ZONA MAE (CRESSEY) BRINK Obituary (1922

Zona Mae Brink, 92, died on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at her home in Libby. She was born in Arthur, Iowa, on February 10, 1922, to Fay and Esther Cressey. The family later moved to Spokane where Zona graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1940. She received her RN degree from St. Luke's Hospital in Spokane and served in the US Navy from 1944-1946. She married Walter Rice in 1947 in Spokane and immediately became mom to his 4 year old daughter, Charlotte. The couple was also blessed with 2 sons -- Greg in 1948 and Steven in 1950. The family moved to Lynnwood, WA where Walt died in 1960. In 1968, Zona married Karl Tegtmeyer and became mom to 3 more -- Doug, Debbie and Susie -- making it 5 teenagers in the Seattle house at one time! Karl was the love of her life. They retired to their beach property in the South Sound area near Olympia, WA. Always active in the Presbyterian Church, they served as volunteers with Meals on Wheels even as Karl's health was failing. Karl died in 1995. In 1996, Zona married Doug Brink and moved to Vista Village, an older adult community, where Zona was always busy at the clubhouse visiting, playing bridge and pinochle and organizing social events. Doug preceded her in death. She moved to Libby, Montana in 2013 to be closer to her sons as her health failed. While in Libby, she continued to be connected to her family and friends making good use of her cell phone as her vision made it difficult to write. Zona slipped peacefully from this life to the next on October 4, 2014. We will always be so grateful for the loving care she received from Carol Roberts in the adult family home where Zona lived. Zona was preceded in death by her parents, her three husbands, her sisters, June and Dorothy, her brother, Gary, her daughter, Susie Johnson, and her grandson, Bryan Ische. Survivors include her children, Charlotte Ische of Stanwood, Wash.; Greg (Susie) and Steven Rice of Libby, Mont.; Doug Tegtmeyer of Olympia and Debbie (Lloyd) Rosenthal of Seattle. She is lovingly remembered as Gramma T by Shannon, Cressey, Sarah, Tara, Trevor and Elissa; she was great gramma to Tyler, Royce, Dalton, Lacie, Austin, Jaden, Jahleel, Elise and Zona; had one great-great granddaughter, Tanis; and numerous nieces and nephews who benefited from her caring relationship with them and her infectious laugh. Services will be in Olympia, Washington at a later date. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred with Karl's at the columbarium at Westminister Presbyterian Church. Those wishing to honor the generous grace-filled life that Zona led are encouraged to make a donation to the charity of their choice. Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory in Libby. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.