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Ilene Charron, 86

Ilene Charron, a resident at the Renaissance of Coeur d’Alene, died on May 1, 2017, from a serious fall at the age of 86 years old, surrounded by her family who loved her. Ilene was born in Macksville, Kan., on July 23, 1930.

She came from a heritage of the Midwestern pioneer spirit. Her grandmother traveled as a small child from Chicago to Kansas in a covered wagon. Initially, the family homesteaded in a sod house and then ordered their farm home from a Sears Roebuck catalog which stands today. She grew up in that small town earning money by cleaning houses to buy sheet music and was an accomplished pianist. Those dexterity skills helped her become the fastest typist in Macksville — a record she still holds today.

Ilene attended Wichita St. Joseph School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. Her two daughters followed her and graduated from the same program and director (Jennie in 1974) and (Debra in 1975). She started a legacy as her granddaughters also entered the health care field: Kate is a doctor, Steph a nurse practitioner, Erin a psychologist and Emily studying to become a nurse.

Her life changed dramatically when she met a young Airman, Louis John Charron (Murph) and they married soon after. It began an exciting life for the small town girl following Murph from base to base. She developed lifelong friends from her military experiences. However, her greatest loss was the sudden, unexpected, death of her beloved husband when he was only 46 years old. Ilene never quite got over his death and did not date again.

She was an avid reader and loved to escape into a good book! Her other passions were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Jennie and her husband John (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho), Debra and her husband Lou (Atlanta, Ga.), John (Arizona/South Dakota), Mike and his wife Debbie (Chewelah, Wash.); nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She always asked about the babies and volunteered to help care for them.

Despite growing up in a challenging childhood during the Great Depression, Ilene became a talented nurse, was generous to a fault, had a delightful sense of humor, a bit of an Irish temper and loved the Lord. A verse that gave her comfort was:

…Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body…Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. — Matthew 6:25-26, 34.

Her family is greatly indebted to the staff who cared for her at the Renaissance of Coeur d’Alene and Hospice of North Idaho. Ilene was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rathdrum, Idaho. She loved visits from Pastor Bloom and receiving communion.

Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rathdrum.

Donations may be directed to: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 13541 W. Hwy. 53, Rathdrum, ID 83858, (208) 687-1809; or Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835, (208) 772-7994.

Please visit Ilene’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.