Patricia "Patsy" Walker, 84

Patricia "Patsy" Walker of Medimont, Idaho, passed away on April 26, 2015, of natural causes.

Patsy was born June 27, 1930, in Wallace, Idaho, the youngest daughter of Isaiah and Mary Payne Harlan. She lived her entire life in the Medimont area overlooking Medicine Lake.

Patsy's grade school years were spent at Lone, Pleasant Hill and Cave Lake schools. She graduated from Rose Lake High School with the class of 1948. After graduation she married Charles "Lee" Walker in December 1948. During 52 years of marriage the couple raised two children, two grandchildren, and Charles' youngest sister.

Professionally, Patsy graduated as an LPN, a job she worked when her children were younger as she could adjust her hours around school and extracurricular activities. Her second career was as a licensed medical records librarian. She primarily worked in the Silver Valley, but also had a short stint at the nursing home in St. Maries. Her final career path was as a nursing home administrator in Kellogg. This job epitomized what Patsy was put on this earth to accomplish. She loved older patients and all the challenges end of life care can present. She retired in 1992 to become a full-time caregiver to her husband in his later years.

Patsy had an iron will, keen mind and caring spirit. She improved her community through volunteering as a Camp Fire Girls, Rainbow Girls and 4H leader, and devoted much time to her church and local grange. She also was active in Pomona and State Grange. She delighted in the simple pleasures of tending a field, watching the young family members play sports, and crocheting in her rocking chair. She was a talented artist whether the medium was painting or working with material. Her flower and vegetable gardens were a sense of pride that she inherited from her mother. Patsy was the longtime head of our family as her siblings both passed in 1958, a void that was always present in her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; parents Isaiah and Mary Harlan; brother James Harlan (Flora Mae), and sister Florence Harlan.

Patsy is survived by her daughter, Margaret Yuhas (David) of Florence, Mont., son James Walker of Coeur d'Alene; grandson Leland Walker (Kayleen) of Harrison, granddaughters Laura Chess (Brian) of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Megan Blodgett (Greg) of Florence, Mont., and Katelin Yuhas of Spokane, Wash. Out of these unions there are 5 3/4 great-grandchildren (we are awaiting number 6!). Special nieces Mary Murray (Jerry) of Mullan and Jeannine Boyer (Gary) of Coeur d'Alene; first cousin Shirley Harlan of Idaho Falls; in-laws Barbara and George Gaylord; as well as a slew of nieces, nephews and their children.

Special thanks go to Kriste and Tom Maitland, Bev and Floyd Klein, Dorothy and Larry Donohoe, and all the many, many dear friends that a lifetime of living in one place cultivates.

Mom lived her life honoring God, nurturing her family, and enriching her community. We are all better for having known and loved her.

Memorial services will be later this summer at Medicine Mountain Grange, Medimont.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements were handled by Whitesitt Funeral Home, Stevensville, Mont. Mom and Dad will be interred at the family graves in St. Maries.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.