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Dorothy Vernon ‘Dolly’ LaMarche, 89

Dolly was born Dorothy Vernon Derr, March 24, 1928, in Clark Fork, Idaho, to Bill and Dorothy Derr. Her brothers were William Brian Derr (Billy) deceased and Roland Derr of Clark Fork. Dolly attended Clark Fork High School and both the University of Washington and the University of Montana, and earned both an undergraduate degree in teaching, a teaching certificate and a Fifth Year certificate in elementary education.

Dolly married Albert H. Steinmetz on Feb. 6, 1948, in Clark Fork at the United Methodist Church. The two taught in Fairfield, Idaho, Murray, Idaho, and Polson, Mont. In 1957, Al and Dolly accepted teaching positions in Omak, Wash., where they raised their children — Roger A. Steinmetz, Ethel Rose Steinmetz Marmont and Lori Ann Karns. Also in the Steinmetz household was Al’s son by his first wife, Larry Steinmetz. The Steinmetz family enjoyed wonderful summers swimming at Lake Osoyoos (on the American/Canadian border) Lake Pend Oreille, Lake Coeur d’Alene and Flathead Lake in Montana.

Dolly loved teaching and taught both first and second grade for 32 and a half years at multiple schools in Omak. Dolly (Dorothy) was a member of the Washington Education Association, the Omak Education Association and the National Education Association. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and at various times a member of the United Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Omak. Dolly was a beloved teacher and a clever poet for school events.

Dolly and Al enjoyed travel to Idaho, Montana, Western Washington and Southern Oregon. Al passed away Oct. 29, 1988. Dorothy later married Milan LaMarche in June 1989 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Dolly and Milan enjoyed many years of travel to the Southwest United States, and to Washington, D.C., Virginia and Florida. They went on a cruise from Seattle to Jamaica and parts in-between. The two were also very involved in Navy Armed Guard reunions and worked on histories of World War II. (In her teens, Dolly worked two summers for Kaiser Aluminum to help build planes for the war effort.)

Dolly is preceded in death by her second husband, Milan LaMarche. Dolly has three grandchildren, Ian Stenseng and Ryan Florek of Seattle, Wash., and Jennifer (Marmont) Eide of Hoquiam, Wash.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Brent Delbom officiating. Interment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Family and friends are invited to sign Dorothy’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.