In Memory

Ida Mae Culler

Ida Mae Culler

 

    

Joel E Ferris High School
Classes of 1966 - Present


Deceased Classmate: CULLER, Ida Mae Oman (Teacher)
Date Of Birth: 2-8-1929
Date Deceased: 4-22-2009
Age at Death: 80
Cause of Death:
Classmate City: Chewelah
Classmate State: WA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No
Survived By: Ida Mae was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Carl Oman, Jr.; step-brother, Neil Christian; step-mother, Leticia Oman; infant son, Joseph M.; and infant grandson, Brendon Joseph Brown. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Culler, at the home; children, Michael Culler, St. Cloud, FL; Ginny Knowles (Kirke), Spokane Valley; Susan Brown (Charlie), Bellingham; Paula Culler, Chewelah; John Culler, Liberty Lake; Brian Culler (Virginia), Chewelah; Becky Washington (Ron), Chewelah; Jeffrey Culler (Ishka), Millwood, WA; brother, Richard Oman, Sr. (Dixie), Chewelah; step-sister Joanne Safford (Fred), Chattaroy, WA; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Many, many children of all ages will miss "Gramma Ida."

CULLER, Ida Mae Oman (Age 80) Ida Mae Culler of Chewelah, former long-time resident of the Spokane Valley, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2009 in Chewelah surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born on February 8, 1929 in Chewelah, the daughter of Carl Raymond and Ida Muriel (Savage) Oman. Ida Mae was raised in Chewelah where she graduated from Jenkins High School at the top of her 1947 class. On September 22, 1947, Ida Mae married Joseph Culler at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spokane. As their family grew, Ida Mae was very active in the St. Paschal's Parish school and church community. In 1963, as the mother of seven, she returned to college and was in the first graduation class at the new Spokane Community College. As mother of eight, she graduated magna cum laude from Eastern Washington State College (now EWU) earning a Bachelor's degree in Education and English/Creative Writing in 1967. She taught English at Ferris High School until she earned a Master's Degree in Library Science and transferred to Jantsch High School. She was librarian at Shaw Jr. High when she retired in 1992. Mayor Sheri Barnard declared May 8, 1992 "Ida Mae Culler Appreciation Day" in Spokane. In 1999, Ida and Joe returned to Chewelah, WA and have resided there since. A retirement highlight was meeting President Jimmy Carter at his mother Lillian's birthday party in Plains, GA. Ida Mae's sense of compassion and justice compelled her to get involved, often to the chagrin of her children. She initiated action when she thought it was needed and was a tenacious advocate. Her faith gave foundation to her life and many activities, including service as a Eucharistic minister and a spiritual pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia in 1994. She played the piano and organ for church and community events from the time she was in grade school until her recent resignation as church organist. One of her proudest accomplishments was publication of a book, co-authored with her father, "Carl Oman Remembers" a memoir of his life in the Colville Valley. An insightful poet, she leaves a legacy of inspiration and humor. Her many affiliations included the Catholic Church and Altar Society, Spokane Education Association, Washington Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi, Librarians Association, the Democratic Party, St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary, Chewelah Ladies Golf, and many PTA's. Published on 4/25/2009

 







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