Esther J. Everett (Baldwin), 87

Esther Jean Everett (Baldwin) passed on at Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene on the afternoon of June 5, 2011. She was born in Wallace to Omie and Doris Solum on Dec. 9, 1923.

Esther was preceeded in death by her parents; two brothers, Harris and Walter; son David Everett and grandson Shannon Sheppard.

She is survived by her son, Richard Everett; two daughters, Linda O'Reilly and Barbara Bjorkquist; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Some of Esther's fondest memories stem from her childhood growing up on the "homestead" on the Little North Fork River. She attended high school in Wallace and often stayed with her grandparents during that period at the Solum Canyon Creek Dairy.

Esther met Jerry Everett and married on Feb. 23, 1946. They started their family in Wallace and later moved to Silverton in 1957 where they lived until the late 1970s. She then moved to Hauser Lake until 1990 and from there to Post Falls and resided in the Loyalton of Coeur d'Alene since January 2009.

Many of the local Valley residents came to know Esther from her working days at Britts grocery store in Osburn which later became Stein's Garden Spot IGA. She developed many hobbies over the years including dancing, skiing, painting, reading, bicycling, swimming and card playing (bridge being her favorite by far).

Esther's belief and faith in the Lord throughout the years has always played an important part in her life.

Her love for her family and friends was unsurpassed. Esther always had a real zest for life and tried to live it to the fullest. We are all better off for having known her and she will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 408 Cedar St., Wallace.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Esther's name to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or at their website www.honi.org.