Silver V. Dehner

HAMILTON - Silver Violet Dehner, 95, passed away on Sunday March 6, 2011 at the Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton.

Silver was born May 1, 1915 in Quincy, Illinois, to Paul and Ada Dede and, along with her brother Chester, spent a large portion of her life there. Several years after marrying her husband Leon Dehner in 1932, and the births of their two children, Donald in 1936 and Sharon in 1946, the couple moved to Santa Rosa, California, in 1947. During this time Silver remained at home as a devoted mother. The two built several homes in the area and Silver played an active role in much of the construction. Eventually the two decided to move to the Bitterroot Valley in 1978 to be closer to family. While in Montana Silver was blessed to become a grandmother and later a great-grandmother. Despite the loss of her husband Leon in 1980, she remained fiercely independent and stayed active in the community and with her family for a great many years. She maintained her independence up until the last few years of her life when she came under the care of the Discovery Care Centre where she was graciously looked after by some the finest and most caring professionals in their field.

Silver was an extremely social person who touched the lives of everyone she met. She was an active member of Corvallis United Methodist Church and her devotion to God served as a source of strength for her and never wavered. She spent much of her life performing various craft hobbies and became very talented at needlepoint and sewing. In the twilight of her years she traveled extensively throughout the world. Germany, Greece, China and Japan are but a few of the exciting countries she has experienced. Her love of friends and family, combined with her sharp wit and strong yet caring personality will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

Silver was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother, her daughter-in-law, and her husband.

She is survived by her son Donald Dehner and his wife Delores of Litch Field Park, Arizona, her daughter Sharon Cook of Hamilton, her grandsons Patrick, Brian, and Michael along with his wife Michelle and their daughter Makaylyn, and granddaughters Melody and Lisa.