Anne Louise Dahnke Remaley, beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away in Pullman, Washington, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, of natural causes related to interstitial lung disease. She was 79.

The oldest of four daughters, Anne was born to Harold and Jean (Vrooman) Dahnke on May 27, 1946, in Cleveland. She grew up in Okemos, Michigan, and graduated from Okemos High School in 1964.

Over the next 14 years, Anne earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan, got married, gave birth to three sons, earned an M.A. and a teaching certificate from Michigan State University and began working as a teacher of English, reading and writing.

In 1978, she moved her family from East Lansing, Mich., to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where she taught high school English, reading, writing, special education and directed the Title I program for many years. From 1988-91, she served (appointed by the governor’s office) on the State of Idaho Task Force for Improvement of Chapter I Programs. For the 1989-90 school year, she was Teacher of the Year for Boundary County Schools and runner-up for State of Idaho Teacher of the Year.

In the summer of 1989, Anne helped her mother fulfill a longtime dream of visiting Alaska. The two of them took the ferry up the coast to get there, and they drove some 2,500 miles back in Anne’s air-conditionless 4-Runner. Anne later wrote (referring to her mother), “She had always wanted to go to Alaska and would mention it frequently in our phone calls. I decided that this trip needed to happen. I also decided that the trip would be for her — to honor her insatiable desire to stop and explore.”

In the early 1990s, Anne left Bonners Ferry. She subsequently spent a few years living in Seattle and teaching in Renton, but eventually settled in the Moscow-Pullman area in order to further her education and to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She completed a Ph.D. in educational leadership at Washington State University in 1995.

In January of 2000, Anne was in Golden Gardens Park in Seattle trying to get to the beach to see the waves during a windstorm. She got out of her truck to move a fallen tree limb, and was struck by another large limb. She sustained multiple injuries, including two fractured thoracic vertebrae. As was her nature, she recovered with positivity and silent strength, and by 2006, she had earned a M.Ed. in counseling from WSU. Before retiring, she worked for WSU for several years, teaching, researching, writing grants and serving as a fraternity house mother.

Anne was passionate about the well-being of the earth and the people who inhabit it. She had a notable interest in and compassion for America’s Indigenous peoples, and a deep respect and admiration for their beliefs and their relationship with nature. Her professional career was all about helping people, particularly those who were disadvantaged in various ways. She served on numerous boards and committees, presented her findings and thoughts at workshops and conferences, and made financial contributions to causes she believed in. She also worked with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse for many years, as shelter supervisor and a board member.

Anne was a gifted and prolific writer. She loved attending writers’ conferences, including six weeks at the Hedgebrook Writers Conference on Whidbey Island (Seattle) in 1996, and many years at the summer Fishtrap gatherings at Wallowa Lake in Eastern Oregon. Anne understood the power of the pen, and she poured her soul into all her writings, be they heartfelt texts or letters or cards to friends and family, essays about and in support of cherished causes, collections of genealogical information, poetry or writings to herself.

Anne was a caregiver throughout her life, especially to her family, including her parents, sisters, children and grandchildren. She was a listener, an adviser, a comforter, a pillar of support. She politely shared her knowledge and grace and love with everyone around her.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law Tony deAngelis, and sister-in-law Seba Remaley. Anne is survived by sisters Barbara EchoHawk (Fred), Patricia Dahnke and Lois Dahnke; ex-husband Carrick Remaley; sons Eric (Jean), Gavin (Jessica) and Nathan (Jennifer); grandchildren Jacquelin (Karl) and Maxwell (Tessa) Remaley, Alexandra (Eddie) O’Neill, and Connor and Logan Dahnke-Remaley; and great-grandchildren Maisie and Winona O’Neill, Adaline Remaley and Finley Dahnke-Remaley; nieces and their families; and dear friends.

Details regarding a memorial service are unknown at this time. Anne’s family appreciates your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Contributions in honor of Anne’s life may be made to any reputable organization that is dedicated to environmental protection or human rights/welfare.

Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at shortsfuneralchapel.com.

Our sister Anne Dahnke Remaley (OHS '64) passed away in her sleep in Pullman, WA, on June 21, 2025. Sent with broken hearts and forever love for our Annie - Barb, Patricia, and Lois

Thanks for notification from Bob Bratzler '64