Muriel Stamps, 73

At 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Muriel Stamps took her last breath with her brother, Douglas, at her side. In her last couple of days she was surrounded by her children, Kurt and Tina, Amy and Curtis, and her grandchildren, Alex True and Mason Frew. She was also surrounded by her beloved friends.

Muriel was taken after her 2 ½ year battle with cancer. Throughout the treatments she never lost her since of style and her love of social events. During her own illness she cared for her husband, Bill Stamps, with his poor health until his recent death in September. We are thankful for the support and loving prayers of her friends and family, excellent medical care, and to God for those last precious years.

It was a winter's day in Blackfoot, Idaho when Clifford and Eda Swanson welcomed their first child into the world. Muriel was born on January 22, 1940 and was later joined by her sisters Glendalynn and Eunicia (now deceased), and her brother Douglas. Muriel grew up in Martinez, California. She and Bill went to Junior High and High School together where she fell in love with him. During high school she worked for Breed's Jewelers. Muriel attended the University of California at Berkley and graduated in elementary education. After graduation she and Bill were married on August 25, 1961. They lived in Idaho Falls where they were blessed with their children, Kurt and Amy. They moved to Post Falls in 1970 where they stayed until moving to Hayden in 1986 and built a home on Avondale Lake.

As a life-long learner, Muriel enjoyed several different careers. She taught elementary school in Idaho Falls, and when they moved to Post Falls she operated a pre-school. Her interest in homes and real estate led her to become a real estate agent. Muriel's ability to work with and enjoy people served her well in the positions that she held with the Juvenile Diversion Program and as the local director of the Heart Association. She also was co-owner and operator in Mrs. Powell's Cinnamon Rolls, but she loved her last career the best. She spent 8 years as an elementary school counselor at Hayden Meadows before her retirement.

Our community has been enriched by Muriel's service to her many beloved organizations and projects. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women, Gourmet Group, Birthday Boys, Mustard Seeds, Hayden Meadows Book and Investment Group, and P.E.O. Chapter CL just to name a few. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Coeur d'Alene where she served as an elder, past chairman of the membership committee, and a Christ Care group leader.

Travel was important to Muriel and she took many wonderful trips with great friends. Those who did not go on the trip with her could look forward to hearing very entertaining stories and memories of the trips. In the early years the family took wonderful family vacations with good friends to places where the men would fish and the women would be stuck with the kids for hours. Later Muriel went with her

lady friends all over the world. She made jam from the berries that she grew and a gift of Muriel's jam was a special treat. Muriel was courageous and faithful beyond what words can say. She will be so dearly missed by all of those who were touched by her zest for life.

Her memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. A reception will follow at the church. The family prefers memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, the American Heart Association, 140 S. Arthur, Suite 610, Spokane, WA 99202 or Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government way, Hayden, ID 83835. You may visit Muriel’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com