Cheryel Marie Thostenson, 72

Cheryel Marie Thostenson, 72, longtime St. Maries resident, died March 11, 2011, in St. Maries. She was born Feb. 21, 1939, to Lawrence and Arvella (Hamilton) Frost in Coeur d'Alene.

She grew up in Coeur d'Alene and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School with the class of 1957. She attended NIJC for a short time where she sang in the choir like she enjoyed when she was in high school.

She married Charles Thostenson on Aug. 31, 1958, in Coeur d'Alene. They made their home in St. Maries. She was a homemaker all her life. Her husband died in 1995. She was a member of the St. Maries Ladies of Elks. She was an avid reader and enjoyed camping. She also enjoyed watching her favorite soap opera "Days of our Lives." She enjoyed going for car rides and watching Lawrence Welk on Television.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Mike Dymkoski of Palouse, Wash., Cherie and Kurt McCall of Troy and daughter Debbie Yearout of Coeur d'Alene. Also surviving are her stepdaughter and husband, Wendy and Richard Wilks of Coeur d'Alene. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Katie and George Sayler of Coeur d'Alene. Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2011, at Hodge Funeral Home , St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends will follow services at the St. Maries Elks Lodge.

The family suggests memorials to the St. Maries Cross Light Fund. Visit her online memorial and sign her guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com.