Lee Etta Mulch passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The daughter of Leroy Manning and Victoria (Anderson) Manning, she was born on Aug. 25, 1931, at Hebron, Neb. During her childhood years she lived on a farm near Reynolds, Neb., and later on a farm near Hubbell, Neb.
She graduated valedictorian from Hubbell High School at the age of 16 and after attending Kearney State Teachers College, began teaching in a rural one-room school. She continued her studies earning a degree from Fairbury Junior College.
Lee Etta and Dean Mulch were married May 4, 1949. The couple lived on a farm near Munden, Kan., where Lee taught school until Dean enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952. Military life in those days was characterized by frequent transfers between duty stations. Lee performed clerical work and sales near the various military bases.
Upon their return from England in 1957, Dean was assigned to a base in Little Rock, Ark., where their first son, Darrell, was born. After a move to Plattsburg Air Base, N.Y., in 1959, the family grew with the additions of Dale and Judy. In 1961 a move to Tucson, Ariz., gave Lee the opportunity to continue her education at the University of Arizona.
In 1965, they arrived in Idaho at Mountain Home Air Force Base where Lee taught kindergarten. After a 1967 move to the air base in Minot, N.D., Lee went back to school and completed a degree in Education at Minot State College where she was selected to join the Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society. Lee then taught second grade after a transfer to Grand Forks Air Force Base.
In 1969, the family stepped off an airplane into the sultry atmosphere of Manila, in the Philippine islands. Dean was stationed at the American Embassy there and Lee taught at JUSMAG, a Department of Defense school. In 1971 the family moved to Knoxville, Tenn., where Dean had an attachment. Lee Etta taught first grade there and was selected “Outstanding Young Woman of the Year.”
Dean was honorably discharged in 1973, and by family consensus, they made their way back to Idaho. Lee Etta taught sixth grade in Boise, until they moved to Viola. While living in Viola, Lee Etta attended summer school at the University of Alabama earning a master’s degree in Education. Lee Etta taught for 15 years in the Potlatch School District where she also served two years as president of the Potlatch Education Association. After retirement she and Dean made their home in Clarkston.
Lee was a member of Eastern Star Chapter #477, West Chazy, N.Y.; First United Methodist Church of Clarkston; Kappa Delta Phi; and was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi. Lee was a past queen of Malac Temple, Daughters of the Nile, past president of PEO, Chapter BR, and served two years as vice president of Organization X in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.
Lee is survived by her husband, Dean, and her three children Darrell Mulch of Portland, Ore.; Dale Mulch (Clare) of Moscow; and Judy Savage (Dave) of Moscow. She is also survived by five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one grandson.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home, 1711 18th St., Lewiston.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in her name to: Calam Shrine Transportation Fund, Shriners Children’s Hospital Spokane; The Daughters of the Nile, P.O. Box 97, Nezperce, ID 83543, for the children of the Shriners Hospital; or to a charity of your choice.
