Alzada Fern "Lee" Cernaghan, 90
Alzada Fern "Lee" Cernaghan, 90, resident of Coeur d'Alene, passed away on Oct. 19, 2011.
Lee was born on Sept. 10, 1921, to Robert and Iona Schlaefli in Yankton, S.D. She was the oldest of eight children and spent her childhood in Yankton, graduating from Yankton High School.
On New Years Eve 1951, while living in Omaha, Neb., she met Archie Cernaghan at a party her roommates were hosting. On March 30, 1953, she and Archie married in Omaha. Archie was in the U.S. Army and so the couple moved around a lot, including time in Germany, Georgia, and El Paso, Texas, where Archie retired. Lee and Archie lived in El Paso for 35 years until moving to Coeur d'Alene 15 years ago.
Lee enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling, including many cross-country car trips with Archie. She was an artist and an excellent seamstress. Above all she loved her family.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Archie Cernaghan at home; 4 daughters: Caroll (Dale) Nesbit of Escondido, CA., Daphne Goodson of Coeur d'Alene, ID., Boots (John) Gordon of Avondale, AZ., and Roxanne Cernaghan of Coeur d'Alene, ID.; 10 grandchildren: Craig Nesbit, Chris Nesbit, Suzanne Hoke, Michael Goodson, Rina Staples, Jennifer Goodson, Jon Goodson, Scott Goodson, Terri Kobashi, and John Gordon, Jr.; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Cecelia Olsrud, and Donna Brandon; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Lee's life was held on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011.
Please sign Lee's guest registry & view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.