Elenore R. Lehr

Elenore Lehr, age 87, passed away peacefully November 11, 2015 at Blossom Creek Memory Care. She was born on April 25, 1928 in Everett, WA where she attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Everett High School. After graduating high school she moved to Wenatchee and worked at the P.U.D. Elenore met James (Jim) Lehr through relatives at a dance in Trinidad, WA, now Crescent Bar, when she was in her early teens and would tell you that “she just knew she was going to marry him someday”. They were wed on September 2, 1950 in Everett, WA. During their 55 years of marriage they gave birth to 2 children and after multiple health problems adopted 3 children, “ because I wanted to have more children and they needed a home”. Elenore was touched at an early age and formed a strong faith in God and feeling of service. That was nourished by her early Catholic education and lifelong commitment to the Catholic Church which first brought them to Yakima, to continue her children’s Catholic Education where she then went back to school at age 40, and became an LPN. Mental Health was her interest and she worked at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and as she would say “on the fifth floor”. Then Wenatchee called again for a short time. Circumstances due to Jim’s health moved them to Spokane, WA where she was employed at Sacred Heart Medical Center in the same mental health field. Wenatchee called yet again, and her nursing was of further use, first at Highline Care Center and later Colonial Vista where she not only worked as night nurse, but cared for her mother who was a resident. Elenore and Jim were passionate about Wenatchee. Thus their move back 3 times. They enjoyed Leavenworth and Lake Chelan for family vacations and many day trips, even from Yakima. Elenore loved the surrounding mountains and climbed pretty much all of them including Mission Ridge before it was a ski resort with kids in toe weather they liked it or not. Skiing became a family sport whenever they were a part of the valley. Elenore always prided herself in her independence which led to a purchase of a motorcycle in her 40’s but later as dementia took hold, her independence lessened. She once confessed she thought she could “will” herself well. Once the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was made, Elenore, in time, accepted her future with patience and grace. We again appreciate her example of faith. Elenore was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Grace Ouellette, her siblings Delores Grover and Leon Ouellette, her husband, Jim Lehr and son, Leon Lehr. She is survived by her children Marty (Shelley) Lehr of La Conner, Therese Eastman (Greg) of Wenatchee, Pat (Jody) Lehr of Walla Walla and Johnna Lehr of Seattle. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who love her very much. Even though a connection with her in this life might not have taken place, they know they will all see her again. Our words cannot express our love and thanks to the entire staff of Blossom Creek Memory Care. She loved you all and you could tell by her many smiles. Also to Hospice in making her last hours very peaceful. God Bless all of you for your work. Elenore held a great respect for our veterans and made numerous donations on their behalf. Only fitting that she should pass away on Veterans Day. So in Lieu of flowers please make a donation to a Veterans Charity of your choice or to St. Joseph School Scholarship Fund, for continued Catholic and Christian education for all. A Rosary will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 19th at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 625 South Elliott, Wenatchee, WA and a Funeral Mass will follow on Friday the 20th at 11:00am. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

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Elenore R. Lehr

April 25, 1928 - November 11, 2015