Obituary: Zahl, Constance (Brewer) “Connie”
She was born at home in Bozeman, MT and was the third of four children born to Dr. Albert Brewer and Florence Belle Brewer.
Constance lived in Montana as a child - Bozeman, the family homestead near Sand Springs, Baker, and Terry.
After obtaining her RN degree at Columbia-Presbyterian in New York City in 1932, she worked as a nurse in NYC, Yellowstone National Park, and Missoula, MT.
She focused her career by becoming a Certified Public Health Nurse in 1941 and worked in many capacities as a public health nurse.
Constance joined the US Army Nurse Corps during WWII, serving in England and Germany.
Afterwards, she married George Zahl and raised a family — then returned to nursing and finished with a two-year Peace Corps assignment to Nicaragua and Honduras at age 68.
She was then devoted to caring for family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She loved education, debating current events, philosophy, and being outside in nature.
She strongly believed in volunteering, rigorous daily exercises, being with family and Christianity not worn-on-the-cuff.
She enjoyed reunions and respites at the Montana cabin her parents had built in 1926 — also baking, gardening, weaving, bird-watching and fresh air at night.
She was not shy in sharing what she considered the truth of a matter - and she was often sought after for her wisdom and positive outlook.
See also http://www.eastoregonian.com/obituaries/.
Published memoirs should be available within the year.
Memorial services will be held in Spokane at Fairwinds Retirement Community, 520 E Holland Ave. on Saturday, November 16 at 3:00 PM.
Main services and interment will be next summer in Bozeman, MT.
Contributions can be made in her name to The Nature Conservancy (8095050) and to Oxfam America.