Luella Joy Dow

On July 15, 2016, Luella Joy Dow, 84, concluded the story of her life peacefully by saying "I just want to go home," and so she did. She was born on Dec. 12, 1931 to Dale and Grace Milner in Deer Park, Wash. She attended Williams Valley School, Deer Park High School and Whitworth College.

Luella married Wallace Dow on Sept. 29, 1957, and moved to Cheney. She lived on their farm south of Cheney for almost 60 years. She loved the country and was fortunate to spend most of her life living there and being independent.

Many will remember her for feisty letters to the editor about various topics, including politics. She was happiest at the typewriter, typing out a short story, play, or political opinion. Luella was the author of several novels, and wrote a weekly column for the Cheney Free Press called "Of Cabbages and Kings."

She is survived by her children Teresa (Tom), Carolyn (Doug), and Wayne (Anna); seven grandchildren, Mark, Matt, Amy, Kirsten, Allison, McKindsay and Maya; four great-grandchildren, Sierra, Emeline, Jack and Savannah. Luella was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Dale; her sister, Lorraine; husband, Wally and son Nelson.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA, 99204.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 at the Cheney Church of the Nazarene with a reception to follow. Burial will be at the Lance Hill Cemetery. Visit her online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com.