Donald N. Ellenbecker, 80

Donald N. Ellenbecker, 80, passed on to be with the Lord on June 8, 2007, in Spokane, Wash.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1927, in Waussau, Wis., to Peter and Frances Ellenbecker.

A Vigil and funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Riplinger funeral home, 4305 N. Division in Spokane. Private interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.

Donald lived a full 80 years of life until a recent terminal illness.

He loved to play cards, laugh and watch his sports and dance. Don had many good friends at the Cooper George Retirement Community and a large extended family throughout the area. Don and Dorothy raised their three children in Sandpoint, Idaho, amongst the Wilkinson clan. Dad was a World War II veteran.

He was a vice president of Farmer's Insurance out of Missoula, Mont., and a logger throughout the Pacific Northwest. Even though Don only finished high school, he believed that education was important for his family.

He is survived by daughter, Debra Zachary-Stronge and Stephanie of Arroyo Grande, Calif.; daughter, Diana Ellenbecker of Kemper, Texas; grandson, Justin Ellenbecker and great grandson, Adair Ellenbecker of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Jennifer Smilden and grandson, Jon Smilden both of Spokane; siblings, Isabel Writz of Athens, Wis., Irene Writz of Waussau, Wis., Hazel Slauzis of Sylmar, Calif., Earl Ellenbecker of Stratford, Wis., and Ray Ellenbecker of Athens, Wis.; and longtime family friend, Dolly Johnston of Spokane. He is preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Dorothy Wilkinson of Sandpoint; son, Douglas Ellenbecker of Spokane; siblings, Peter Ellenbecker, Oliver Ellenbecker, Harvey Ellenbecker, Melvin Ellenbecker, Viola Polzin, Loretta Blazel, Delores Dalsky, Henry Ellenbecker and Francis -(Hack) Ellenbecker, all of the Athens, Wis., region.