Anna Lucy Beito, 96
Anna Lucy Beito died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at her home in Coeur d’Alene following a short illness. She was 96 years old.
Annie, as she was known to her friends, was born to George and Bessie Rushing Roth on March 11, 1917, at the family homestead at Twin Lakes, Idaho. She was the sixth of 14 children, 10 of them girls.
She graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1938. She worked as a waitress and cook's assistant around the Northwest, always making sure she had enough money in her pocket for a bus ticket home.
During World War II she was an airplane mechanic at McChord Field in Tacoma, Wash. After the war, she married Elvin A. “Toe” Beito and settled in Spirit Lake. They added two daughters to the baby boomer generation – Alea Karleen in 1946 and Kristena Kay in 1948.
Annie was an avid gardener and very active in the community. She was room mother for her daughter’s school classes and a leader for the Blue Birds. She was a founding member of the North Idaho Mycological Association, as well as the national mushroom club. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Community Club, raising funds for the local library through rummage sales – one of her passions.
Toe died in 1971. Annie finally moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1984. She purchased a duplex and lived on one side while Alea lived on the other.
Annie was proceeded in death by her husband “Toe,” daughter Kristena, all her siblings, and all her in-laws, save one – she was “the last leaf on the tree.” She is survived by daughter Alea Beito and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are being handled by English Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to River City Hospice, 3726 E Mullan Ave, Post Falls, ID 83854.
A simple graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Greenwood Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Small bouquets of spring flowers from your yard for the cemetery would be welcome. Following the graveside service there will be a remembrance open-house held at Annie’s home, 407 North 21st Street, Coeur d'Alene, starting at 2 p.m.
You may visit Anna's online memorial and sign her guest book at englishfuneralchapel.com.