Stella Pauline McClung

Stella P. (Zacherle) McClung was born November 3, 1939, in Nespelem, Wash., and passed away at her home peacefully on November 26, 2024, at the age of 85 with loved ones by her side. Stella grew up in Disautel and Omak area with her parents George and Amelia (Pierre) Zacherle along with her three brothers and two sisters. She attended school at St. Mary’s Mission. As the oldest daughter, Stella was able to help with home life, and care for her siblings. Stella married Norman A. McClung (deceased) in 1958 and had four children; three sons, Dewayne (Yogi) and John (both deceased), Daniel and daughter, Patty. Stella’s husband died in a tragic drowning accident in 1965. Although this loss devastated Stella, she remained strong and vowed to raise her children the best way she knew how, with lots of love. In 1967 Stella met and fell in love with her lifelong partner, William (“Squeek”) Stensgar. They eventually had a daughter, Carla Ann. Stella’s career began in 1965 with Biles-Colman Lumber Mill, later known as Crown Zellerbach and then Omak Wood Products, retiring in 2008. Stella mastered the skill of pulling green chain, where she trained the new hires coming in. A lot of the workers didn’t last long because the work was hard, but Stella was the exception, she remained a loyal employee for over four decades. Other jobs she did at the mill were facility worker and fire watch. She was a longtime member of the Local Lumber & Sawmill Workers Union. Stella’s favorite places to camp were Twin Lakes, Owhi Lake, and Gold Lake where you could find her and her family camping for days on end. She loved to pick huckleberries and would travel as far as the Stampede Pass just south of Snoqualmie Pass, in the Cascade Mountains. She often shared stories of picking berries on Stevens Pass and Moses Mountain, with her mother, as a young girl. She said they would camp for weeks during huckleberry picking season. Stella was a great cook, she made the best fried rice, roasts, potato soup, fried potatoes and huckleberry cool whip/cream cheese pies, and she would say all my cooking is good because I make it with love. Stella loved and adored all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always remembered their birthdays making sure to get birthday cards and gifts. It was important to Stella to give her kids good memories whether it was a vacation in the city or a camping trip in the mountains. Stella was an enrolled member of the Colville Tribes, and was baptized Catholic. Stella is survived by her sister Betty Kohler, her son Daniel McClung of Spokane, daughters Patty McClung (Lewis) Adolph and Carla (Stan) Spencer, both of Okanogan, and step-son John Stensgar and daughter in-law Dena McClung both of Spokane; grandchildren, Dewayne McClung Jr., Amelia (Michael) Stanger, and Natalya Reyes; David Best II., and Alana (Zack) Benson; Angela (Jarrod) Davidson, Marcus (Katrina) McClung, and Jarrod McClung; and Justine (Yassine) Alfadil, Jayde Spencer, and Mariah Spencer; and great grandchildren, Jennifer and Kamryn McClung; Sophia Stanger; Jazmine, Destiny and Nayeil Reyes; Duane and David Best III.; Stella and Dean Benson; and Rylan, Addison and Tyler Davidson. Stella is preceded in death by her parents George and Amelia Zacherle, Brothers Leonard, Larry and Lester Zacherle and Sister Shirley Goujon, son Dewayne Allen McClung Sr., stepson Monty Joe Stensgar and grandson Norman McClung. Stella’s services and burial arrangements are as follows: a Public Rosary will be at the Omak Longhouse on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at 7 p.m.; and Services will be at the Omak Longhouse on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. She will be laid to rest at the Zacherle Cemetery in Okanogan WA. A dinner will be shared with family and friends of Stella at the Omak Longhouse following the burial. Stella’s services will be officiated by Father Jake. Flowers may be sent to Omak Longhouse, 7 Mission Rd., Omak, WA 98841, (509) 422-7400, beginning Dec. 1, 2024.

Stella Pauline McClung

November 3, 1939 - November 26, 2024