Delma Marie Deason-Egger

Delma Marie Deason-Egger, age 70, of Yakima, WA passed away in her sleep on April 3rd, 2024, four days before we would have celebrated her 71st birthday. She was an incredibly cherished wife, sister, aunt and friend to all.

Del was born in Ukiah, CA on April 7th, 1953 to Kenneth Albert Egger and Mary Ann Louise Egger. She was the second of six siblings. After her father died when she was 15, she and her older brother moved the other four siblings to Yakima where her mother was raised. She began working in restaurants and fruit warehouses to pay rent and support the group. She began attending night school so she would be accepted into the St. Elizabeth Nursing School. She graduated as a licensed practical nurse in addition to surviving uterine cancer and a full Whipple surgical procedure at the age of 19. For the following 10 plus years she worked at Valley Memorial Hospital and was part of the original staff that opened the Oncology Ward (2 East) at the Hospital. She also became certified in oncology.

Del became a nurse for all the right reasons. She loved and cherished both her patients and her co-workers, the R.N’s, the clerks and the medical aids. Sharon Brown was both a good friend and special to her, as they all were. Ellen Junkert, Marilyn Chang, Ruthie Nordstrom, and many others. You all know who you are.

During those same 10 plus years Del Was raising 3 step daughters, until they were teenagers, and sporadically cared for her siblings and several nephews and nieces. She was cooking, doing laundry, etc. for everyone and farming 20 acres of alfalfa in the Wenas. This included changing irrigation hand lines before going to the hospital, pulling weeds, arranging swathing and baling and transporting it to the race track customers. Del often said she could not have done everything without the help of her younger brother, Karl Egger.

In 1982, after a very one sided divorce, Del left the job at Memorial Hospital that she loved, gave up the 20 acres of alfalfa and returned to Ukiah with very little except an old Mercury Monarch and her small personal treasures. Once there, forever the nurse, she worked at Ukiah General Hospital. While in California she renewed a very close and loving relationship with her father’s sister Emmaline and husband Bill Williams in Willets, CA.

In early spring of 1992 Del returned to Yakima where she met and married Doyel Deason the following August. This was truly a love that lasted forever. In early 1995 they moved to Cliff Dell on Chinook Pass Highway. Both worked briefly at Whistlin’ Jack’s Lodge. They first bought a small house, and then a second house, turning the first into the bed and breakfast that she always wanted. Having an outgoing personality and being an incredible cook was a successful combination. The scratch cooked breakfasts with fresh everything brought some clients back for years.

During the 20 years they lived at Cliff Dell, Del truly found tranquility and peace. She had her ‘house puppies’ inside and a small heard of deer in the immediate backyard trying to make eye contact with her through the kitchen window, at a distance of 12 to 20 feet. They were all her babies. Through the years she had 5 dogs, 2 were hybrid wolves, one being 85% grey wolf. Like the others they laid on the couch and slept in the bedroom. Per her wishes all 5 of their cremated remains will go with her.

While living on the mountain Del returned to Valley Memorial Hospital for several more years. Between the daily commute, her B&B, and her health problems with lupus, bi-pass surgery, TIA, and a fractured ankle, she decided to retire. She became very active in the Nile Valley Woman’s club. Once again the caretaker she began caring for the elderly. This continued until 2016 when it became necessary to move back to Yakima because of health problems. Even in Yakima she experienced more lupus related health problems. There was Crohn’s disease, Sjogren’s, 2 fractured hips and replacements, and abdominal surgery.

Del is survived by husband Doyel Deason, sisters Malinda and Kathy Palen, brothers Ken and Karl Egger, brother-in-law John Deason, sister-in-laws Fran Deason and Cathy Luttrell, and numerous nieces, nephews and her Ernie. She loved them all.

She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Egger, mother Mary Sandoval, step-father James Sandoval, and brother Wallace Fiest.

Del you leave a great emptiness and loneliness in my heart. I love you so very much. I’ll be patient, until I see you again.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gabriel Lascar, his staff, and the entire Cornerstone Medical Clinic. They have provided Del with incredible care and advice for over 20 years.

A memorial service will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

A private inurnment with family will be held at a later time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Deason family.