DeeLoris Anna (Semprimoznik) Sylvester, 82, passed away August 21st, 2016 at her home in Oroville, surrounded by her loving family.

DeeLoris was born December 7, 1933 to Albert and Rose Semprimoznik at the family ranch in Aeneas Valley. She attended San Poil School, riding horseback with her siblings, as the school was six miles from home. She was able to skip two grades in the one room school house system. DeeLoris then started Tonasket High School, working for room and board with several families until she graduated in 1950.

After graduating from high school, DeeLoris attended Eastern State College in Cheney, working to pay her way at various jobs. She was proud to earn her degree in Education and went on to teach school in Tonasket, Kennewick and Oroville. She also coached a variety of sports, which she enjoyed. DeeLoris always kept in contact with many former students, who had fond memories of her being a favorite teacher.

DeeLoris met Gordon Sylvester at a dance held at Ellisforde Grange, marrying Aug. 11, 1956, at the Tonasket Community Church. They made their home on the family apple orchard where together they raised their four children and were blessed with 52 happy years of marriage. Following the death of Gordon in 2008, DeeLoris partnered with her son John, doing payroll and other duties right up until her death.

After DeeLoris retired from teaching, she was a devoted stay-at-home mom to her four kids. The kids remember her always being there – whether it was with milk and cookies after school, being a Girl Scout leader, helping coach sports and attending every function. She was athletic and could be very competitive; loving to play tennis for many years, going sledding, and some never to be forgotten, fierce ping pong matches. She and Gordon travelled many miles to see sporting events, not just their kids, but other family members’ games as well.

DeeLoris came from a very close family that spent a lot of time together, resulting in a legacy passed on to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. “There’s nothing more important than family” she often quoted. It was a wonderful blessing that her last full day on this Earth was spent at a family gathering, visiting with all her loved ones. DeeLoris took a personal interest in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, Tawanka, also staying active volunteering for the Oroville Food Bank, Red Cross Blood Drive and the Oroville Scholarship Foundation.

DeeLoris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed, but we will cherish the many special memories that remain in our hearts.

DeeLoris is survived by daughters Jodi (Nathan) Shirley, Jina (Jerry) Nelson of Oroville and Lisa Weech of Spokane; a son, John (Anna) Sylvester of Oroville; grandchildren Taylor and Ryan Weech, Adeline, Isaac, and Eliza Sylvester, Kelley Woodard; two great-grandchildren Sage and Easton Woodard; two sisters, Emily Carlton-Shove, Virginia Lorz; brother Al (Gayle) Semprimoznik and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Marie Brown and niece Jennifer Johnson-Gilnet.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Oroville United Methodist Church, with interment following at Oroville Riverview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Oroville United Methodist Church, Oroville Scholarship Foundation or the charity of your choice.