Ellen Marie 'Elmarie' Waterhouse, 103

June 2, 1920 — Aug. 19, 2023

On Aug. 19, 2023, this world lost one of its greats and Heaven gained a true gem. Ellen Marie “Elmarie” Waterhouse was able to meet Jesus after 103 years here with her loved ones.

Born June 2, 1920, in Spokane, Wash., Elmarie was an only child to Ruth and Addi Paul Ganas. A child of a railroad worker, Elmarie and her family moved to Hythe, Alberta, a small town in northern Canada, where they became very close with other families in the community. She often told stories of her youth, remembering sneaking into the outhouse to put on make-up that she had hidden above the door before heading to school and spending time with best friends made in the small town.

Later, her family moved to Edmonton, Alberta. In high school, she spent alternate years in Edmonton and in Lake Stevens, Wash., with family and graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1938. The stories of this era that family members cherish involve Elmarie running track, even winning the treasured trophy that proudly stands on her piano, enjoying ice skating, and playing hockey and baseball. Always active, Elmarie embraced other activities in life including bowling in a competitive league, joining golf, and of course, one activity that was an unchanging joy throughout her life … dancing.

It was in Edmonton in a bowling alley where she met the first love of her life, Raymond Waterhouse. They married June 27, 1941, when she was 21 years old, and they moved to Post Falls, Idaho, in 1945. Ray and Elmarie were blessed with three children: Sandra Anderson, Cathy Williams and Michael Waterhouse. Elmarie spent many years as a stay-at-home mom and later became a well-known face at Ace and True Value Hardware stores where she worked well into her 80s. She was actively involved in the kids’ school activities and was seen chaperoning many high school dances. If not at a school dance, she might have also been found in her own living room with Ray, their children, and friends listening to the blaring of an LP turntable and allowing the space to be transformed into an at-home dance party … a practice that even their grandchildren were able to partake in later. Ray and Elmarie spent an extraordinary 56 years married until Ray’s passing in 1997.

As an only child, Elmarie always dreamed of having a sibling, a desire the Lord granted to her when she was about 86 years old when she learned of having a ½ sister, Joy Loven. Thrilled, the two sisters were able to spend a few years connecting before Joy’s passing.

Dancing led her to the senior center when she was well into her eighties where she met the second love of her life, Don Daugherty. They enjoyed years of remodeling projects, watching bull riding, and playing solitaire together. Through Don, she made a strong connection with Don’s daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Scott Bristow, and Don’s brother and sister-in-law, Mel and Sandy Daugherty. On her last days, she was able to enjoy Saturday morning coffee and Friday taco nights with Terri and Scott. Her social schedule was always active and included a plethora of friends and family members and diverse activities, including a favorite of hers … cribbage. El was a social magnet with a spark for life and a spunk that drew many close friends, near and far. She valued each person in her life, every phone call, any drop-by visit or shared meal, and never met a person she didn’t appreciate.

For now, she leaves behind an adoring family including her children: Sandra, Cathy (David) and Michael (Karie); six grandchildren: Brian Kobs (Sara), Amy Bachman, Megan Hopson (Lucas), Kimberly Vernon (Luke), David Waterhouse (Bethany) and Kellie Fender (Quintin); and 17 great-grandchildren: Ellary, Schade, Pressley, Bella, Liliya, Cora, Ezra, Judah, Reese, Rylee, Randee, Carter, Macy, Levi, Grayson, Owen and Finley. Her special friends/family who remain include Terri and Scott Bristow, Mel and Sandy Daugherty, Dick and Verna Snider, and Nancy LaBolle. The family wants to send our appreciation to Millie Bachman, Margie Bocook and Carol Draine for the love and care shared with Elmarie in the past months.

A celebration of life will be held at The American Legion, 1139 E. Poleline Road, Post Falls, Idaho, on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feel free to wear pink or teal, her favorite colors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society to support the spaying and neutering of feral cats and/ or the Post Falls Food Bank. To see Elmarie's online Memorial and to leave a message for the family please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.