Bella E. Dicus

May 05, 1926 - April 24, 2016

Bella E. Dicus Obituary (Age 89) Bella passed away on April 24, 2016 in Spokane, WA. She was born on May 5, 1926 in Baltimore, MD to Alma and Herman Knoppel. She was one of eight children. She met Lawrence A. Dicus, who was from Spokane, WA when he was stationed in Maryland during World War II. Both were avid skaters. She moved to Spokane after Larry was discharged and was married here. She is survived by son Ronald Dicus and his wife Diane and by her daughter Shirley Dicus and her friend Donald Wilhelm, both of Spokane. They had eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Larry passed away in 2013. They had been married for 66 years. She was also preceded in death by a sister and two brothers. Their interest in skating transitioned into square dancing. They were active in two dance clubs, Buttons & Bows and Toms and Tabbies for many years. The family also camped and boated. Bella was creative and artistic. She was a skillful seamstress and made most of her family's clothes. She enjoyed cooking, and while in Weight Watchers she created a recipe that won a national award and was published in the Weight Watchers Magazine. Bella was always very interested in birdwatching. Bella and Larry's yard was a Designated Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary for many years, and they were active in the Audubon Society. She took great joy in studying and teaching about the many types of birds that would come into their yard, and that they saw during their travels. For 20 years Bella kept a daily log book of birds she saw, and events in the bird world. She looked for a favorite Fox Sparrow's return to her yard each year on the same date. Throughout their marriage Bella and Larry traveled around the country to visit Bella's siblings and parents. While raising her family, she worked part time at a variety of jobs including clerking at a department store, babysitting and as an office clerk in insurance and at a municipal water district. After Bella and Larry retired, they enjoyed a small dog, Tappy, who accompanied them on their travels. After she passed, they had another small dog named Hobo. Mom was a long time member of Unity Spiritual Center and had been an active volunteer until her health limited her participation. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 South Bernard, Spokane WA 99203, or to the Spokane Audubon Society at P.O. Box 9820 Spokane WA 99209-9820.