In Loving Memory

Shirley Jeanne Lenocker

Mrs. Shirley Jeanne Lenocker, age 89, passed away December 21, 2024 in Spokane, WA.  Shirley was born April 17, 1935 in Colville, WA to Robert and Cora Seney.

At the young age of 14 years old, Shirley would meet her true love, Russ Lenocker.  As things would have it, she and Russ would go different paths, each marrying and having families.  They would reunite at their 20th class reunion in 1973.  A year and a half later, they would marry and blend their families into one - eight children in all!  Shirley loved children – they were her biggest weakness.  She worked with Head Start and Rural Resources.  Often a need arose for a foster parent or someone to care for a child for a day or two.  Shirley welcomed them all.

Shirley was a hands-on mom.  Her boys were wrestlers.  She was known for practicing with them.  Much to their chagrin, Mom could take them down and pin them in a split second!  And just as quickly, she could change gears and take her daughter shopping, go to a movie and have lunch.

Shirley loved to play board games and various card games.  She was a "Vicious" competitor!  There was never a time that she offered mercy to any of the children when it came to playing games.  She was ALL IN!  Shirley was also not one for putting up with bickering.  One day at work she kept getting phone calls from the children complaining about one another.  Despite her efforts to manage the situation, she reached the end of her rope.  At the end of the day, instead of going home to referee, she took herself out to a nice dinner and got a hotel room for the night.  The next morning, she went home.  The children couldn't understand why she hadn't come home.  Shirley simply stated to them that she figured there would either be "one less mouth to feed or you all would just work things out."

Russ worked as a logger and later as a long-haul truck driver.  When he retired in 1997, they relocated to Arizona.  At first, just during the winters and eventually full time.  Russ helped operate an RV Camp for a couple of years and then worked in a quarry.  Needless to say, he didn't stay retired for very long.  In response, Shirley got him a license plate that read, "Flunked Retirement."  Over the years they would travel all over the United States.  They proudly visited all 50 states.  Shirley had dreams of going on a cruise and designated monies for the trip.  While in Arizona, she decided that she would forego an ocean cruise for purchasing ATVs so that she and Russ could cruise the desert instead.  She and Russ spent every moment together during retirement.  It was exactly what they wanted and loved!

In their 50 years of marriage, she and Russ never had an argument.  They were so tightly connected.  So much so, that they exchanged the same cards with one another!  She was his ALL.  "I will miss HER…everything about her."

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents and son, Timothy.  She is survived by her husband, Russ; Children – Sons - Carl, John, Charles, Steve and Glen; Daughters – Barbara and Rusan; Sixteen Grandchildren and thirty-six Great Grandchildren.

A private family graveside service is scheduled for January 10, 2025 at Mountain View Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for the summer.  More details will be provided at a later date.  Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory have been entrusted with his care. Please visit the online memorial website and sign his guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.