LuElla Mae Nearing, 96

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of LuElla Mae Nearing (Miles) aka Grandma Lu, on Aug. 30, 2024, in Post Falls, Idaho. LuElla Nearing, Lu as she was known to friends and family, was born Feb. 3, 1928, in Wallace, Idaho, to Scott and Elsie Miles (Turner). 

Lu graduated from Kellogg High School in May of 1946. In the summer of 1946, while on leave from the Navy, Gene Nearing was walking by a café in Seattle and recognized LuElla Miles from Kellogg sitting at a table and decided to walk in and talk to her. This turned out to be a very good decision. On Sept. 27, 1946, they were married. Shortly after they were married, they purchased a home in Kingston, where they raised their children. Lu still resided in the family home until her passing.

Lu and Gene were co-owners of DG&S Company beginning in 1976 and Nearing Logging prior to that. Lu was the bookkeeper for the businesses until she retired in 1995. 

Lu enjoyed many hobbies throughout her 96 years, but most recently spent time quilting, attending birthday club, hanging out with her cat, Betsy, and spending time with friends and family. She loved following her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren's sports and activities and was proud to read about them in the newspaper and on Facebook. She loved watching the Mariners, the Yankees and Gonzaga basketball. 

Lu was preceded in death by her parents, Scott Miles and Elsie Ray, son Freddie, husband Gene, daughter Tana Rainio, son Denny and brother Gary Miles. 

She is survived by her son, Scott (Debbie) Nearing of Kingston, Idaho, daughter Charlotte (Bruce) Casady of North Pole, Alaska, brother Bobby (Linda) Miles of Texas, son-in-law Ray Rainio of Cataldo, Idaho, nephew John (Gail) Nearing of Kingston, Idaho, 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. A graveside service will be held at Hunt Cemetery in Kingston, Idaho, at 11 a.m. The graveside service will be followed by a luncheon at noon at Timbers Roadhouse in Cataldo. All are welcome.

The family asks that memorials be made to Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House in memory of Tana Rainio.

Memories of LuElla and messages of condolence may be shared with her family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Nearing family with arrangements. 

    Nearing