Agnes Mae Brueher Thompson, 90

Funeral Mass for Agnes Mae Brueher Thompson, 90, will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Salmon, with a viewing in the church prior at 11 a.m. Rev. Chase Hasenoehrl of Salmon is officiating.

Mrs. Thompson died Feb. 1, 2013, in Salmon. She was born April 19, 1922, in Coeur d’Alene, the fourth child of Aloysius (Louis) John Brueher and Agnes Isabelle Kelly.

Agnes received her Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. Agnes played the violin in the school orchestra. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School where she fell in love with James Howard Thompson, born in Somers Mont. They married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, May 5, 1943, just before he departed for England, serving in the U.S. Army from November 1942 to October 1945 during World War II. One of their favorite songs was Rose of San Antone. She was very proud of her Irish and Austrian heritage with her maternal grandfather William Kelly immigrating from Ireland and grandmother Delana LaClair from Canada. Her paternal grandfather Anton Prueher (a tailor) came from Vienna, Austria (Bohemia). The Prueher name was changed to Brueher after the immigration.

While waiting for Howard’s return to Idaho, she took classes at North Idaho College when it was located above the police station downtown. Agnes worked for the Interlake Transportation Company and WPA (Work Progress Administration) during the war. When Howard returned to Coeur d’Alene, they bought a little house and began a family. Kay Ann was born in 1946, with Patricia Agnes (Pat) arriving in 1947 and along came James Howard Jr. (Jim) in 1948. They attended St. Thomas Academy. Lawrence Edward (Larry) was born in 1953. In 1957 the family moved to Salmon where Howard joined the BLM.

Agnes was a devout Roman Catholic who discovered that Howard was secretly baptized Catholic as a baby in Kalispell, Mont. When they applied for a marriage license and a request was made for baptismal certificates, his mother confessed that she had secretly had her children baptized as her Lutheran husband opposed it. Agnes devoted her life to her family and church. Quilting and oil painting were her hobbies and she did beautiful work. She loved to can their garden produce and was an excellent homemaker. She was very active in the St. Charles Altar Society, holding offices including president. She was a member of the Piece maker’s quilters and the Salmon Garden Club. Agnes also had been a member of the BPOE Elks Auxiliary and was employed at M.H. King Co., Dr. Franklyn’s Optometry Office and became a CNA and worked at Casabello Estates. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

Survivors include two sons, Jim (Kay) Thompson of Blackfoot and Larry (Karla)Thompson of Caldwell; two daughters, Kay (Edgar) Smith of Salmon and Pat (Steve) Kauer of Blackfoot; sister-in-law Loretta (Don) Brueher; 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Howard (Jim); two brothers, Rex and Donald Brueher; one sister, Marian Green and her grandson, Ryan Thompson. Pallbearers will be eight grandsons, Eric Smith, Kevin Smith, Steve Kauer, Ron Thompson, Jim Thompson, Jeff Thompson, Bill Thompson and Mike Thompson. Burial will be in the Salmon Cemetery.

The family suggests donations to the Salmon Senior Citizens Center, Box 200 Main St., or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Funeral services will be conducted by Jones & Casey Funeral Home.