Doris Helen Arendt, 82

Doris Helen Arendt of Hayden, Idaho passed away on November 25, 2013 at Kootenai Medical Center after a brief illness, with family by her side. She was born on January 6, 1931 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to William Martin Brown and Mattiebelle (Watkins) Brown. She was married on June 25, 1949 to Will “Elmer” Arendt in Vinton, Iowa.

She was proud of her Choctaw heritage and was thrilled when she was able to prove her lineage and trace her roots back to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. She was interested in genealogy, and was able to verify that she was related to numerous Revolutionary War  ancestors as well as several United States Presidents (John Tyler, James Madison, George Washington and Zachary Taylor). She was a member of the Irvine Ranch Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She was proud to be called “Bubbie” by her grandkids and great-grandkids. She made many beautiful quilts, all by hand for her many family members. Most recently she repaired some pretty worn quilts she had made for a couple of granddaughters that had 20 years of enjoyment on them.

She and Elmer enjoyed traveling after their retirement throughout the United States and Canada in their fifth wheel. They loved visiting movie locations, with their favorite being Port Townsend, WA where 'An Officer and a Gentleman' was filmed. They lived there for some time. She would cook and sew while Elmer fished. She also collected cookbooks along the way and found a new hobby trying recipes that she found on Pinterest.

She also stayed up to date with family via Instagram.

She was the Rock of the family and Loved very much. Her passing has left a piece missing from a great family puzzle. 

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Elmer Arendt, and their children and spouses, Wayne Arendt (Shirley), Phil Arendt (Sandy), Diana Monie (Tom) and Laura Hunter, as well as her nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

A celebration of life will be held at the home of Elmer and Doris on Dec. 14th at 1 p.m. Donations can be made to the Coeur d’Alene Women’s Shelter, in her name, in lieu of flowers.