Andrea Elma Sprague 9/9/1919 - 3/7/2020

Andrea Elma Sprague 100 ½ YRS 1919-2020 Adrea Elma Sprague passed away peacefully with family at her side March 7th. For the past few years she was a resident of the Regency Nursing Center in Omak where she received wonderful love and care. She was born in Loomis, CA September 9, 1919 and spent most of her life in Penryn, CA. She later moved to Tonasket, WA in the early 80s to follow her daughter and her family. She married John Montero September 10, 1945 and was widowed 1951. They had two children Fredrick (Beth) Montero of Penryn, CA and Victoria (Lonnie) Emery of Omak, WA. After being widowed she married Merlin Sprague for a very short time. She is survived by her children and 5 grandchildren Kelly Emery of Tonasket, Kim Chira (David) of Long Beach, CA, Bobby Wilson (Jon) of Riverside, Lonnie Emery (Carrie Huppuch) of Oak Harbor, WA and Kwin Bailey(Counsel Langley) of Anchorage, AK. She had 9 great grandchildren Cameron Emery, Garrett and Whitney Wilson, Shelbianne Gilreath(Tyler Field), Drake Chira, Sunshyne, Emerald, Dare and Leum Bailey and 2 great-great grandchildren MaryEllen and Sally Field. Also two nephews Mike Strange and Kenneth Yeo. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Elizabeth Flint, her two sisters Ollie Mae (Clifford) Hayes and Florence Eugenia (Ed) Strange, both husbands, one infant grandson and a step grandson Sean Bonner all of Penryn, CA and one infant great grandchild Caitlyn Gilreath of Tonasket, WA. She graduated Auburn High School 1938 and Auburn Jr College in 1940 and received a Bachelor's degree from San Jose State 1942. While attending high school and college she worked for her parents in their store and post office. She worked as a nurse, substitute school teacher, and then a lab technician for Libby's Cannery. When the war began she went to work at McClelland AFB in Sacramento as an aircraft mechanic known then as a "Rosie The Riveter" where she worked until retirement. She chose to retire early to spend time with her family. She enjoyed camping, swimming, hiking and summers at the family cabin in Truckee, CA. She loved birds, wildflowers and poetry. In her older years she loved to play double deck solitaire, work puzzles, and watch TV. But her favorite was time with her family. She was a Campfire Girl leader for several years, a member of the Eastern Star of the Penryn Chapter and a member of Daughters of the American Golden West. She was a very loyal and devoted mother and grandmother. In her memory book she wrote what she valued most "Honesty in all things and deepest regard for our fellow man" MY MOM She'd put on those jeans She hated so bad, Slipped on a plaid shirt and tied her hair in a rag… She wore brown leather shoes with steel in the toes, No those were not the clothes that she chose… She was so smart she became so strong, Why was she ashamed of the strength in her arms?... She did what she had to, what she must, what she should, She worked like a man just as hard as she could… Though she never got paid the same wage as the men, But often did their job over again… She trained as a nurse and a teacher and more, But this was no time for a career; it was an era of war… As a widow she mourned, she felt angered and torn, But she had to go on for the two children she'd born… Then after the war the men got their way, The women were rift and cut down in pay… Then back to school to learn new skills, No clothes for the kids she couldn't even pay the bills. As she walked down the road and back home each night, She felt she must look a dreadful sight… She'd spent each day eleven hours from home, And hoped by evening they'd still call her mom.. What has she achieved in her days at length? A legacy to her children of courage and strength. Victoria EmeryFamily gathered privately.