Wanita Leona Colbert

Wanita Leona (Bolser) Colbert passed away after a 40 year fight with MS on June 7, 2012 at Republic, Wash.

“Mom” was born in Spokane, Wash., on Aug. 26, 1932 to Leo M. Bolser and Wanda (Wilson) Bolser. At age 11 her and her two brothers moved to Pontiac Ridge, to live with their aunt Estella Greer. She grew up there in a log house nestled among the tall trees, with blue skies and fresh air to help her shake off the darkness and pain of WWII and the “Spokane of The Great Depression”.

She attended school at Molson, graduating high school in 1950. In the fall of that year she married “Dad,” Marvin F. Colbert (“Hungry”), a logger from Chesaw, and they raised three children (us) there.

The last five years of dad’s life were shared with mom in the same room at the Ferry County Hospital Extended Care in Republic, Wash. Upon his death in 2002 they had been married just short of 52 years. Mom was a very hard working, crafty lady who had many talents and was skilled at everything, but what she could do with some flour and a stove was art. The lady could really cook. Her bread was the desire of all the community potlucks, and ME-OH-MY could our mama make pies. She could also really sing. When we were small we didn’t need “No Radio” we had mom to sing all the Golden Oldies of the 40’s and 50’s to us. And now our mom has gone to sing with the angels, and teach them something about angel food cake too!

She was preceded in death by her parents; her aunt Estella Greer; her brother Carol Bolser; and her (great-grandbabies) Jack and Ella Pearcy.

She will be missed by her brother, Stan Bolser at Oroville; her son, Lonny (Judy) Colbert at Spokane; her daughter, Marna (Clark) Friend at Republic; her son, Chris (Peggy) Colbert at Chesaw; her grandson, Matthew (Amber) Colbert at Las Vegas, Nev.; her grandson, Nicholas at Spokane; her granddaughter, Melissa (Dean) Pearcy and their son (great-grandson) Gavin Pearcy at Spokane; her granddaughter, Mary Friend and her sons (great-grandsons) Alex Curry, Devon Curry, Benjamin Morgan and Matthew Morgan at Spokane.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. at the Tunk Valley Cemetery, east of Riverside, Okanogan Co., Wash., on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Donations may be made to Chesaw Rodeo Club Small Sports in care of Steve Leslie 485-3941.

Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel on Elmway in Okanogan is in care of the arrangements.