Lillian E. Auwerter

Lillian E. Auwerter, 74, a 40 year resident of Wenatchee, WA, passed away on October 7, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 4, 1936, in San Diego, CA to Thomas and Lillian Batson. They moved to Texas and then came to reside in Omaha, NE. She graduated from Benson High in 1954, and she worked as a Secretary at Mutual of Omaha. On March 24, 1956, she married the love of her life, Dale Auwerter, in Omaha, NE and became his devoted wife. They had a daughter, Renee, in 1959, and moved with Dale's job to the Chicago area, where in 1966, they had their second daughter, Michelle. When her husband's employer, the Washington State Apple Commission, offered him a position at the Wenatchee office, Lillian and Dale gathered their girls and moved out west in 1970, to the Wenatchee Valley. Lillian was a stay-at-home mother for most of her daughter's school years and she really appreciated the welcome of the 'Newcomer's Club' that the Wenatchee area had to assist those new to the area. She still had the friends she made back then. After she received her driver's license, she was employed with the Red Cross and the Educational Service District. In 1986, she began her career with the USDA Forest Service in the support services section for the Supervisor's office of the Wenatchee National Forest. She retired in 2002, after 25 years. Lillian was an active member of the Liberty Chapter No. 273 Order of the Eastern Star in Omaha, NE. She served as Bethel #62 Job's Daughters Secretary and Treasurer in Wenatchee in the mid 1970s, supporting Renee's membership. She was the Secretary on the Board of the Ballet Theatre Northwest, formerly known as the Wenatchee Civic Ballet for over 25 years, supporting Michelle and granddaughter, Kimberly's love of ballet. She was always there to cheer on the many girl's softball teams that her husband coached and her girls played on during the 1970s and 1980s. She was a member of the Appleaires and the First United Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughters, Renee (Charles) Phipps of Florida and Michelle (Erin) Smith and adoring granddaughter, Kimberly Smith, all of East Wenatchee; and her brother, William (Evelyn) Batson of Omaha, NE. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Auwerter, in 1985; and her mother and step-father, Lillian and Jennings Sorman. Lillian always enjoyed proudly watching her daughter, Michelle and her granddaughter, Kimberly, performing on stage with the ballet. Donations may be made in her name to Ballet Theatre Northwest, 27 N. Chelan Ave., Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Lillian was a loving, strong, supportive wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, who could listen with her whole heart and comfort you with words of encouragement. We know she is in the arms of Jesus and can now be at peace. Services were previously held.

Lillian E. Auwerter

October 4, 1936 - October 7, 2010