Nellie Quilici

Nellie Quilici

Nellie Auda Quilici, 79, Moses Lake resident, passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by family October 19, 2015.

Nellie was born to John and Gladys (Rhodes) McLaren on January 4, 1936 in Dillon, Mont., the youngest of 13 children. She lived in Dillon as a young child and until she graduated from Dillon High School in 1954. She was active in FHA, Pep Club, Drill Team, and she loved economics. Nellie would go on to help with the family blacksmith and plumbing business, and she enjoyed the work.

She was a people person, made friends quickly and loved talking to people. She met her "cowboy" in 1955. After much convincing by him to be his bride, she ended up marrying Ray Quilici on August 22, 1956 at the home of her parents. Nellie and her husband would settle in Dillon during the early years. Ray was a cowboy, which meant there would be a few moves along the way until they ended up settling in Odessa for 47 years.

Nellie had six children. She was able to stay home and raise them until the youngest was in school. Not only did Nellie take care of her children, but she would cook gigantic meals for all the ranch hands that Ray worked with. She had an insane passion for cooking, she passed this passion down to her children and they embraced it. She also cooked for the senior citizens and for various cafes in Odessa. Nellie played a part in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Baptist Church, where she helped make kuchens and kraut ranzas during the annual Deutchesfest. She loved bowling and made it to state competitions a few times. She was also active in the ladies auxiliary of the VFW.

Nellie was a warm, loving person. She was funny and had a heart of gold, a soft voice but a firm hand. She loved being a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother. Her family meant everything to her. After just recently losing Ray in September 2015, she hung on for a bit, just to make sure her family would be okay. Once she confirmed that, she wasted no time in joining her cowboy of 59 years. She missed him dearly.

Nellie leaves behind her children Rita (Stan) Butler, Ray (Tina) Quilici, Nanette (Jason) Flowers, Arlee Riley, Janet Tapia, Tony Quilici and Roger McQuiston, as well as 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at the Odessa Christ Lutheran Church, 602 Amende Drive, in Odessa on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 2 p.m. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at http://www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.