Alice Grannis, 63

Alice M. Grannis was called home to glory Nov. 7, 2014. She was born Nov. 29, 1950, to Richard and Ruth Merriman in Norfolk, Neb. She met and married her husband Mark Grannis at North Idaho College in 1972, and they went on to be blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.

To say Alice was busy in life is a gross understatement. As a member of several churches over the years, she was frequently involved in music and children's programs. Many of the relationships she and Mark established through church lasted decades and continue today.

She homeschooled three of their children, and successfully lobbied the state legislature to pass laws protecting the rights of parents to do so. She also helped found an organization to promote homeschooling opportunities in the area. She later became a small business owner, operating a Christian bookstore as a ministry to provide Christian materials to the community, without drawing a paycheck. Later she would resume teaching when she began homeschooling four of her grandchildren.

Throughout her life she was a member of the P.E.O., a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing continuing education opportunities for women. She and Mark also worked on the juvenile diversion board seeking alternatives to jail and fines for young offenders.

A natural intellectual, Alice was a voracious reader and skilled debater. She was ferocious in standing up for her beliefs, but gentle in dealing with those in need. Generous with her love, time and resources, once she made up her mind that someone needed help she was a force of nature that could rarely be deterred. She held people to high standards but readily forgave their failures. Possessing unshakable faith and unsurpassed peace, she spoke often of her desire and expectation to be called to heaven and be with God. She was fearless in her approach to life, and worked hard at living each day like it could be the last.

Alice was preceded in death by her father, Richard Merriman. She is survived by her mother, Ruth Merriman; her brother, Robert Merriman (Lori); her husband, Mark Grannis; her daughters, Heather Evans (Alan) and Meagan Hollingsworth (Brandon); her sons, Greg Grannis (Ashley) and Jeff Grannis (Melissa); and nine grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene, with Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, in care of the arrangements. Burial was at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Union Gospel Mission's Center for Women and Children, the P.E.O. Intl. Program for Continuing Education Fund or the Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Please visit Alice's online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhome.com.