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Julia Ruby Blessing Kinsolving

Julia R. (Blessing) Kinsolving passed away on March 5, 2019, while in Hospice care in Spokane, Wash. Known to everyone as “Julie,” she was born in Spokane on July 24, 1920; the daughter of Walter L. and Clara J. (Smelcer) Blessing, of Medimont, Idaho. She spent her childhood in the Medimont area but has been a resident of St. Maries, Idaho, for many years.

On Jan. 1, 1941, Julie married C. Edwin Kinsolving, the son of Dr. C.J. and Julia E. (Eanes) Kinsolving. Julie and Ed started out their married life by purchasing a ranch in the Goosehaven district and raising oats, hay and cattle. In 1952, they purchased a home in St. Maries but continued farming. In the spring of 1963, she opened a clothing store on Main Street known as Julie’s Mode O’ Day, which she owned for 20 years.

Julie enjoyed the mountains and all the beauty of God’s creation. She was an avid rock hunter along the creeks of northern Idaho. Her aspiration at a young age to become the lead singer with a country western band matured into a lifelong love of rodeos and Grand Ole Opry music. However, her most treasured vocation was being a mother and grandmother. Like her mother, nothing delighted Julie more than serving those she loved coffee cake and sugar cookies made from old family recipes. She was active in St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in St. Maries and a member for many years of the church prayer group.

Julie is survived by her brother, Fred T. (Wilma) Blessing of Spokane Valley, Wash.; three children: Laurence E. (Ruth) Kinsolving of Marianna, Fla., Terri C. (Jack) (Kinsolving) Wagoner of Ione, Wash. and Dan M. (Tamara) Kinsolving of Spokane Valley; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, March 15, 2019, at the St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in St. Maries. A luncheon reception will follow. The family wishes to honor Julie’s request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, c/o Father Jerome Montez, 214 Pine St., Wallace, ID 83873.

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