Elizabeth Ann (Dode) Hill (Puariea)

Elizabeth, called Dode since childhood, passed away on September 7 in Auburn, Washington. She was 89.
Dode was born to Lila Berg Puariea and Moses Puariea in Reeder, ND on May 18, 1927. At the age of 8, the Puarieas left the Dakotas to join relatives in Tacoma. Not long afterwards they moved to Scott Turner Road near Eatonville, where her Dad built a house.
Dode remembered walking through the woods to catch the school bus while keeping a sharp eye out for bears, sleeping with her siblings on the upper floor of their not-yet-finished house where sometimes the snow filtered through the shingles and onto their blankets, and never having many extra sets of clothing.
Always an outstanding student, Dode was accelerated through the grades and graduated from Eatonville High School in 1944 shortly after her 17th birthday. While in high school she met her future husband, Jack Hill, but refused to marry him until he returned from serving as a Navy aviator in the Pacific during World War II. Jack made it back, and they were married on September 14, 1946, a marriage that lasted 70 years.
In the 1940s, girls seldom went to college. But thanks to the GI Bill Jack did, and with more than a little academic help from his bright bride he graduated from the University of Washington in 1952 with a degree in forest engineering. As a result, Jack and Dode, along with many other GI Bill recipients, were propelled from the struggles of the Great Depression into the great American Middle Class.
Dode is remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved hosting large, crazy family gatherings at their big house on Lake Tapps. She also enjoyed fishing and camping. Dode spent many happy days fishing with Jack at numerous spots; but she especially loved the Cowlitz River. Her adventurous spirit led her to learn to snow ski as an adult and travel as often as she could in later life. She was also known for her green thumb and constant cooking. No one could raise hydrangeas like her or fix better deviled-eggs. She was quick to laugh, and she was so loved.
Dode’s principal calling in life was as a mother and wife but she also loved the workplace. While Jack was in the Navy, Dode worked in Tacoma at the Lemon Lunch, waiting for his return. While Jack was attending the University of Washington, Dode worked at Moss, Adams Accountants and was working in the Smith Tower in downtown Seattle during the 1949 earthquake. Dode was also a key business partner in her husband’s ventures in the construction business. When they purchased Puyallup Marine, Dode worked six days a week handling the business office responsibilities at the company. She eventually retired from McCallum Licensing in Puyallup after a long tenure.
Dode is survived by her husband Jack, three daughters, Saundra Hill of Pasco, Washington; Suzanne Swarthout of Bonney Lake; and Sheryl Hill Kober of Orting and sister Janice Puariea Morrison of Auburn. She also leaves 9 beloved grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dode was preceded in death by her mother and father, 4 siblings, including Eugene (Bud) Puariea, Donna Puariea Deck and Gayle Puariea Kitchel and nephews Steven Deck and Gary Deck.
A Celebration of Dode’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 8 from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Sumner Sportsman Club, 15711 96th St E, Puyallup, WA. A verbal tribute to her life will begin at 4:30. Friends and family are encouraged to bring a favorite family dish with a written recipe along with a favorite memory to share.
Dode lived most of her adult life and raised her family in Sumner. Her children and five of her granddaughters—Carrie, Julie, Jordan, Blair and Paige—attended Sumner schools. Therefore in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation at 1202 Wood Ave. Sumner WA 98390, in honor of Elizabeth A. Hill.
Remembrances can be left on a memorial site at never-gone.com.