Obituary: Anderson, Helen Elinor
Elinor was born August 20, 1927 and raised in Davenport, Washington, the daughter of wheat rancher, Edward Zellmer and his wife, Helen.
She grew up with her younger sister, Dolores, and graduated from Davenport High School.
In 1945 she represented Lincoln County as its Princess during the Spokane Lilac festivities.
She married Army Air Corps Lieutenant and WSC architectural graduate, Robert T. Anderson in 1947 in Davenport.
Bob and Elinor raised their two sons in Yakima and Spokane, Washington.
Elinor was always very involved in civic activities, beginning in Yakima with the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
She then became active in the Republican Party at many levels.
She and Bob attended three presidential inaugurations.
She was perhaps best known for her work helping run the annual Lincoln Day Banquet at the Davenport Hotel and Spokane Zoo fund raisers.
Later in life she joined the Pro America organization and traveled to several cities across the United States representing Eastern Washington.
One of her final involvements was advocating creation of the City of Spokane Valley.
Elinor was preceded in death by her sister and husband.
She is survived by her two sons: Tim (Marianne), Spokane and Nick (Leslie), Walla Walla; five grandchildren: Brett (Katie) Spokane; Jeff (Kim) Boise; Dan (Megan), Seattle; Kirsten (Todd) Maser, Spokane; Peter, Redmond, and two great-grandchildren, Liam and Porter, Spokane and former daughter-in-law, Sheryl Anderson of Spokane.
She will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends and civic colleagues.
A graveside service for close family will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of Spokane.