Eileen Rose Yates, 94
Eileen Rose Yates, 94, of Hayden, Idaho, died Jan. 4, 2015, at Wellspring Meadows.
Eileen was born March 22, 1920, in Selby, S.D., to Jacob and Lydia Schanzenbach. She grew up in South Dakota and moved with her family to Wapato, Wash., during the depression. Eileen graduated from Wapato High School where she was nicknamed "The Songbird" and worked her way through nursing school at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima, Wash.
Eileen married Gilbert Yates on May 10, 1942, in Wapato. During World War II, Eileen worked as a surgical nurse at Providence Hospital in Seattle, while Gilbert served overseas with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. At the end of the war they made their home in Coeur d'Alene, and together founded the Yates Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. As a registered nurse, Eileen was very helpful with the ambulance service. She also worked part time for Dr. Hughes and volunteered her nursing skills for school district No. 271, the Camp Fire Girls camp and church camp.
Eileen's greatest passion was music. As a young child she sang in a German Congregational Church choir directed by her father and accompanied by her older sister. She joined the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene in 1945 and sang soprano in the choir for more than 40 years. Eileen also taught Sunday school and was active in the Women's Association. She was active in Eastern Star, Job's Daughters, Daughters of the Nile and Lady Lions. As a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter BF, Eileen was the longest living member of her chapter. After her children were raised, Eileen developed an interest in golf and became a member of the Coeur d'Alene Public Golf Club and the Hayden Lake Country Club.
Eileen will truly be remembered as a faithful servant, volunteering for numerous worthwhile causes, and working tirelessly behind the scenes for her family, church and community. She was part of the "Greatest Generation" whose life made a difference.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her six brothers and two sisters; and her husband, Gilbert, in 2008. She is survived by her son, Dexter Yates (Karen) of Hayden; daughters Patty Rodriguez (Rico) of Post Falls, Idaho, and Pam Cromer of Spokane, Wash.; grandchildren Jeff Yates (Jen) of Coeur d'Alene, Eli Yates (Ingrid) of Hayden, Matt Ziegler of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ben Ziegler (Kim) of Coeur d'Alene, Paul Ziegler of Walnut Creek, Calif., Katie Ziegler of Coeur d'Alene, Anthony Rodriguez (Raenel) of Post Falls, Richard Rodriguez (Elizabeth) of Spokane and Taliea Harrell (William) of Sacramento, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d'Alene. A reception will follow the service at the church. Burial will be at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank the staff at Wellspring Meadows for the love and care their mother received.
Memorial contributions in Eileen's name may be made to North Idaho College Foundation, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 for the Yates Family Nursing Scholarship Fund. Please visit Eileen's online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.