Verda Ione (Novak) Siebenthaler, 92
Verda passed away suddenly Sunday morning, Aug. 8, 2010, at the age of 92. She was born March 23, 1918, in Goldstone, Mont., and grew up there, and in Chester, Mont., graduating from high school at age 16.
She traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska, to play music for the Fur Rendezvous Celebration, and met and married John M. Siebenthaler on Oct. 18, 1939. Their daughter, Connie, was born July 30, 1943. The family lived in Fairbanks until 1952 when they moved to Coeur d'Alene where John worked at the Potlatch lumber mill until retirement. Verda was active in many social organizations and was a licensed "ham" radio operator. She was active in Civil Defense and Red Cross aid, with her amateur radio skills. She had many contacts the world over, which led to her hobby of collecting foreign dolls and only those made by the people native to each country. Many of the countries she had dolls from no longer even exist. She sold the collection a few years ago and with advancing age, also had to give up her "ham" operations. She received many rewards for her work in RSVP (retired senior volunteer program), playing her accordion and entertaining the elderly in various senior living establishments in and around Coeur d'Alene. She was also a longtime member of the Rebekkas, receiving pins and awards from this organization.
At an early age she showed a talent for making music, playing the piano. Her father bought her first accordion, which she learned to play and continued to play until she was almost 90 years old. She took lessons from several professionals and had an autographed picture of Myron Floren, the accordion player on the Lawrence Welk show. She played the accordion for many dances and entertainment ventures. In her late 80s when the accordion became too heavy for her frail frame, she switched to playing keyboard and continued to entertain others, playing regular venue at local senior citizen retirement homes.
She survived breast cancer, a malignant melanoma; a broken hip, wrist and ribs; several surgeries, and still maintained the home John built for his family, until she moved to a retirement apartment (Heritage) at age 89, where she celebrated her 90th birthday. Declining health led her to move into Country Comfort, an assisted living facility, this spring. No matter the hardship or setback, she always kept her optimistic attitude, and focused her life on helping others. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and was one of the most loving, kind, caring, generous ladies you would ever meet. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and regularly contributed her delicious recipes to their potlucks and dinners. She was a generous supporter of the Humane Society and contributed to many charities.
She and her daughter enjoyed entering things in the Kootenai County Fair for many years. Verda was an accomplished seamstress, passing that skill to her daughter. County fair entries, most of which were awarded blue ribbons, included canned fruits and vegetables, jams/jellies, pickles, candies, cakes, pies, clothing made for herself and family, and home décor items, among other items showcasing her many talents.
Verda is survived by her daughter in Yakima, Wash., Connie Hughes; grandson Darwin Hughes and two grandchildren, Miklos and Stephen Edward Hughes of Auburn, Wash. She is also survived by her sister, Vanelda Mellblom of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Verda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John who died in 1981; her parents; one brother, Victor and sisters Vivian, Valeria and Valencia.
She chose cremation and there will be no funeral services. The best way to remember her is to "pass it on," the kindness we are shown, to love one another in the best way possible and teach our children to love animals, nature and each other.