Darlene Kittilson Eldredge 1931 - 2021

Darlene Kittilson Eldredge, 89, left this earthly realm on Feb.16, 2021, after a 20 year battle with COPD. Though Darlene’s health was failing for years, few people knew the extent to which she struggled. Her indomitable spirit and quick wit kept her pushing through the hard days.

Darlene was born in July of 1931 to Elva Bland Caldwell and Edwin Caldwell in Wenatchee, Wash. She had two sisters born before her; Elva and Anna. Caldwell sisters grew up near Leavenworth, Wash. with their parents running Camas Land Dairy.

She lived in Dryden, Peshastin, and Republic, before graduating from Coulee Dam High School in 1949. She moved to Spokane, Wash. in 1950 to work as a bookkeeper for Seattle First National Bank. It was in Spokane where she married Marvin Kittilson the same year. The young couple moved to Tacoma in 1951, where their first son, Chris was born. Moving back to Spokane, a daughter, Denise. They made one last move to Odessa where they had another son, Erik. Marvin passed away in Odessa in September of 1983.

While in Odessa, Darlene worked for several years at the clinic as a medical assistant. She had still kept in touch with her co-workers all this time.

Darlene was introduced to her second husband, Marley Eldredge while still in Odessa, and moved back to Spokane in 1991 to marry him. Marley passed away in 1997. She lived her remaining years alone, but rarely lonely until 6 weeks ago when she moved to an Adult Family Home in Spokane Valley.

Darlene was a spectacular painter and her nature paintings grace the homes of her children and friends. When large scale paintings became too hard for her, she moved on to make a plain glass bottle come to life with decorations/ paint of all kinds. Her home was full of artistic wonder. She will be missed not only for her artistry and wit, but always having strong shoulders to lean on.

She is survived by her children, Chris (Debbie), Erik (Mary), Denise (Tony) Masiello. She had two Grandchildren, Robert (Jessie) Kittilson and Faith Masiello.

There are no plans for a memorial at this time.