Verda Marie Newell, 97

Verda Marie Newell, 97, passed from this life to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Verda was a resident at the Courtyard Senior Living Center on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  

Verda was born at home in Salmon, Idaho, on March 10, 1927, to Emma Marie Colvin and Weymeth John Long. She attended Salmon schools until she graduated and moved to Missoula, Mont., to attend the University of Montana. After attending U of M for just her freshman year, Verda transferred to the University of Idaho. She remembered that housing was so sparse, due to the GIs returning from WWII, that women were required to pledge a sorority in order to be permitted to remain on campus. Verda pledged Alpha Chi Omega.  

The first fraternity and sorority mixer of September that year, she met Robert Hugh Newell, a Delta Chi pledge, who had just returned from the Japanese occupation. The two married their senior year Dec. 20, 1949.  

Verda began her academic career as one of only two women in the geology department; she came from a long line of miners in Montana. However, Verda changed her major to business early on; also, primarily a male field. After many years of teaching middle school and high school, Verda returned to the University of Idaho to earn a Masters and Doctorate in Business Education. During that time, she taught in the Business Education department.

Later in life, Verda and Bob launched Shadow Mountain Business Careers in Boise, Idaho. The private adult education program was an early pioneer of computer training in accounting, business law and word processing.

Verda is survived by her three children: Nikki Marie Warnick, James Robert Newell and Julie Edith Yetter. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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