Tribute: Stanna Lee White

Stanna Lee White passed away on September 1, 2013 at Life Care Center in Ritzville, Washington after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 76 years old.

Stanna was born on July 25, 1937 in Ketchikan, Alaska to her parents Agnes and Stanley Adams. Stanna spent her early years in Ketchikan, Alaska, and then moved to Coulee Dam, Washington for her junior high years. Stanna attended all four years of high school in Ritzville, Washington. While attending RHS, Stanna acquired the nickname of "Bunny," was a cheerleader and member of Girls' Red R, and was active in Pep Club, choir, FHA, and the Annual Staff. After graduating from Ritzville High School in 1955, Stanna moved to San Francisco, California to attend Dental Nurses Training School and obtain her license. Stanna returned to Spokane, Washington and worked for Dr. Arnold Pedersen until her marriage in 1957.

Stanna Lee Adams and Gilbert White were married on November 30, 1957 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ritzville. Stanna resided with Gilbert at the cow/calf ranch on Crab Creek north of Ritzville for the following 50 years. Daughter Linda was born in 1959 and son Dean was born in 1961. Stanna spent 19 years as a homemaker and mother at the ranch, but was also very active in church, school, Girl Scout, and local fair activities.

Stanna began working part time in 1976 as receptionist and bookkeeper for the Adams County Counseling Service. In 1980, Stanna became the Activity Director at Life Care Center in 1980 and served in that capacity for 15 years until November 1995. Stanna then served as the first Activity Director at Rose Garden Estates in Ritzville from November 1996 until August 1999 when she retired. She was a long time member and an officer of the Washington State Association of Activity Professionals. In 1993 Stanna received the annual "Whatever it Takes Award" from Life Care Center for outstanding customer service, and in 1995, Stanna was honored as Beta Sigma Phi's "Lady of the Year" at the 23rd annual spring tea in Ritzville. Stanna was also a member of Eastern Star and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Stanna was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by early 2004, and was admitted to Life Care Center in Ritzville in April 2007, where she confronted Alzheimer's disease with courage, grace and dignity for the next 6.5 years. Stanna's family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who provided care or visited Stanna while she was at her home and while she was a resident at Life Care Center.

Stanna was preceded in death by her father Stanley, mother Agnes, stepfather Carl, sisters Sandy and Peggy, and daughter Linda. Stanna is survived by her husband Gilbert; son Dean; son-in-law John Morris Jr .; brother Stuart; stepsister Jackie; sister-in-law Vivian Rehn; niece Wendy and son Alex, who considered Stanna as their surrogate mother and grandmother; and many relatives and friends.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent in honor of Stanna to Trinity United Methodist Church of Ritzville, The Inland Northwest Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, or the American Cancer Society.

There will be a graveyard service at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery on Rosenoff Road at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2013, followed by a Memorial Service and reception at 11:45 AM at Trinity United Methodist Church on 107 W 2nd Ave in Ritzville. Danekas Funeral Home of Ritzville, Washington is entrusted with the arrangements. People wishing to post words of remembrance on line for Stanna may do so at the Danekas Funeral Home Web Site at: http://www.danekasfuneralhome.org