Lenore Messmore

Lenore Messmore, 81, passed away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Friday, November 23, 2007. Interment was in Pinecrest Memorial Park, below the home of her youth. Friends are invited to call between 6PM and 8PM, Tuesday evening at Coffelt Funeral Service. Lenore was born in Towner, CO on Nov. 28, 1925, the daughter of True and Geneva Wilson. She moved to Idaho with her family in 1935, and they bought what became known as Hilltop Iris Gardens overlooking Sandpoint and Lake Pend O’reille. She graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1943 and worked at J.C. Pennys. Lenore was a June bride when she married E.J. Messmore at the First Methodist Church in Sandpoint on June 22, 1947. The young couple purchased a home on South Ella, moving to West Pine in 1954 into the home that EJ, and his father, built in 1939. She was active as a wife and mother. She and EJ opened EJ’s Auto Supply in 1971 where she worked as the bookkeeper until retiring in 1978. She worked as a volunteer of the Sandpoint Manor Auxiliary for several years, returning often in 2000 when her father in law, Fulton Messmore resided there. The United Methodist Church gave Lenore much gratification attending the baptism of her children and grandchildren, participating in the women’s group, singing in the choir, being a Sunday School facilitator, and even holding a district nominating position. Most important, to her, were the many friendships she made from the Sandpoint church. In 2004, Lenore moved to the Legends Park Assisted Living Facility in Coeur d’Alene and continued to attend church there with Elaine Bailey, a church friend. Elaine took Lenore to the Community United Methodist Church where she would sometimes see her church friends from Sandpoint. In June, this year, she moved to the Lifecare Center in Coeur d’Alene. Lenore spent many hours on genealogy, stamp collecting, and enjoyed writing poems and limericks. She loved putting together a picnic for her family’s Sunday afternoon, helping her mother with gardening and canning, and felt privileged to assist in her father’s health care during his last months. He favorite pastime was her grandchildren, taking them camping, providing craft and learning activities for them, and attending school, scouting, and sports events in which they participated. She was an avid birdwatcher, and avid reader, full of surprises at the amount of facts she could contribute to a conversation. She is survived by her daughter Shirley (and Rocky) Walson, grand daughter Traci Walson, and great grand son Brady, all of Hayden, ID; her son Delar Messmore of Coeur d’Alene, ID; her grandson Aaron Walson and great grand daughter Harley Walson of Rathdrum, ID; Sister Marilla (and Kay) Kemmis, sister-in-law Freda (and Bill) Fournier, longtime neighbors Norman and Ruth Bolstad; all of Sandpoint, ID; and former son-in-law John Stanke of Spokane, WA. Numerous cousins also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband E.J.; her son Dean; her daughter Janice Stanke; her parents; and infant brother and an infant sister; and her in-laws Fulton, Mary, and Velma Messmore. Lenore had a wonderful and abiding faith. Please join the family in praying for her joyful entrance to join Our Father, along with her many friends and relatives who have preceded her. Memorials may be made to the Sandpoint United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 711 Main St., Sandpoint, Idaho 83864.