Erna Rae Headrick, 85

Erna Headrick, 85, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away Oct. 6, 2015. Born in 1930 in Caldwell, Idaho, to Verlee and Buster Bush, she and her two younger brothers, Sonny (Jan), and Lloyd (Val, both deceased) grew up in central Oregon on a farm. She graduated from high school in Nyssa, Ore., in 1949, then married Everett Headrick in 1955 and found herself, a “country girl,” suddenly a foreign service wife, creating a home for her family in Libya, Nigeria, Congo, Virginia, Pakistan and the Philippines before retiring in Hayden.

Always one for adventure, she loved to travel, meet new people, learn about new cultures and their customs. Though diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she and Everett continued to RV into 2015. Her interests ranged from needlework and painting to rock hounding to politics to philosophy.

She faced her diagnoses of Alzheimer’s as she did most things in life, boldly and bravely. Alzheimer’s had already taken her youngest brother and other relatives from her. She understood the diagnosis and rather than hide it, she openly talked with others about it and actively participated in the local Alzheimer’s support group. To the end, she gave us the gifts of her love, her humor, and her beautiful, warm smile.

She is survived by her husband, Everett, with whom she celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 12, 2015; and by her three daughters, Susan Gordon (Chris), Jennifer Legate (Duncan) and Trina Taylor (Ron); and her four grandchildren, Kevin, Karen, Alex and Andrea. We would like to thank the staff at Life Care Center, Coeur d’Alene, and at North Idaho Hospice, Coeur d’Alene, for the love and comfort they gave her in her final month.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. Memorials may be made in Erna’s name if wished, to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor — http://bit.ly/1N242zF. Please visit Erna’s online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.