Lorrene May (Baxter) Messerly, 88

Lorrene May (Baxter) Messerly was born on July 4, 1925, in Donalda, Alberta, Canada, and passed away on Aug. 3, 2013, at Hospice House in Hayden.

Lorrene graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1940 and married James “Jim” Messerly in 1944. Together they were in the cattle business which included owning and operating stockyards in Coeur d’Alene and Colville, Wash. Lorrene’s life was dedicated to her husband, her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and especially her precious dogs. She was also the best cook this side of the Mississippi. In her younger years, she loved to go horseback riding with Jim and their friends in Colville, and they were the only couple in Colville that had a dance floor in their basement. She grew up with her brother in French Gulch on a dairy farm and liked to reminisce about her experiences on the farm. After Jim retired, they were “snow birds” and lived in Wickenberg, Ariz., during the winter months and made many, many close friends.

Lorrene is survived by her brother, Wayne Baxter; her three nieces, Pam Tippetts (Reid), Judy Baxter and Connie Arney; her two nephews, David Baxter and Mark Baxter (Patty); and two grandsons, Joe Messerly (Connie) and Curt Messerly (Sandy). She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; and her stepson, Leon.

At her request, there will be no service. There will, however, be a memorial celebrating her life from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at the Baxter residence in Coeur d’Alene. Donations may be made to the Kootenai Humane Society or Hospice House.