Colleen (Kearney) Flowers, 70
Colleen Marie (Kearney) Flowers, 70, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away peacefully Oct. 31, 2023, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., of multiple myeloma, a rare blood cell cancer. She was born July 13, 1953, in Sunnyside, Wash., to Kenneth “Ken” and Shirley (Post) Kearney, the first of five children.
Colleen grew up in Sunnyside and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1971. She then went on to study nursing at Yakima Valley College. She graduated from YVC in May 1974 and passed her Washington State Board nursing license exam shortly after. She decided to move to Spokane and shortly after her friend, Dawn (Morhar) Savage, followed to start their nursing careers at Sacred Heart Hospital.
In 1976, Colleen met Jerry Flowers, who was living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at the time, through mutual friends. On Oct. 29, 1977, Colleen and Jerry were married in the Spokane Valley. They began their new life in a duplex on Fairway Drive in Coeur d’Alene that they built together. Jerry started his career as a building contractor and Colleen began working for Kootenai Medical Center as a Registered Nurse.
Besides working at hospitals, Colleen had a diverse medical career working at doctor’s offices, urgent care and home health; and also being vice president of Flowers Construction. She loved the challenge of learning something new.
Colleen and Jerry built a house and lived in Post Falls for two years. They then built their forever home on 5 acres north of Rathdrum in 1980. On July 19, 1983, Colleen gave birth to their daughter, Hillary, at Kootenai Medical Center.
Colleen’s pets were very special to her, especially her beagles, cats and Barbados sheep. She was a collector of dolls and Coca-Cola memorabilia.
Colleen loved her flowers and planters — especially sunflowers she planted at home. She would always plant a tree or a bush for loved ones who had passed away and watch it grow as she believed it was a good way to honor their memory.
She was kind, and gentle and could strike up a conversation with anyone. She mentored and welcomed all of Hillary’s girlfriends into her home. As an only child, Hillary always had to bring a friend along on vacations or day trips, so Colleen never had just one girl in the car.
In 2001, Colleen decided that she would like to restore a classic car. A lot of people tried to influence her, but she made up her own mind and decided to restore a 1974 Maverick Grabber, similar to her first car that she bought new in Spokane in 1974. She attended many car shows in it, enjoyed cruising with it and received many trophies and awards. She loved classic cars.
For the past 20 years, Colleen and Jerry have enjoyed spending time at their place in Yuma, Ariz., during the winter.
Colleen was blessed by Hillary and Kasey Main with two grandsons, Jordan and Mason. She enjoyed watching the boys grow and baking Christmas cookies with them.
Colleen was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2022. She was willing to try any treatment available to extend her life and be with her family, but the cancer was too far advanced.
Colleen is survived by her husband, Jerry Flowers of Rathdrum; her daughter and son-in-law, Hillary (Flowers) and Kasey Main, and grandsons Jordan and Mason Main of Athol, Idaho; her mother, Shirley Kearney of Spokane; sisters Marcy (Dale) Firestone of Spokane, Lory (Don) Peterson of Stevensville, Mont., and Kay Kearney of Prosser, Wash.; her nephews, Josh Felker of Stevensville, Tristan Firestone of Spokane, Frank Kearney of Finley, Wash., and Colton Presley of Finley.
She is preceded in death by her father, Ken Kearney; brother Steve Kearney and nephew Cavin Firestone.
A viewing will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, also at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. A memorial gathering will be held immediately following the funeral service at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in the ballroom, 209 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. A private burial will be held at the Newport Cemetery in Newport, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at themmrf.org; or plant a tree or a bush to honor her memory.
Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Colleen’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
Flowers