Den and Irene Dempsey Move to Everett

This report about Den Dempsey is dated October 22.

Den and I are settled into our new home. The address is 4111 Federal Ave. Everett 98203. The phone is the same, 425-353-5905.  Please feel free to come and see us any time.

In early December we will have a little open house to welcome you, but we are happy to see you before then if you have time.

Den is doing really well. We have been going every week to Harborview to the eye specialist there and Den will have a cornea transplant on his right eye in a couple of months. His physical therapy continues to bring strength and agility and he talks a lot and more clearly all the time despite the paralysis on the right side of his mouth.

My blended food for the tube feeding is going very well. It seems to agree far better with his system than the canned formula did.

We plan a little trip to a cabin at Wallace Falls this weekend with my daughter and her husband. Den's big news is that we discovered VELOCITY, a TV channel devoted strictly to cars, their restoration, and value, and car auctions. He watches it whenever possible, and loves it, of course.

Do keep in touch. We send love to you all. Irene 

Kathy and I Visit Daphne, Den and Irene

Sunday, September 28, Kathy and I met with Daphne Dempsey at her new residence in Bothell.  She is safe and comfortable in her apartment where breakfast is served in her room and she is surrounded by her artifacts and memorabilia collected over a lifetime.  Daphne treated Kathy and me to lunch in the dining room then we returned to her apartment to meet Den and Irene Dempsey and Den’s care giver, Sam.

Den has been challenged this past year with an aneurism followed by a stroke which has not affected his memory, cognition, reasoning or ability to read, but has affected his motor skills.  He can stand but requires a wheel chair to get around.  He has limited use of his left arm and hand.  He is able to speak, however, the stroke has immobilized the right side of his face which makes forming words difficult. 

Kathy was able to understand much of Den’s conversation and Sam is able to express clearly Den’s meaning.  Irene is arranging for a speech assist device to enable Den to communicate clearly on his own.

Irene explained the medical procedures Den has experienced and their anticipated move to a small home in Everett.  Daphne shared news about herself and told several jokes which caused bursts of laughter.  Den spoke about his experiences and got a few laughs, too.  He asked about my health issues and expressed concern for my well being.  Kathy related news about her quilt making and showed photos on her phone.  Sam good naturedly listened to all the conversation and clarified when needed.

After Den’s visit to the Tri-Cities last year he and I felt not only a kinship but a brotherly affection as we share common values and interests.  Daphne, Bob and Burt have been very generous sharing photos and family history with me.  I will make a priority to visit Den, Irene and Daphne when in Western Washington.

Den Dempsey Update

I have received several updates about Den Dempsey from Irene Dempsey and this is the most recent -

It has taken a while and two court petitions, but it looks as if we may move to Den's house on Federal Ave. The first petition was granted in August, but the guardian countered and said we could not move. Den petitioned again and it was granted pending fiscal study. Yesterday, I think, the court said we can move. This legal language is confusing to me.

Anyway, I will keep you posted. If I read the order correctly, we may move at the end of the month. I'll send photos after the move, but on this message I will attach a photo of Den on the deck of that house with his aide.

Den is on the waiting list for a ACD, augmented communication device. That will interpret his speech so everyone can understand him. It will be  great boon to him. He loves to visit and talk and right now it is difficult. We attended his high school (Blanchet) reunion this month and he loved seeing old friends and talked a lot to them. Though most had trouble understanding him, everyone was patient and friendly and he loved it. His only regret was that he still cannot swallow so could not share all the good food.

He is still on the feeding tube, but I have foregone the prepared formula cans and have started blending "real" food for him. It is a challenge for me that I really enjoy. I'm learning lots about nutrition and foods. I bought a good quality blender and I'm having fun making up each day's menu for him.

We went up to Camano Island and had a lovely afternoon playing cards with very dear friends there - and Den won the game with five of us playing and trying to win.  He's a shrewd card player.

His therapy is going well and he is regaining the use of his left leg and arm. The progress is not a fast as he would like but it is in the right direction.

Please keep us in your "friends" list and let us hear from you.
​If and when we are in the new abode we will invite you all to a house warming.

Love to all, Irene and Den

Gladys Staeheli Passes

Stacey Pettitt has informed me of her grandmother's death in Colville on July 1, 2014.  Gladys Staeheli was married to Lester Staeheli, a son of Robert Hermann Staeheli.  Her obituary from the Colville Statesman Examiner newspaper -

Gladys Staeheli
By editor
Created 07/17/2014 - 12:58pm

Gladys Delene Staeheli, a lifelong resident of Colville, passed away on July 1, 2014. She was born the daughter of Henry and Azalea (Loiselle) Holst on Dec. 11, 1924 in Colville. Gladys attended school in Colville and graduated from Colville High School in 1941. She met Lester Staeheli, “Babe” in 1942 after he was discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces and the couple married in April 1945.
Gladys worked in Colville at Seattle-First National Bank as a Loan Officer, and also volunteered her time working for the Historical Society in Colville.

Gladys loved to watch Gonzaga University basketball and would never miss a game. She would keep track of their stats, and always talked about the happenings on the team. She was also an avid Seattle Mariners fan, and enjoyed listening to music. Most importantly, Gladys truly loved spending time with her family. Having family close to her and watching her grandchildren play always brought a smile to her face.

Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lester “Babe” Staeheli in 1975; by her parents, Henry Holst and Azalea Carter; her brothers, Ernest and Calvin Holst.
She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Scott and husband Randy, Colbert; granddaughters, Stacy Pettitt and husband, Steve; Rayna Larson and husband, David; grandson, William Scott and wife Fawn; great-grandchildren, Riley Pettitt, Reece Pettitt, Alayna Scott, and AvarLee Larson; niece, Sharon Thompson and husband, Travis; nephew, Paul Staeheli and a cousin, Helen Hytein.

A private family graveside service for Gladys was held at Mountain View Park Cemetery on July 11.
If one so wishes, memorial contributions can be made in Gladys’ name to the Dollars for Scholars or Historical Society in Colville.

Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com [1].
Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Copyright © 2014 The Statesman Examiner | 220 South Main Street P.O. Box 271 | Colville, WA 99114 | (509) 684-4567

I am unable to post photographs and have contacted Google to resolve the problem.

More Staeheli's in Texas

My cousin, Diann Apfelbeck, forwarded the Staeheli info to me yesterday.  I was so thrilled to see all the Staeheli family history.  My mother was Johanna (Hannah) Romang, daughter of Johanna Staeheli and Gottfried Romang.  My grandmother stayed in Wisconsin when the rest of her family went on to Washington because she met and fell in love with my grandfather, Gottfried Romang.  I remember Aunt Walda and Daphne coming to visit us in the 50’s when we were living in Milwaukee.  In fact, Aunt Walda sent me a stuffed koala bear when she returned to Tasmania.  I still have the bear.

 

My husband, John Lax, my children, Jolie and Jason, my mom, and my Aunt Mildred, who married Gottfried, another son of Johanna and Gottfried Romang, all visited our relatives in Seattle and Spokane in the early 80’s right after Mt. St. Helens erupted.   One of our favorite remembrances of that trip was visiting Virginia and Rock because Rock took some of us up in his plane for ride over the Seattle area.  We truly enjoyed meeting many of our relatives while on that vacation. 

 

John and I have resided in Houston since 1986.  Our two children are married and we now have four grandchildren who are all Texans!  If you ever get to Texas, please stop and visit!

 

Judy Lax

8531 Star Hollow Lane

Houston, TX 77095

281-856-8431

Contact from Wisconsin

In this morning's email there was a contact from Diann Lehman Apfelbeck, who lives in Medford, Wisconsin.  Diann learned about this blog from a nephew who had happened on it. 


Diann and her brother, Gary Lehman from Edgar, Wisconsin are children of Rose Lehman who was born to Johanna Waldburga Staeheli and Gottfried Romang.


Diann has a family photo to share.  She also inquired about a family facebook page, an idea I had not considered.  That will be another way to connect the Staeheli family so I will get to work on that.


I look forward to adding information about the Wisconsin Staeheli's to the Staeheli Family websites.

Daphne Dempsy Moves After 55 Years

In December Daphne Dempsey wrote to inform me she has moved from her home of 55 years in Kenmore to an assisted living facility in Bothell.  She describes Vineyard Park as a very lovely facility where she has her own one bedroom apartment with a living room and kitchen. There are many activities, games, exercising classes, a library and more.


You may contact Daphne at -


Vineyard Park at Bothell Landing
10519 East Riverside Drive
Apt. 211
Bothell, WA 98011


I will provide her telephone number by request.

A New Facebook Friend

I received a Facebook invitation from J'Nene Staeheli-Boland and clicked to include her as a friend.  J'Nene is a sister of Jerry Staeheli who my father and I met several years ago in Spokane.  It has been gratifying to know Jerry and I am pleased to have contact with J'Nene, too.

Den Dempsey Updates from Irene Dempsey

December 21
I bought Den a leather recliner for Christmas and he enjoys the change from the wheel chair.  He is eating a little, but keeps saying he wants a Sub sandwich.
January 7

Den had surgery on his right eye yesterday. Den and the doctor were great. I was a nervous wreck.  Anyway, it went well and in two weeks the stitches come out and his eye should be much improved.
Tiny steps, but in the right direction. He has eight therapies a week and every one moves him a little closer to a better life.  He's so strong and determined!  Love to you all. Irene
January 15
When we woke up yesterday I put my hand on Den's face and knew immediately he had a fever. I grabbed the thermometer and found it was 101. I called the doc and he said "Probably pneumonia, Take him to ER".  So I did.  
But the good news is it isn't pneumonia. He has a kidney stone in the left kidney that has stopped up plumbing and caused a very serious infection. So he been in ICU again and has been flooded with liquids and antibiotics and they put a tube into the kidney to drain the infection.

Poor Den !  Another tube! Anyway, tonight he is better and out of ICU. When he is stable, I can bring him home and monitor the kidney tube for some time until the infection is gone. Then he'll go back for a surgery to remove the stone. It is very fortunate that we discovered it right away.
So, my sweet Den is back in the hospital and dealing with tubes and doctors again. He has definitely had far more than his share of the hospital scene. When I left tonight he said, "I want to go home with you." It broke my heart to leave him.
But we will prevail! He is the strongest fighter I know and he is determined to win.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  Much love to all. Irene
January 19
Den is home today. Very weak and quiet. The infection and the antibiotics are battling in his kidney. But his numbers are all pretty good. Keep thinking of him. Love to all

January 23
Den is home. Very tired and weak with the bugs and antibiotics battling inside, but he is a strong and determined fighter and doing well. Thanks for the many messages of love and support. We have some wonderful friends. Love to all.
February 8
Den is home again from another stay in the hospital with very serious Sepsis. He's had so many tubes and meds and needles, he's exhausted and very lethargic, but still up for therapy. I've never seen such a strong will as his. Anyway, he's home again and loves to get cards, visits and phone calls. Our love to you all. Irene