Elizabeth Dammel, long time Mohler resident, died December 4, 2012, at home at the age of 101. She was the first daughter born to John Peterson Nyberg and Alma Harshbarger Nyberg, in Greenacres, WA, on May 21, 1911.
Elizabeth, known as Betty Nyberg when she graduated from North Central High School in Spokane, acquired her teaching credentials from Cheney Normal was a teacher at the Liberty Lake school house. She married Ernest Womach in June 1936 and they moved to the Womach homestead near Mohler. They purchased the John Shields farm in Mohler and also the Mohler school teacher’s cottage, from which she taught piano lessons. Some of her students were the Knapp girls, Darlene Miller, Donna Hambright and Gloria Werner Kaiser. She attended the Mohler Methodist Church and sometimes filled in as pianist. From 1948 to 1953 they lived in Spokane Valley where Ernest was involved in real estate sales. In 1953 their new home in Mohler was completed and with their two adopted children they returned to Mohler and farming. Elizabeth has since continuously lived in this home. She found time to work with the county 4-H group and was a leader of the Boy Scouts for a period of time. She was active in Order of Eastern Star on the local and state levels. Elizabeth attended the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Harrington from 1953 to 1965, and served as pianist with Naomi Kruger at the organ from 1955 to 1965. Ernest died June 12, 1956, just two days prior to their 20th wedding anniversary. Elizabeth remained on the farm with her two children. She managed the farm and hired Marvin Hambright to do the farming.
Elizabeth met Carl Dammel some years previous to their courtship in 1964 and they were married Jan 3, 1965 at a small wedding at Elizabeth’s farm home. Carl gave up his home in Odessa and moved to Mohler. They attended the Congregational Church in Odessa where Elizabeth made many new friends. They enjoyed traveling and golfing together. Elizabeth loved to entertain and participated in the Mohler Women’s Club from her early move to Mohler in 1936 to its closing in the 1980s. Even then, the club women would organize card parties and socials while they were able. In 1987 Elizabeth became legally blind with macular degeneration, which curtailed her ability to read, play the piano, sew and braid rugs. Her other loves: little children, flowers and baking and cooking remained with her nearly to the end, although limited by age restraints. Carl passed away in Odessa on April 19, 2007, after 42 years of marriage to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by two older brothers, Harold and Clarence Nyberg and two younger sisters, Annabelle Eisele and Janet Snyder, nephew Lauren Eisele, and two husbands. She is survived by son Jasper (and Marilyn) Womach of Alexandria, VA, daughter Marjorie Womach at the home, step-son Stanley Dammel of Odessa, WA, daughters-in-law Marilynne Black and Debbie Dammel, youngest sister Retha Deyoe of Vicksburg, MS; sister-in-law Rose Dammel Law; grandchildren Ronald Womach, Curtis Womach, Steven Learned, Todd and Troy Dammel, Denise Kliskey, Melinda and Elaine, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:00AM at the Harrington United Methodist Church, Harrington, WA with Pastor Cynthia Wuts, officiating. Please sign the on line guest book at www.stratefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the United Methodist Church, Harrington, WA, or Assured Hospice, Moses Lake, WA. Strate Funeral Home of Davenport, WA is caring for the family..
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