Scheila Mae Hepfer Wise, 68 of Oroville, Washington, passed away
on October 25, 2016. Mom was born January 10, 1948 in Wenatchee, Washington, to Dale and Margret Hepfer.
Mom grew up on a remote homestead in Navarre Coulee near, Chelan, Wa. As a school girl, she rode her horse bareback to the road where the school bus picked her up, along with her brother Larry. From an early age, Mom and Larry helped her industrious parents at the ranch, raising animals and growing fruits & vegetables for their own use. Her Grandpa Pete taught her how to fish and it stuck. Mom loved fishing and spent many hours luring fish to shore. Grandpa Pete was also instrumental in teaching her survival skills with his inventive examples – He may very well have influenced her into becoming a regular female "MacGyver".
After marrying Robert Verellen, her first job was at J.C. Penney in Chelan. Recognizing her talent, the window dresser trained her and she began dressing store windows, a job she loved. After the young couple's first born wound up in Seattle Children's Hospital, the Chelan J.C. Penney sent a box of clothes for mother and daughter and a photographer to make sure the family would have a photograph of the very ill infant. Inspired by the care her daughter received, Mom became a lifelong supporter of the March of dimes. Robert (second child) was born while the family resided in Michigan, where she helped her first husband run a gas station. Her heart, though, was always in Washington State and she returned to her home state where her younger children, Brent and Amy, were born.
Mom had a quick wit, a way with practical jokes, loathed BINGO, loved TV shows and mystery novels (and would get ticked off to know she's missing the latest John Grisham novel). She was also an aspiring children's book writer, possibly inspired by the family's hilarious food fights at home, sledding down the local hills in the winter and playing Supermarket sweep with grandchildren. Mom had a playful side that she shared with her grandkids and friends, also sharing her love of animals, rodeos, demolition derbies, fishing, camping, horseback riding…The list goes on and on.
Mom was an angel to strangers in need, supplying coats for kids, food for the hungry, water & lunches for firefighters, delivering food to seniors, blankets for winter…again, the list goes on. Mom's first calling was volunteering for the Red Cross. She took her position very seriously and made great efforts to get others involved. She also volunteered for the Oroville Food Bank for many years, always getting there early to help unload the truck and distribute food.
Mom had a special place in her heart for all of her grandkids, but one maybe a little more than others. Haily was the last child Mom raised and she did a fine job with this little girl. She shared all of her life skills, love and understanding, her common sense, her compassion for others and all the love she had in her heart with Haily, who remained by her side until she passed.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents "Pete" & Margret Hepfer, her infant son Michael, and her significant other for many years, Lloyd Marchant. She is survived by her little brother Larry, her children Stephanie, Rob, Brent and Amy, her 11 grandchildren and her great grandson Kameron.
There will be a private family burial and a gathering of family and friends to be held at a later date.
Anyone interested in making a donation or contribution in memory of Mom, may do so to the Oroville Food Bank and/or the American Red Cross.
"In your life you touched many; in your death many lives were changed".
Rest in Peace Mom, we'll see you again someday.

Bergh Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of Arrangements