Joanne “Jo” Hedge, 79
Our dear mother, Joanne “Jo” M. Hedge, sadly passed away after a long illness and other health complications on September 23, 2022 at the age of 79 in Coeur d Alene, Idaho. She refused to let her illness define her and left a legacy that will forever impact those lucky enough to know her.
She was born April 16, 1943 in Moscow, Idaho to Rueben Fink and Berniece Perry. She was raised in Palouse, Washington where she was the pride of joy of all. She spent most of her childhood with her grandparents, many aunts, and uncles who loved her beyond measure. They took her everywhere they went showing her off to the town. They played a big part in her becoming the wonderful person she was.
She moved to Coeur d Alene as a teenager. She attended high school in Coeur d’Alene where she met and later married Russel Hedge and had three children. She stayed at home raising her kids until the early 70’s when she became a server at the Athletic Round Table in Coeur d’Alene. The family later moved to Post Falls where she began working at the Potlach sawmill. She worked at Advanced Input Devices for over a decade. She was her happiest working as a heavy equipment operator for Kootenai County Solid Waste. She started out spotting cars and later got her CDL. At 5 ft nothing she started driving front end loaders, big rigs and recycling vehicles, always full of energy, fun and humor. She was loved by all her co-workers and friends who describe her as a real spit fire who thought the world of her.
She loved the outdoors and found joy with fishing, gardening, cooking and shopping. Her greatest joy was caring for her children and grandchildren. They were the light of her life who she loved more than anything. She was a very strong, hard-working, and forgiving person who never held a grudge. She was a very devoted and nurturing mother who put her kids and grandkids before herself. She was all about family and kids. She was the matriarch of the family, always well dressed and looking great. She had a heart of gold unlike any other, definitely one-of-a-kind. You only had to know her for a second to fall in love with her. She had a special way about her that people just couldn’t help but love, especially when she would use her signature swear words her uncles taught her on the streets of Palouse when she was just 3 years old. Some say she could make a sailor blush. She will be missed more than words can say and will never be forgotten by those who were privileged enough to have her in their life. The family will never be the same without her.
Jo is survived by her daughter, Laura Kees; son, Scott Hedge; daughter, Teresa “Terri” (Glenn) McCullough; grandchildren: Christopher Swanson, Tara (Josh) Saenz, Hailey (Jeff) Zabransky, Jordan Kees and Connor McCullough; eleven great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and countless loving friends. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Tom Valley, and sister, Paula Valley.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Yates Funeral Home – Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Please visit Jo’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com
