Jeanette ENGLE Obituary (2021) – Spokane, WA

September 25, 1942 – October 18, 2021

Jeanette Lucille Mattas was born at home on September 25, 1942 in Merrill, Iowa. She graduated from high school in the first consolidated grade in LeMars, Iowa and later at Wayne State Teacher’s College in Wayne, Nebraska. Jeanette’s first teaching assignment was in Philipsburg, Montana, where she taught business classes at high schools. There she met Allen Engle and married them and started her family. Jeanette then taught business classes at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She and her family then moved to Pendleton, Oregon, where she taught business administration at Pendleton High School and Blue Mountain Community College. In 1975 she began her long career with the United States Forest Service and in 1983 she moved with her children to Vancouver, Washington, where she ended her forest service career. In 1992, she and her youngest daughter moved to Grand Junction, Colorado to be close to their siblings and mother, where she completed her 20-year federal civil service in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2005 she moved to Spokane, Washington to be with her eldest daughter and three grandchildren, where she remained very present throughout her childhood. Jeanette dedicated her life to caring for her youngest daughter, Kelly, who was born blind. In her golden years, she met her partner Tom Gooch, where they spent 7 wonderful years together before he passed away in 2019. She was proud of her home, where she enjoyed every season from her beautiful garden. She died peacefully at home on Monday, October 18, 2021. Jeanette made new friends easily everywhere and cultivated valuable lifelong friendships. She will always be remembered for her smile, quick wit and unparalleled sense of humor.

Jeanette leaves behind her sister Melva Fletcher (Dick Fletcher), sister-in-law Connie Mattas, numerous nieces and nephews, daughter Keri Suhr and her three children; Charissa Suhr, Amanda Suhr, Brandon Suhr, son Kyley Engle (Carrie) and daughter Kelly Engle.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her two parents, Leslie Mattas and Lucile Mattas, and her brother Marlyn Mattas.

Published by Spokesman-Review on 10/31/2021.