Darlene LaRae Thompson Gregg, 78

Darlene LaRae (Thompson) Gregg, 78, passed away Sept. 25, 2014, with her family by her side at Kootenai Health.

A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Darlene was born Aug. 27, 1936, in Missoula, Mont., the daughter of Wray and Edwina Thompson of Stevensville, Mont., where she grew up with her brother, Wayne.

Darlene moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1953, and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1955. That year, she met Frank Williams "Bill" Gregg Jr. of Post Falls at what was then the Dari-Delite on Sherman Avenue. Darlene married Bill on Aug. 10, 1956, and they went on to raise four children - Annette, Sue, Sherri and Bill.

Darlene was a USPS Rural Carrier covering Post Falls and the Rathdrum Prairie for more than 25 years. Along with that she worked for the school district twice, retiring as a "Lunch Lady" at Post Falls High School.

Darlene volunteered with the Lady Lions, the Eagles Club Sunday Brunch, and RV groups with whom she and Bill recreated. Darlene and Bill drove to Alaska in both their car and RV, where they spent summer months with family in Kenai, Alaska.

After Bill's death, Darlene got into crafting and made everything from clothing and blankets to greeting cards and gift bags; she enjoyed her monthly gatherings with the Stampin' Up group.

Darlene was a joy to be around. She had a great sense of humor and loved her family and the extended families that came with them. Loving and kindhearted, Darlene relished being a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and brother Wayne. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Annette Guenther, Sue Walker (Dave) and Sherri James (Lary), all of Coeur d'Alene, and Bill Gregg of Kenai; grandchildren Jessica, Jamie, Aaron, Tia, Christopher, Danielle, Kyle and Mackenzie; great-grandson Liam; and numerous nieces and nephews spread from Montana to Washington.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at the Post Falls Nazarene Church; reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in Darlene's memory to Heritage Health, 1090 N. Park Pl., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

The family would like to express our thanks for the 25-plus years of wonderful medical care from Dr. Larry Gibbon and staff. We would also like to thank Kootenai Health for their outstanding care in the last hours of mom's life.

Arrangements by English Funeral Chapel.