Obituary: Anthony, Julianne Lilenquist
Her 65 years were characterized by Family, Faith, and many cherished Friendships.
Her gift of humor drew people to her throughout her life and she was always ready to share a great story or to make an ordinary story funnier.
Born in Eugene, Oregon, Julie moved with her family to the Spokane Valley in 1955 when her parents opened Lilenquist Motors.
She graduated from Central Valley High School and attended Brigham Young University.
Teaching Sunday School as a young adult, Julie realized that she wanted to pursue a career in teaching and she graduated from BYU with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Julie began her 31-year career teaching kindergarten at Nespelem School on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington.
She found complete joy and fulfillment in her years as an educator and loved her association with her students as multiple generations of families began their education in her classroom.
Following her “retirement” from Nespelem School in 2005, Julie extended her career until 2013 as the Reading Facilitator at Paschal Sherman Indian School outside of Omak, Washington.
A 39-year resident of Omak, Julie loved the area and the many friends she made.
Anyone who accompanied her on excursions in Omak quickly discovered that she called a large percentage of the residents of both Omak and Nespelem friends and loved seeing them.
There was never just a brief hello when Julie saw someone she knew-she was always interested not only in how they were doing, but also how their extended families were doing.
Nothing brought Julie greater joy and pride than watching her two sons, Scott and Ryan Anthony, grow into men.
She loved having them close by and relished spending time with them.
She found even more to love with the birth of her grandson Brett Anthony.
Julie was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sustained by her faith throughout her life.
She knew that this life was a step closer to eternity and happily anticipated her reunion with family and friends on the Other Side.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Fred Anthony; her parents Les and Jean Lilenquist; and several close friends.
She is survived and will be greatly missed by her sons Scott and Ryan (daughter-in-law Carrie); grandsons Brett Anthony, and Dylan and Caleb Stanley; sisters Debbie Biggs and Leslie Hofmann, and Julie’s long-time sister-of-the-heart Linda Blankenship, whose selfless gift of love and care in past months brought great peace and happiness to Julie and her family and will never be forgotten.
Funeral services will be conducted by Julie’s friend Clayton Draggoo and will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at the Omak Long House by Paschal Sherman Indian School.
Friends are invited to gather at 5:00 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 6:00 p.m. She will be buried next to her parents in Spokane Valley.
A brief graveside service will be held at the Pines Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8th.
Her family wishes to express sincere appreciation to members of the Colville Tribe for the manner in which they have honored Julie and her life.
Julie brought great joy and happiness to her family and many friends and her absence will be deeply felt by all those lives she touched.