Obituaries for December 31, 2009

Opal Claire Fezatt, 71, Weippe

   Opal Claire Fezatt, Weippe, (preferably known as “Claire”) passed away Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA. She was 71.

   She was born in Lewiston on Oct. 28, 1938 to Everett and Ruth Dodd, who both preceded her in death.

   Claire was married Oct. 20, 1959 to Peter W. Fezatt, who survives her at their home in Weippe. She is also survived by her three daughters, Christy Brinker, Nicky North and Robin Beller; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

   After growing up in the Fraser area of Weippe where she learned to operate many kinds of farm equipment, she went on to become a school bus driver in the Grangemont area for a number of years. Following that, she spent time with her husband trapping in the wintertime, mostly in California.

   After returning to the Weippe area permanently, she worked for SCAT as transport driver in the Weippe area for many years where she was well-known for having a perfect driving record. She was very proud of never having any traffic violations!

   She was also very active in the Weippe Senior Center until health reasons forced her into retirement and she became somewhat homebound. Claire had many interests and talents. One of her pride and joys was to lovingly clean and repair pre-loved toys, and then distribute them to the local police department and Clearwater Valley Hospital so they could help soothe scared or ill children in their time of distress.

   She also loved to knit and crochet, and many a person was on the benefiting end of her creations.

   No formal services will be held, instead, an informal memorial potluck will be held Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Weippe Senior Center.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society or to local animal shelters.

Judy Anderson Spelde, 66, Coeur d’Alene

   Judy Kathleen (Anderson) Spelde, Coeur d’Alene, died the morning of Dec. 22, 2009 at Kootenai Medical Center after an extended illness. She was 66.

   She was born March 20, 1943 in Grand Marais, MN to Alma (Linnell) Anderson and J. Oliver Anderson. Judy was the youngest of eight children. She grew up in Grand Marais and graduated from Cook County High School.

   Judy married Mel Spelde Sept. 4, 1965 in Grand Marais. They had one daughter, Jennifer in 1973. She and Mel later divorced.

   She was a stay-at-home mom to Jennifer for many years. During that time, she also worked as a color consultant for Beauty for All Seasons and a bookkeeper for Empire Airlines. She later went to work full-time at Empire Airlines in the human resources department. Judy retired in 2003.

   Judy lived in Grand Marais; Duluth, MN; Thunder Bay, Canada; Minneapolis, MN and Orofino, before she moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1981. She spent most of her life in Coeur d’Alene where she was very involved at Trinity Lutheran Church.

   She loved to travel, enjoyed crafts of all sorts, and had become an accomplished quilter. Judy liked to be busy and volunteered much of her time sharing her many talents with the church, Coeur d’Alene Homes Auxiliary’s Trading Post and CASA.

   She is survived by her brother Don (Lyn) Anderson, Orofino; daughter Jennifer (Derek) Orkney, Seattle, WA; nieces Susan Shaffer, Pamela Ponting, Doris Ann Lamoureux; nephews, Craig and Jim Sturm, Arthur, David, Tim, Jon, Ron and Dan Anderson, and Jim Swanson. She has a number of great nieces and nephews. Also surviving her are sister-in-laws, Gladys and Ruby Anderson.

   A memorial service was held Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene. Her wishes were to be buried in Grand Marais at the Maple Hill Cemetery along with her parents and brothers and sisters that preceded her in death.

    In lieu of flowers, Judy requested that memorials be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church Bell Choir.

Lester Eugene Alden, 81, former resident

   Lester Eugene Alden of Boise, formerly of Orofino, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 of pancreatic cancer at his Boise home. He was 81.

   A graveside service will be held in Orofino in the spring of 2010.

Ramona E. Phillips, 88, Lewiston

   Ramona “Peggy” Ethel Phillips, Lewiston, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at Clearwater Valley Hospital at the age of 88.

   Peggy was born June 29, 1921 in St. Maries, to Kalfra and Myrtle Wolfe. She was the youngest of four children.

   Peggy married Howard Phillips Nov. 25, 1938. They lived in Emida for a time, and then moved to Kellogg. In 1943, they moved to Orofino and then on to Pierce in 1944, and finally back to Orofino where they lived until 1995. While Howard worked as a logger, Peggy stayed home and raised their five children.

   Peggy loved to read, go metal detecting and play bingo. In the 70’s she helped her husband and her daughter, Nancy operate a ceramic shop and then later a rock shop in Orofino.

   Peggy and Howard moved to Lewiston in 1995. She lost her husband of 67 years in October of 2006.

   Peggy is survived by her children, daughters Barbie (Mark) Deyo and Lorraine (Lyle) Kidder, all of Orofino and Nancy (Larry) Wunderlich of Lewiston, sons Bill Phillips of Orofino and Rene (Karen) Phillips of Boise, 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.

   Peggy was preceded in death by her father, Kalfra Wolfe, her mother, Myrtle Wolfe, her brothers, Stanley and Bill, and her sister, Javernia Bergman.

   Cremation has taken place and a family gathering will be held at a later date. Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is in care of arrangements.