Onabell Litzenberger, of Spokane, died peacefully on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at Hospice House of Spokane, surrounded by family. She was 91.

Born in Pushmataha County, Okla., on Nov. 7, 1921, to Clarence and Ida Stiner, she led a long and adventurous life. As a child, Onabell traveled by covered wagon from Oklahoma to Montana. She spent most of her life in Washington and Idaho, but also lived for a time in Oregon and California. She married and outlived three husbands, Warren Cook, Jasper Peterson and Aldine Litzenberger.

After retiring from her job as a housekeeper at Sacred Heart Hospital in 1981, she spent her later years helping raise her grandchildren, camping on the St. Joe River and picking huckleberries in the mountains. She loved large family gatherings and her many travels to visit relatives. She was regularly the life of the party and was often the last one to bed as the campfire burned down or after a night out with the girls. She will be remembered for her incredible stories, mischievously beautiful smile and boundless capacity to love.

The grand matriarch of a large and loving family, she is survived by her nine children and their spouses, Sharon Eilers, Richard and Karen Cook, Barbara and David Smith, Ronda and John Deakins, Ronnie McMullin, Debra and Scott August, Gordon and Jill Litzenberger, Gary Litzenberger and Don Litzenberger; 30 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

Onabell was preceded in death by her five brothers and sisters, Lewis Stiner, Ethel McCaw, Fred Stiner, Troy Stiner and Rosalie Culp. Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of the caregivers at St. Joseph Care Center, Holy Family Hospital and Hospice of Spokane who served Onabell in her final days.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. A celebration of life and potluck lunch will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church adjacent the funeral home. Public viewing will be available on the day of the service. Final placement will be at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, is entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Onabell’s memorial and sign her online guest book atwww.yatesfuneralhomes.com.