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Eileen Belle Fairfield Needham, 94

Eileen Belle Needham, 94, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died Dec. 4, 2018, at the Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House. She was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on Feb. 26, 1924, to Leonard and Neeta (Stevens) Fairfield. She lived with her family on Stoney Point and then, at 7 years of age, moved to Big Bear Ridge near Deary, Idaho, where her family farmed. She attended Pine Creek grade school near Kendrick, Idaho, and graduated from Kendrick High School in 1940. Eileen then attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Wash., from 1943 to 1944. Upon graduation she continued to work for Kinman until 1946, at which time she married Arthur C. Needham on Feb. 2, 1948, in her parents’ home on Big Bear Ridge. They lived in Spokane until moving to Coeur d’Alene in 1953, where Art continued working for Washington Water Power, which is now Avista.

Upon Art’s retirement in 1978 they spent their winters in Indio, Calif., and visiting friends and family. Art died in 2005. Eileen continued to live in their home until moving to North Star Retirement Center and ultimately Generations Assisted Living facility. Eileen was a former member of Coeur d’Alene Lady Lions, Nile, Eastern Star, Kootenai Medical Center Auxiliary, Coeur d’Alene Good Sam’s II, Tangerine Bowling League, Washington Water Power Women’s Association and the Rancho Casa Blanca Choir. She will be remembered for her homemade bread, her gardening skills, her quick wit and her generosity.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brothers, Leonard Jr., Roy and Danny. She is survived by her daughters, Pam Claflin and Arta (Plezena Shack); son, Terry Needham; brother, Bud Fairfield; three grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins; nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave. in Hayden, Idaho. The family requests that memorials be sent to Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House at 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Eileen’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.