Anita Boettcher

Anita Boettcher

Anita Fern Liddy Egger Boettcher, age 99, of Odessa, WA, passed away July 7, 2011, in Odessa, WA.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Columbus City Cemetery in Columbus.

She was born in O’Neill on Nov. 27, 1912, to Goldie Lansworth and Thomas Liddy.  Her father died when she was three and she was raised along with her baby brother, Tom, by her mother in O’Neill.  After graduating from high school, she taught in a country school, boarding with one of the families.  She told stories of building fires in the school building during the winter, riding a borrowed horse to and from the school and not being a whole lot older than some of her students. 

In 1932 she met Hans Egger and they were married December 24 of that year.  They moved to Columbus.  In 1934 their daughter Sharon was born.  The family moved to Omaha where their son, Hans Jacob, was born in 1945.  The baby died in infancy.  They later moved to Lincoln.  

Anita was active in Eastern Star and served as Guardian of Bethel 5 Job’s Daughters.  She and Hans followed their dream and built a cabin on Round Lake at Ponsford, MN where they enjoyed fishing and friendships.  When the opportunity presented itself, they built a small resort with cabins and boats for rent.  They later lived in Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin as they were transferred with his job.  Hans died in an automobile accident in 1963.  

Anita married Arnold Boettcher and the couple moved back to Columbus where they lived for many years.  Anita enjoyed her many bridge clubs and luncheon groups, but the loves of her life were her six grandchildren.  She was there when each of them were born and delighted in spoiling them.  She and Arnold entertained them on summer vacations and never missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with them and her daughter and her husband.  

She was again widowed but continued to live in Columbus until at the age of 80, decided she needed to be nearer family and moved to Kennewick, WA where her daughter lives.  She was an avid Nebraska football fan and knew more NFL stats than most.  Her fall weekends were filled with TV football games.  She always had a jar filled with Jolly Ranchers and encouraged her visiting great-grandchildren to “fill their pockets.”  One of her happiest moments came when her last great-granddaughter was born and named “Liddy.” She was able to enjoy her own home with a succession of small dogs for company until 2009 when she moved to Odessa Nursing Home.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon; six grandchildren, Julie Beck, Dan DeWulf (Jean), Amy Hane (Steve), Carrie Irving (David), Mark DeWulf (Peggy), and Michael DeWulf (Ronda); 17 great-grandchildren; three nieces; and a nephew.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; infant son;  brother, Tom; and son-in-law, Bill.

Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA, is caring for the family.