Della D Peters

Della Doreen Moomaw Peters, 68, of Omak, Washington, began her journey home on September 3, 2026. Della was born April 21, 1958, in Omak to Eddie Leo Moomaw and Katie Grace “Michelsen” Moomaw. She was raised in Omak and attended Omak schools. She later earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from Eastern Washington University. Della devoted much of her life to children and education. Over the course of her career, she worked at North Omak Elementary, Omak Tribal Head Start, East Omak Elementary, and Pascal Sherman Indian School. Her roles included preschool teacher’s aide, paraprofessional, teacher, guidance counselor, FACE home visitor, and, most recently, Behavioral Specialist at Pascal Sherman Indian School, where she worked until her retirement in January 2026. Della had a special ability to connect with children, especially those who needed someone to look beyond their behavior and see the child underneath. Her students trusted her, sought her out, and knew they had someone firmly in their corner. To generations of children, she was simply and lovingly known as Teacher Della. Della was also committed to preserving language and culture. She completed the Nsyilxcn Language Fluency Certificate, a 10-month foundational program offered through the En’owkin Centre in affiliation with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). As a member of the Pascal Sherman Indian School cohort, she had the opportunity to learn from Okanagan first-language speakers. She valued the importance of carrying language, culture, and knowledge forward for future generations. On New Year’s Eve nearly 25 years ago, Della met her longtime partner, Tim Erb Sr. Through their life together, her family grew to include Tim’s sons, TJ Erb and Patrick Erb, whom she loved as her own, as well as TJ’s daughter, Alice Erb, whom Della helped raise. Family was at the center of Della’s life, and she never defined family solely by blood. Her home and heart were open to those who needed a place to belong. She raised her grandson Dayna Regier from infancy through adulthood and loved deeply the family she was born into as well as the family she built along the way. Della was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Leo Moomaw and Katie Grace “Michelsen” Moomaw, and her brother, Annie Lynn Moomaw. She is survived by her longtime partner, Tim Erb Sr.; her children, Rachel Grace “Fry” Regier, Mary Darlene “Fry” Palmer, Jack Wayne Fry Jr., TJ Erb, and Patrick Erb; her sisters, Jan Biram and Debbie Bourgeau; her grandchildren, Dayna Regier, Anna Marchand, Dalton Marchand, Martin Galindo Jr., Kristen Palmer, Javonie Palmer, and Alice Erb Shemar Palmer; and her great-granddaughter, Juniper Nicholson. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members, friends, and generations of students whose lives she touched. Della’s legacy will live on through her family, the children she helped raise, the students she advocated for, and the language and culture she worked to carry forward.

Della D Peters

April 21, 1958 - September 3, 2026