Delores Joy Leistiko

Delores "Dee" "Dory" Joy Leistiko, 87, of Cove, died July 10 at St Mary's Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington surrounded by family. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center in La Grande, followed by a gathering of friends. a gathering will follow.



Delores was born Jan. 4, 1930, in Fruitland ,Washington, the sixth of seven children born to Richard and Gertrude (Zimmerman) Colley. The children attended elementary school in Fruitland. When the family moved to Bremerton, Washington, Delores continued her education to eventually become a registered nurse.



Delores' nursing career led her to many opportunities. She worked in both hospital and clinical settings. Her passion, however, turned out to be in the family practice clinical setting, and she retired after working with Dr. Cockburn in Portland for many years.



Delores was married to Fred Leistiko. While being dedicated to her career, her first priority was always family. Throughout many moves and adventures, Delores made sure her family was safe, happy and secure. Delores was amused to tell people that she was born in Fruitland, lived in Paris and lived in a barn in Hilgard. Her family says she had an amazing inner strength and was a lighthouse for those who crossed her path.



Delores and Fred had many happy years on their farm in Barton. Her last years were spent in Cove. One of her favorite places was a little beach house in Rockaway, where she hosted many gatherings for family and friends. Delores loved poking around in antique stores, finding special treasures for her home and for the homes' of her loved ones. She always enjoyed finding something that represented a story in someone else's history.

According to her family, Delores was smart, loving and sassy, and never shy to share her opinion with your best interest at heart. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, crocheting, embroidering, reading, gardening and quilting. Above all, what most made her happy was cooking and feeding those she loved.

Survivors include her husband, Fred Leistiko; sister, Pat Tennyson; sister-in-law, Amy Colley; children, Debbie Murchison, Michael Brosseau, Jenny Huva, Julie Leistiko and Heidi Clifford; and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She will be missed but lovingly remembered by many.

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