Serving Whitman County since 1877
Dorine Colette Soss (Dee) passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020, after a three week battle with Covid-19. She died at Hospice of North Idaho with family at her side, she was 90 years old.
Dorine was born to Homer and Dorece Rule on April 24, 1930, in Spokane, Wash. She and her younger sister, Margene, spent their earliest years living near Corbin Park in Spokane. The family eventually relocated to Auburn, Wash., where twin half brothers Frank and Fred were born. It was there, Dorine graduated from high school, returning afterward to Spokane where she attended Deaconess Nursing school. She received her nursing credentials from Whitworth College and began her nursing career at Deaconess.
In 1954, on a blind date, Dee met Daniel Soss. It was a match that would last 65 and a half years. She and Dan were married on June 17th, 1955, and began married life in Oakesdale, Washington, where they ran the swimming pool. At the end of that first summer they headed to Seattle where Dan attended graduate school and Dee continued her nursing career at Children's Orthopedic Hospital. It was also in Seattle that they would begin their family, giving birth to their first child, a daughter, Shari.
The little family traveled back and forth between Spokane and Seattle for several years and in that time the couple gave birth to a second daughter, Nancy. After graduate school the family settled into a little house on Dalton where a son, Mark, was born. During this time Dee worked for both Booth Memorial Hospital, and Holy Family Hospital. At the same time Dee also began helping her husband in his professional endeavors. While in Spokane she helped him develop the Killinger Group Home and write coursework for Eastern, WSU and Whitworth.
In 1966, Dan took a job in Olympia moving the family once again. In Olympia Dee continued her work as a nurse at St. Peter's Hospital, while at the same time increasing the level of her involvement in assisting her husband in his work. The two jointly served on many committees and boards and in founding a Recovery House, Planning Council, Referral Center and District Court School on Alcoholism, where they both taught.
In 1973, the family moved to Colfax, Washington, and Dee began work as a nurse for the Whitman Convalescent Center. Dan and Dee lived in Colfax for 20 years, where they watched their children graduate high school and go on to college. During the later part of their time in Colfax they once again worked together at the Whitman Plaza Retirement Complex where Dee was Director of Nursing Services.
After retiring the couple moved to northern Idaho where they enjoyed Lake Pend Oreille and growing vegetable gardens and orchards. As time continued on and they began to feel the effects of age they moved to Post Falls to a less physically demanding lifestyle, and eventually to Coeur d'Alene, to live with their son Mark. During this period in their lives they became founding members of the Living Word Fellowship Church in Post Falls. Dee felt great joy in watching their little church grow and flourish.
Throughout their life the two cared for 21 foster children and one adopted adult child. Dee touched the hearts and lives of so many in such a positive way that she was endeared by all who knew her. As a mother, a wife, and a friend you could not ask for someone more loyal or devoted. She will be missed by many!
Dee is survived by her husband Dan Soss; brother Frank Forman (Fran); brother-in-law Dick Soss; step-sister Kay Brown; daughters, Shari Roths (Mike), and Nancy Ray; son Mark Soss; adopted daughter Pam Morgan; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her mother Dorece Forman; her father, Homer Rule; her step-mother Francine Rule; her brother Fred Forman; her sister Margene Rule; her sister-in-law Marty Soss; and her son-in-law Allen Ray.
No services will be held at this time due to Coronavirus restrictions, but a memorial will be set at a later date. Memorials may be made to Living Word Fellowship Church 208-457-1665 or Hospice of North Idaho, Coeur d'Alene.
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