Frances "Frankie" (McDonell) Dehne, 87

Frances "Frankie" (McDonell) Dehne, 87, died Aug. 7 in Denver. She was born Oct. 20, 1933 in the log cabin her father and grandfather had built on the shores of Rocky Point on the Flathead. She lived there until her teens, when she moved into town (Polson.) Her first job was at the cherry picking plant on Finley Point, where she was fired after her first day for eating more cherries than she picked! She graduated from Polson High School in 1951 (salutatorian) and continued on to nursing school at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane.

In 1955 she married Frank C. Dehne (PHS '48) in Nespelum, Wash., and they moved to Denver shortly afterward. Every summer Frankie would return to Polson for fun on the lake and reunions with old friends and extended family (McDonells, Shriders, Harlans, et al.) Frankie loved her homeland and every minute spent near the waters of the Northwest. She will be remembered by all for being a great listener (though partially deaf), her infectious laugh and sense of humor, and her efforts to keep all extended family in contact — she would want us to continue our tribal meetings as often as possible.

She is survived by her children, Shawn Dehne (Dr. Bruce Nordstrom), Neil Dehne (Terri), Maureen Dehne and Patrick Dehne (Amy); seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. Donations in her name may be made to the North Lake County Public Library in Polson at northlakecountylibrary.org.