Douglas Rochester Obituary

Douglas "Doug" Allen Rochester, age 76, a 46-year resident of the Colville, WA area, passed away on May 15, 2025, at his daughter's home in Valley, WA. Doug was born on Sept. 28, 1948, in Wayne, Nebraska, the son of Edwin Liston and Ramona Darlene (Christiansen) Rochester.
Douglas moved with his family from Nebraska to Olivehurst, CA. There he attended both grade school and middle school. Doug attended high school in Marysville, CA and graduated in 1966. On December 24, 1966, he married Katherine Virginia Sadewasser in Yuba City, CA. They settled into Los Angeles for a time and began a family. Doug worked for the Telephone Company in Los Angeles, CA until 1968 when they returned to Yuba City, CA and Doug attended the University of Sacramento and graduated in 1971 with his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He earned his California Teachers accreditation in 1972. They moved to Oregon City, OR for a short time before returning a final time to California and resided in Santa Rosa, CA where Doug drove for Redstar. In 1979, they again moved north, this time to Washington, where they began building their home near Colville, WA. Doug worked for the Stevens County Conservation District and created resource documentation for the schools. He would eventually transfer to the Conservation Service where he finished his career as a civil engineering technician. He assisted in drafting numerous conservation projects, land development and farmland adjustments. He also substitute taught in both the Colville and Kettle Falls School districts in 1988. Doug retired for the first time in 2016 and then returned to the conservation district as a consultant for quite some time.
Doug called himself a "professional driver." If his children or grandchildren had an event, he was the proud provider of transportation. He and Kathy, rarely, if ever, missed an athletic event, dance recital, graduation, etc., of their family members, no matter the distance he drove. As their family grew and moved away, their trips didn't cease, they just grew longer. He also enjoyed fishing the lakes and streams in the local area when he had the opportunity. He was constantly in some phase of remodel on their family home and always took life with a lighthearted and jovial approach. He would often reach for his guitar and begin singing and playing songs with his kids, especially when the power went out to make it fun. He also loved to make up bedtime stories for his children that would put smiles on their faces and make them laugh. Doug wrote poetry, always had a song on his lips and had the strength of a mountain man. His children simply said, "we were blessed with perfect parents."
Doug was preceded in death by a brother, Kenny Rochester and his parents.
Doug is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Kathy Rochester of Colville, WA; five daughters, Michelle Pehl (Steve Finkbeiner) of Camillus, NY, Laura Rindlisbacher (Kenny) of Valley, WA, Amy Anderson (Brian) of Provo, UT, Celeste Hillbrant (James) of Colville, WA; Melinda Shaw (Marty) of Kettle Falls, WA: one son, Joshua Rochester (Rozlyn) of Colville, WA; 32 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; brother, Roger Rochester (Millie) of Oregon; sister, Cathy Bustamonte of Barstow, CA; and a host of extended family and friends.
The funeral service for Douglas "Doug" Allen Rochester will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Colville, WA. A graveside service and vault interment will follow at the Valley Cemetery in Valley, WA. Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of your choice. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.