Omega Mae Solterbeck

Omega Mae Solterbeck, was born April 27, 1927, in Puyallup, Washington, to Levi and Minnie Fulbright. Mae attended twelve years of school in Payette, graduating high school in 1945. She married Ward Solterbeck on October 14, 1945, after he completed his tour of duty with the Army Air Force in World War II. She worked for the war department for two high school summers at the Umatilla Ordnance Depot during World War II. She also worked as a secretary for Keith Anderson Insurance while completing high school. Working s a school lunch cook for thirteen years for the Payette School District was a joy, developing friendships with many of the students and school staff over the years.

Mae was an elementary school room mother for twenty years. She was also a member of Payette First Baptist Church, and SOLO, Single Older Lovable Ones, as a widow. She taught many years of Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Vacation Bible School.

Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Ward, oldest son Ron, grandson Sam, her parents, one brother, and three sisters. She is survived by son Norm and his wife Janet, daughter Karen (Levett) and her husband Ian, son Dean and his wife Vicky, son Dale and his wife Ampi, daughter Rainey (Peterson), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, all a joy to her.

Mae traveled quite extensively, including Yemen, Israel, Jordan, Italy, and England, as well as many places in the United States. She loved fixing meals for family and friends and making crafts. Music was also a very important part of her life. She sang in her high school and church choirs, and played the accordion by ear.

Mae was a beautiful example of a woman of God, holding strong to her faith to the end. She fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. She coined the phrase “Keep your happy thoughts!” referring to her favorite bible verse, Philippians 4:8. Her life was defined by her faith and her faith was evident by her life.

Graveside Service:
Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Riverside Cemetery
1969 River Road
Payette, ID 83661