Donna Lou 'Dee' Chilcott, 61

Donna Lou “Dee” Chilcott, 61, of Ponderay, Idaho, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at her home with her family.

Dee was born March 9, 1948, in Morris, Minn., to Eugene and Jeanette Pedersen.

Dee was raised  in Minnesota and following high school attended Waldorf Community College in Iowa.

After moving to Colorado Springs, Colo., and while managing an apartment complex, she met Steve Chilcott. They were wed on Sept. 28, 1977, in Hawthorne, Nev. Steve being in the Army led to traveling all over the United States and eventually to Germany.  After returning to the United States, Dee and Steve lived in Tennessee. They moved to North Idaho in 1998 and to Ponderay in 2006.

Dee was a dedicated mother and spouse. She also dedicated her life to public service through a variety of careers in education and health care. She was particularly proud of the work she did as an emergency room supervisor in Germany, starting an Adult Basic Education program in Boise County, Idaho, and her work as a nutrition educator in Shoshone County, Idaho.

After an accident made it necessary to retire, Dee pursued her hobbies including: reading, needlepoint, cross-stitch, writing and gardening.

Dee is survived by her husband, Steve of Ponderay; her daughters, Jessica  of Ponderay and Stephanie of Huntsville, Ala.; and her step-son Brian of Horseshoe Bend; six grandchildren and a great grandchild; her mother, Jeanette Griener of Morris, Minn.; her sisters, Karen and Lora Lee, and her brothers, David and Dale. Dee was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Pederson, and her stepson, Martin.

The family will be having a private memorial service.

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

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.