Barbara Mahlum Caspersen, 76

Barbara Mahlum Caspersen 76 of Coeur d'Alene died Oct 15, 2014 after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. Her loving son Kevin Caspersen was at her bedside. Barb was born with her twin sister in Big Timber MT in 1938 to their parents Sig and Anne (Nelson) Mahlum. Sig worked for Mclaughlin Construction in Livingston MT and they traveled with the construction job's to Pocatello, ID, Bend and Redmond, OR and Fort Peck, MT. Their brother Daniel (Fran) Mahlum was born in Livingston MT in 1942 and brother Ronald (Trena) Mahlum was born in Bend OR in 1945. They settled in Livingston when the boys started school. Sig built a concrete house at 511 South 11th in Livingston. Sister Beverly and her husband Gary George now live in that home.

Barbara married George William Hoops in 1958. The pride of her life was her son Kevin. Kevin was born in Livingston, MT in 1959. Bill Hoops and Barb were divorced. Barbara Worked for the telephone companies in Livingston and Helena, MT as well as Woodland and San Jose, CA. She married Knud Caspersen in Woodland and he adopted Kevin. They were divorced.

After retiring from the telephone Company Barb bought a beautiful home in Coeur d'Alene ID. She had always wanted to live there and was very happy when her son Kevin was able to move in with her. The many years of poor health had taken a toll on her. She survived Breast Cancer twice and a broken hip and heart problems. She had a pace maker and a valve replacement then Congestive heart failure. She recently broke her other hip and was in a convalescent Care home for the past few weeks. Her heart failed and she passed away in the hospital. She was so thankful for the help Kevin had always been to her.

She loved being around family. Her brother Dan has 5 great grand children that Barb loved being around. She was a fighter and never gave up. She is at peace at last and has fought the good fight. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ronald Mahlum and life long friend Harley Bent. She was dearly loved and her funny stories will be told for years to come by her great grand nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held at Yates Funeral Home Hayden Chapel on October 31, 2014 at 12:00-1:30 pm followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm at Coeur d' Alene Memorial Gardens. All funeral arrangements have been entrusted with Yates Funeral Home.