; and sisters-in-law, Eva Schwehr of Billing, Shirley Schwehr of Billings and Dorathy Schwehr of Santa Clara, CA, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Herman, Phil, Edward, Augustine, Stanislaus, Cyril, Francis, Leo; her sisters: Marilyn, Sister M. Esther, O.S.B, Eunice Mueller; daughter, Cheryl Koch; daughters-in-law, Joannie Depner (James) and Tish Depner (Chuck).

A rosary will be held at Assumption Catholic Church, 3624 West Indian Trail Rd in Spokane on Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30 pm.

A funeral Mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church on Thursday, February 12th at 11 am.

Burial will follow at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake with a reception following at Assumption Catholic Church.

Her family would like to thank all the caregivers at Clare Bridge of Spokane for the wonderful care she received there.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001 or go to www.alzfdn.org for more information.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.