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Mary Lou Talbot, 72

The world got a little darker, and heaven a little brighter, when Mary Lou Larson Talbot, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, rejoined her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Oct. 20, 2018, after a courageous 4½ year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 72.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Michael Glenn Talbot; daughters, Jennifer Mary “Jenny” (John) James of Auburn, Ala., Tamra Michelle “Tami” (Shawn) Cook of Provo, Utah, and Mary Kathryn “Katy” (Helo) Hancock of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and nine grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sherry Haislet and Judy Hassel.

Mary Lou Talbot (also known as “Lou,” “LaLa” or “YaYa”) was born in Spokane, Wash., at Sacred Heart Hospital on Dec. 6, 1945, to Charles T. “Bus” and Bernice Larson. She was raised on the family mink ranch known as the “Spirit Lake Fur Farm,” located along the beautiful shoreline of Spirit Lake, Idaho. Lou attended Immaculate Heart Academy (IHM) in Coeur d’Alene until her sophomore year and then transferred to Lakeland High School, in Rathdrum, Idaho, where she graduated as co-valedictorian in 1964. Lou received a bachelor degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho in 1968 while she was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

It was at the University of Idaho that Lou met the love of her life, Michael Talbot of Montpelier, Idaho. Lou and Mike married a short time after graduating from college and settled in Montpelier to launch their careers and raise a family. Lou was offered a teaching position with the Bear Lake School District, where she taught fifth and seventh-grade students for more than three decades. Educating the children of Bear Lake County for 34 years was one of Lou’s most prized accomplishments. She touched the lives of thousands of students during her tenure as a school teacher, many of whom shared stories about “Mrs. Talbot” on Facebook recently at https://www.facebook.com/1587321605/posts/10215446023015558/.

Lou was a devout member of the Catholic Church and volunteered faithfully in any way she could, including as the organist of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Montpelier for more than 40 years. Lou loved her religion and was a major influence in the baptism of her husband to Catholicism. She volunteered in many community organizations, including serving as director of the National Ski Patrol for the Pine Creek Ski Area near Cokeville, Wyo., and as president of the Teachers Association in the Bear Lake School District.

Although she spent much of her adult life in southeast Idaho, the place she treasured most was along the tree-lined shores of Spirit Lake. Her lifelong connection to Spirit Lake was reinvigorated each year when the family embarked upon a 650-mile journey north to Spirit Lake for extended summer vacations; some would call it a pilgrimage. It was perhaps Lou’s final and greatest desire to see her dream home built on the family property at Spirit Lake. This dream came to fruition when the home was completed in July of 2018 and Mike and Lou moved into what many call “the most beautiful house on the lake.” It was in her new “castle” where Lou’s last days were spent, surrounded by loved ones.

Lou loved life in every way. She loved skiing, golf, shooting her bow and playing cards with friends. She loved the four seasons with the changing of the leaves. She was enchanted by sunsets. She admired the birds, savored the flowers, gazed at the trees, protected the insects, adored the animals and truly appreciated everything else nature had to offer. She loved God’s creations, and they loved her back. She was our very own version of “Snow White.”

Above all, Lou loved her family and the time they spent together most. She cherished the inseparable bond she shared with her lifelong companion, Mike, and was so proud of her three daughters and the exemplary women they have become. The world will never be the same without the beautiful gift of kindness and generosity that Mary Lou Talbot gave to everyone who had the privilege of meeting her. She was an example to us all in every way — the epitome of class, grace and all that is good in life.

“Mary Lou Larson Talbot, may you rest in peace.”

A Memorial Mass will be held in her honor at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with a light luncheon to follow. A graveside service and inurnment will be conducted at the Montpelier City Cemetery in Montpelier, Idaho, at noon on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, Lou requested school supplies, maps, globes or monetary donations be sent to the Bear Lake Middle School, 633 Washington St., Montpelier, ID 83254, to help teachers provide the tools and knowledge of the world to the students attending the very school where Lou dedicated a major portion of her life.

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