Dolores M. Brandt

Dolores M. Brandt, age 82, passed away at home December 17, 2009 surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on November 26, 1927 to Lewis and Petra Dinehart in Manning, North Dakota. Being raised on the family farm, she came to Spokane with her mother and siblings after the accidental death of her father in the early 1940’s. There, she met and married the true love of her life, Howard, in 1948. In 1966 they bought Fuller’s Resort at Badger Lake, just south of Cheney and operated it as a family business which remains in the family to this day. Upon retirement from the resort business they moved to Spokane. She became a surrogate Grandma to countless children at Terry’s daycare. Her own granddaughters were her joy and delight. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for “her girls.” Dolores’ compassion and heart were models for the whole family and will be difficult to live up to. Her home served as “Grandma’s halfway house” for kids leaving the nest to test the waters of “city life” and a haven for those in difficult times. She loved her family first, then her flowers and fishing. Her quiet faith was a gift without measure. Dolores is survived by her daughters, Terry Cunningham, Kristin (Gary) Oberg, son-in-law, Dick Cunningham, granddaughters Andrea (Ben) Robison, Holly (Mark) Kauffman, Serita (Chris) Baker, and great grandchildren Tavis and Laila Wood and her brother, Elmo (Velma) Dinehart, all of Spokane. She is also survived by her brother-in law, Charles (Mary) Brandt of Colville and numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard, and sisters, Hazel Watkins, and Elnora Anderson. Visitation will be Saturday, December 19 and Monday, December 21 from 9:00am - 5:00pm at Riplinger Funeral Home 4305 N. Division Spokane, WA. A “Celebration of Life” will begin at 1:00pm Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Riplinger Funeral Home followed by interment at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery.