SCHALLER, Leone Long time Pullman resident Lee Schaller passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2014, Pearl Harbor Day, at age 91. Her World War II veteran husband Clem passed away in April of this year at age 93 just prior to their 68th wedding anniversary. Lee was born on May 17, 1923 to William and Anna (Schillinger) Krebsbach in Reeder, North Dakota, the daughter of a rancher/farmer and agri-banker. Lee was very proud of her father who, as a banker, saved many farmers from bankruptcy during the Great Depression. It was common for Lee to drive truck during harvests. After high school Lee attended The College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota where she earned her bachelor's degree in Social Studies in 1945. While in college Lee was involved in theatre productions as an actress. After graduation she drove her two-door black Ford convertible (with rumble seat) from Minnesota to Okanogan, WA for her first job. She was a new social worker in the Okanogan/Omak area, renting a room owned by a relative of her future husband, Clem, whom she met when he was home on military leave. It was thought that Clem was attracted to Lee's car and Lee was attracted to Clem's uniform, and they were married in Omak on May 4, 1946. From then through 1952 the family moved to different Air Force bases and during that time Lee bore four sons (in order of birth): Jeffrey, the twins Jon Steven and Christopher, and Joseph, all within 2 2/3 years. Clem brought Lee and the family back to Pullman in 1953 to finish his school at Washington State College (now WSU). After Clem earned his degree in Architectural Engineering in 1956, Lee and Clem talked about moving to Chelan, but in the end decided to make their home in Pullman, much to the benefit of many Pullmanites. Over the years Lee was a homemaker who took on the task of raising four rambunctious "Children of the Sixties" sons. Lee was also active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. After Clem retired as a private builder in 1979, they sold the family home in Evergreen Community in 1980 and over time lived in a couple of townhouses on SW Crestview in Pullman. During those retirement years they enjoyed snow-birding in Hemet, CA. and were avid golfers where Lee golfed in the Pullman Women's League. In recent years they moved into Bishop Place, where Lee was much loved by the staff that cared for her, whom she loved dearly. Lee is survived by her four sons Jeff in Pullman, Chris in Tacoma, Jon Steven (Nancy) in Yuma, AZ/Winthrop,WA, Joe (Louise) in Gallup, NM, and sister-in-law Beverly in Lodi, CA., and was preceded in death by husband Clem, sister Wilma Norby, sister Marian Krebsbach, and brother Buzz Krebsbach. Graveside committal services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday December 18, 2014 at the Pullman Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Bishop Place Independent Living Social Hall, concluding with a reception of light refreshments. KIMBALL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY of Pullman has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Published in Spokesman-Review on Dec. 14, 2014