Deleva "Dee" Mae Rill

DeLeva "Dee" Mae Rill, 74, of Othello, Wash., and formerly of Elgin, died Feb. 6 at her home with her family at her side.

A celebration of her life began at 1 p.m. today at Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello. Final services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Elgin Community Center with burial to follow at the Elgin Cemetery.

DeLeva was born May 2, 1934, to Fred and Dorthy (Croghan) Wilson in Elgin. As a toddler, DeLeva lost both of her parents. Her aunt Hazel as well as her entire extended family raised her. She graduated as valedictorian from Elgin High School in 1951. While in high school, DeLeva was a member of the drama club, participated in 4-H and played in the school band. She also was active in the Order of Rainbow for girls.

She was a talented musician and received a music scholarship to Eastern Oregon College. While attending EOC, she met Myron Rill. They married Aug. 16, 1953, in Elgin. They lived in Heppner where she and Myron farmed. When Myron left to serve in the Army at Fort Sill, Okla., DeLeva went with him. While in Oklahoma, she worked at the PX on base. After Myron was discharged, they returned to Heppner and the farm. They bought a farm near Connell, Wash., in 1965 and lived there until 1982 when they settled on a farm near Othello.

DeLeva worked as a dietary aid at the Othello Community Hospital for more than 20 years. She was still working one day a week until July of last year. She was a member of the Children's Hospital Orthopedic Guild in Othello, The Grange and the Othello Relay For Life. She loved all animals and especially enjoyed raising poultry. She acted as the poultry and rabbit superintendent at the Adams County Fair for many years.

DeLeva enjoyed visiting and loved having people drop in for some of her baked treats. She was a talented painter and enjoyed creating greeting cards with her artwork. She was an avid gardener and would spend many hours working in the garden with her husband. DeLeva's special joy was being a wife and being with her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered as a giving person who was very real from the first time you met her.

She is survived by her husband, Myron of Othello; son Rodney "Kim" and his wife, Debbie Rill of Mesa; four daughters, Trina and her husband, Mike Wieseler, of Mesa, Denise and her husband, Jake Weise, of Salkum, Wash., Joy and her husband, Rick Weeks of Freeland, Wash., and Sheena and her husband, Stuart Woods of Kennewick; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her aunt Hazel.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Children's Hospital Orthopedic Guild in care of Stevens Funeral Chapel.

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