Isabella "Pat" Muriel Dietrich

Isabella M. “Pat” Dietrich of Walla Walla left this world for Heaven March 16, 2018 at the age of 97.  She was born July 3, 1920 in British Columbia and was the youngest of three children.  With her mom and siblings, she immigrated to Lewiston, Idaho, at a young age, and was raised by an extraordinarily gifted and dedicated mother. She attended Lewiston Public Schools, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1938 and then received her teaching credentials in 1940 from Lewiston State Teaching College.  There, Pat met her future husband-to-be, Eldon “Pete” Dietrich.  Her first teaching position was in Troy, Idaho, teaching multiple grades in a one-room schoolhouse and in those wintery days, having to get the pot-belly stove fire going to provide heat for her students.  Later she worked in the office of the Potlatch Forest Mill and then upon returning to Lewiston, she taught at Webster Elementary, the same school she attended as a youngster.

Upon Eldon’s return from the WWII European Theater, they were married at her family home February 10, 1946.  A short time later as newlyweds, they moved from Lewiston to Wapato, WA, where their careers in education continued and blossomed.  Pat worked diligently toward additional teaching certifications over the years and was awarded her Bachelor’s degree from Central Washington State College in 1963, accomplishing this even as she taught school full-time and raised her family, the latter no small task indeed.  Teaching her sixth graders continued in Kennewick and Walla Walla, spanning over 35 years.  Retirement from this rewarding career occurred in 1978.  She felt that an excellent education for each individual student was one of the most valuable contributions she could make to their lives.  Looking backward, one might have described her as “one tough-and-tender difference-maker” in the lives of many—and this included her 2 children as well.

Retirement brought many enjoyable years trailering with Pete and their beloved Schipperke dogs.  Their travels allowed them to combine their favorite activities of being together on adventures, sightseeing, a desire for continued learning and visiting family.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 72 years Pete, son John (Merrilee), daughter Lynn (Rod), three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the auditorium at the Washington Odd Fellows Home, 534 Boyer Ave., Walla Walla, WA, on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 1:00PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community College, Washington Odd Fellows Home or Walla Walla Community Hospice.