Laura Wilkins, 89

Laura Mae Lewis Wilkins passed on Nov. 15, 2015. She was born Feb. 17, 1926, in Havre, Mont., and moved to Coram, Mont., in 1937. Laura married Richard (Dick) Wilkins in 1954 and Dick died in 1986. Laura had four siblings, three of which preceded Laura in death; Harold, Geri and Sylvia.

Laura is survived by her sister, Dodie Ridenour; her daughters, Melody Inman of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Cheryl Nutter of Post Falls, Idaho; stepdaughter Peggy Peterson of Tullahoma, Tenn., and her four daughters; six grandchildren, Brian Knox, Rita Becker, Eric Knox, Steven Nutter, Stacey Yeager and Kassy Baugher; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Laura also helped her longtime friend, Patti, raise her son, Chad, whom she loved. Chad, wife Chris and his five children called her Grandma.

While in Coram, Laura was an active member in the church and continued lifelong friendships with numerous people in the Canyon Community. Laura helped Patti run the Knotty Pine Cafe where she cooked and waited tables for more than 35 years. Laura was a beloved member of Dalton Gardens Church of Christ since her move to Coeur d’Alene in 1999. Pinochle was her passion and she had many dear friends that she played with.

Laura was a feisty, outspoken and a colorful woman with a lasting zest for life and love of God, family and friends. She will be missed by all. Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, at the Church of Christ, 6439 N. Fourth St., Dalton Gardens, with Yates Funeral Homes in care of the arrangements. Please visit Laura’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.