Dohnlee Elizabeth Isom Chicks Preston, 75

Dohnlee Elizabeth Isom Chicks Preston, 75, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away at the Hospice of North Idaho Hospice House Nov. 17, 2012. Having battled a myriad of health conditions for the past year, she finally succumbed to God’s will. Born in Baker City, Ore., to Don D. and M. Charleen Isom, she grew up on the Oregon Coast, graduating from Taft High School in Lincoln City.

She married Ralph L. Chicks in 1956 and moved to Sandpoint where she raised her family. Following her divorce, she moved through Boise and Idaho Falls to Coeur d’Alene where she was preceded in death by her second husband, John E. Preston.

She is survived by her siblings, Laura Jean Sadler (John) of Maryland, Donald Wesley Isom (Diane) of Oregon and Rebecca Isom Panzer of Washington; and by her children, Jeffrey Jay Chicks (Anna) of Sagle, Ralph Randal Chicks and Guy Gregory Chicks (Yvonne) of Coeur d’Alene; and also by many grand and great-grandchildren.

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Dohnlee enjoyed careers at Schwietzer Basin, in the ’60s and ’70s to the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S.D.A. Rangeland Management in Boise. She concluded her working career as a Realtor for 20-plus years in the Coeur d’Alene area.

Dohnlee was a singer and piano player, she snow-skied, rode dirt bikes, rafted rivers and spent countless hours gardening, camping and hunting. And so, as a dedicated and articulate writer, photographer and painter she was able to capture many of these outdoor moments and memories in print, and especially on canvas where we, her family and friends, can and will remember the strength, courage and tenacity that she always demonstrated in life.

The family will have a private service, and wishes that any donations be sent to Hospice of North Idaho in Dohnlee Preston’s name.

Visit Dohnlee’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.