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Carolyn Waldram

August 17, 1939 — May 28, 2018

Carolyn Waldram was born Aug. 17, 1939, to Bob and Ruby Bennion in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She passed away on May 28, 2018, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after an extended illness.

Carolyn was the oldest of four children: her two sisters were Betty Gaye and Bobette, and a younger brother named Rodney. In 1948 the family moved from southern Idaho to Coeur d’Alene. She graduated in 1957 from Coeur d’Alene High School and was a member of the drill team there. She went to North Idaho Junior College to study business.

On May 19, 1959, she married the love of her life, Gene Waldram. They had two children, Carole Jeanne and Jeff. Carolyn and Gene loved the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing. They were oftentimes joined by family and friends.

Carolyn loved to entertain and had many holidays and parties in her home. She was a fantastic cook and a great hostess. Everyone was welcome, and usually the first question was, “what would you like to drink?” Gene and Carolyn loved their little travel trailer which they named “The Lightning Crack Special.”

Carolyn had several jobs, starting at the Coeur d’Alene Creamery, moving on to Bob Bennion Oil Company, and she started working with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department in 1975. She started in the Driver’s Licensing Department and went on to manage that division, and eventually she became a deputy and worked in the Civil Department, retiring in 1999.

In 1985, Gene passed away and Carolyn had to reinvent her new way of living. Her life was filled with love and family, the door was always open and the welcome mat was out. She loved having people in her home. She loved to travel, venturing to Alaska, New Orleans, California, and visiting southern Idaho; always embracing a new adventure. One of Carolyn’s favorite titles was being a grandma. She enjoyed her three grandchildren, Dusty, Gina, and Kirsten, and loved having them over for dinners, movie time, music and fun.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Ruby Bennion; husband, Gene Waldram; in-laws, Tom and Linde Waldram; sisters-in-law, Diane Buffa and Patty Bennion; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Bartholomew, Robert Hartz and Dick Nustad. She is survived by her children, Carole Jeanne (Cojee) Waldram, Jeff Waldram and his wife, Dorrie and their children, Dusty, Gina and Kirsten Waldram; and great-grandchildren, Keturah and Judah; her sisters, Betty Gaye Hartz and Bobette Bartholomew; brother, Rodney Bennion; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

A very special thank you to the staff at Ivy Court for the thoughtful care she received in her time there.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Yates Funeral Home — Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Carolyn’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.