Elizabeth Womach Dammel

Elizabeth Dammel, long time Mohler resident, died December 4, 2012, at home at the age of 101. She was the first daughter born to John Peterson Nyberg and Alma Harshbarger Nyberg in Greenacres, Wash. on May 21, 1911.

Elizabeth was known as Betty Nyberg when she graduated from North Central High School in Spokane, acquired her teaching credentials from Cheney Normal and became a teacher at the Liberty Lake schoolhouse.

She married Ernest Womach in June 1936, and they moved to the Womach homestead near Mohler. They purchased the John Shields farm in Mohler and also the Mohler school teacher’s cottage, from which she taught piano lessons. Some of her students were Donna and Karlene Knapp, Darlene Miller, Donna Hambright and Gloria Werner. She attended the Mohler Methodist Church and sometimes filled in as pianist. From 1948 to 1953, they lived in Spokane Valley where Ernest was involved in real estate sales. In 1953 their home in Mohler was completed, and with their two adopted children they returned to Mohler and farming. Elizabeth has since lived continuously in this home.

She found time to work with the county 4-H group and was a leader of the Boy Scouts for a period of time. She was active in the Order of Eastern Star on the local and state levels. Elizabeth attended the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Harrington from 1953 to 1965, and served as pianist with Naomi Kruger at the organ from 1955 to 1965. Ernest died June 12, 1956, just two days prior to their 20th anniversary. Elizabeth remained on the farm with her two children. She managed the farm and hired Marvin Hambright to do the farming.

Elizabeth met Carl Dammel some years previous to their courtship in 1964 and they were married January 3, 1965, in a small wedding at Elizabeth’s farm home. Carl gave up his home in Odessa and moved to Mohler. They attended the Congregational Church in Odessa, where Elizabeth made many new friends.

They enjoyed traveling and golfing together. Elizabeth loved to entertain and participated in the Mohler Women’s Club from her early move to Mohler in 1936 to its closing in the 1980s. Even then, the club women would organize card parties and socials while they were able.

In 1987, Elizabeth became legally blind with macular degeneration, which curtailed her ability to read, play the organ, sew and braid rugs. Her other loves: playing the piano, little children, flowers, baking and cooking remained with her nearly to the end. Carl passed away in Odessa on April 19, 2007, after 42 years of marriage to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by two older brothers, Harold and Clarence Nyberg and two younger sisters, Annabelle Eisele and Janet Snyder, nephew Lauren Eisele, and two husbands. She is survived by son Jasper Womach of Alexandria, VA, daughter Marjorie Womach at the home, step-son Stanley Dammel of Odessa, WA, daughters-in-law Marilynne Black and Debbie Dammel, youngest sister Retha Deyoe of Vicksburg, MS; sister-in-law Rose Dammel Law; grandchildren Ronald Womach, Curtis Womach, Steven Learned, Todd and Troy Dammel, Denise Kliskey, Melinda and Elaine, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services under the direction of Strate Funeral Home of Davenport will be held Saturday, December 8, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Harrington. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Harrington United Methodist Church, W. 305 Alice St, Harrington, WA 99134 or Assured Hospice, 1417 South Pioneer Way, Moses Lake WA 98837.