Bertha Irene Coulston

Bertha Irene (Bert) Springer Coulston was born on August 2, 1925 in Carpenter, Wyoming, the youngest of four daughters, of John and Marjorie Springer. Berthas early years were spent living near cousins, almost like one big family. At the age of 10 years old, Bert’s family moved from this drought stricken “Dust Bowl” region of Wyoming to a more promising, productive area in North Idaho. The family’s meager belongings, including livestock, traveled by train to their new farm land in the Morton area. It is there that they began to build a Grade A Dairy, and a new life. Bertha and her sisters attended a two room school house in Morton; and yes, they did walk about a mile to school each day. This new community became their new extended family, forming deep friendships and making wonderful memories. For high school, Bertha moved into Sandpoint and lived with her married sister, Pearl. The daily commute from Morton to Sandpoint would have required crossing the Pend Oreille River on the Thama Ferry and then traveling on into Sandpoint for school, much to long of a distance from her Morton home. While attending Sandpoint High School, she met and dated her soon-to-be-husband, Kenneth Coulston. Bertha and Kenny both graduated in 1944. They became engaged that summer, and by December, Kenny had shipped out with the Navy, joining the war effort in the Pacific. Bertha moved again! This time she moved into her future in-laws home (Clarence and Ada) until Kenny returned from the service in 1946. Bert worked in a local bakery during that time. But probably more importantly, she developed a special relationship with her future mother-in-law. Ada became a great Christian witness and mentor for the younger Bert. Their mother-daughter relationship lasted their entire lives. Bertha and Kenny were married August 29, 1946, just eight days from Kenny’s discharge from the Navy. They honeymooned on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, in a fishing shack in Bottle Bay (maybe not Bert’s choice of housing). Upon returning to Sandpoint, they began to build their home and life together on the South Lavina property that was their home for 69 years. By 1952, three daughters; Judy, Lois and Kathy had joined their family. With each addition, more of their house was completed and useble. And in 1962, Bert’s niece, Lorrie, joined the family as daughter number four. Bert was a wife, a stay at home mom, and a child care giver. After her own family were grown, bert opened up her home to a select few preschoolers who she lovingly cared for as their parents worked. Bert had great faith in her Lord Jesus Christ, and she showed that faith by how she lived her life. She practiced her gift of hospitality. She opened up her home often for housing visiting missionaries and pastors. She frequently hosted small group church gatherings in her home and served desserts. She would volunteer to help in the church kitchen for congregational potluck dinners, or serving at weddings and funerals. And when the church hosted a food booth at the Bonner County Fair, Bert always volunteered to cook and serve, enjoying both the food and the friendships. Bertha held many different positions over her 50 plus years at First Christian Church; teacher, pianist, secretary, treasure and choir member, she was always willing to help and serve. In the late 1960’s and 1970’s, Bert belonged to a women’s group, The Ladies Aid, who met weekly to socialize, to lift each other up and to sew and quilt. Their creations were given to anyone in need in Bonner County. But one of her most favorite church activities was singing in the church choir. Bert loved the singing, the friendships, the laughter and silliness. But she especially loved performing in the church’s Living Christmas Tree production each year, as an outreach event for our community. Bertha’s everyday life could be compared to June Cleaver of the 1960’s show “Leave it to Beaver.” Putting on her dress, apron and high heels at the start of each day was required. Monday was “wash cloths day,” Tuesday was “iron cloths day,” Wednesday was “grocery shopping in the morning with church in the evening,” Thursday was “clean the house morning and Ladies Aid afternoon,” and Friday (the best day of all) was “bake bread and cinnamon rolls day!” June Cleaver and Bert’s routine varied little, routine and orderliness were necessary. Bert was artistic and creative. With only a handful of piano lessons, she taught herself to play both the organ and piano. She learned to sew out of necessity, making work shirts for Kenny and school cloths for her daughters. She sewed countless winter quilts to keep her family warm. She knitted hats, mittens, socks, sweaters, skirts with matching sweaters, jackets and afghans. And later in life, Bert learned to do cross stitch art, creating beautiful pictures for our homes. Bert’s hands were never idle, always having at least one “hand” project nearby to work on in the evenings. When Bert was in her early 80’s, she began to have difficulty with early dementia. Even when daily tasks became more of an issue, Bert remained happy and content. She so enjoyed the visits from Anna and her boys, when Anna came to help with house work. And she loved the care givers who came to prepare meals and to keep her company. But too soon, it was necessary to move Bert to her final earthy home, Huckleberry Retirement House. Bert lived in, was cared for, and was loved on by the care givers at Huckleberry. Kenny visited her almost every day at noon to help her eat. Their love and commitment to each other was such an example to their family how marriage should be, and how to live out your days will. Bert died quietly December 6, 2015 at the age of 90 years. Her family will miss her, she leaves a big hole in their hearts and lives. Bertha is survived by four daughters; Judy (Larry) Elliot of Sagle, ID, Lois Garcia of Meridian, ID, Kathy (Gary) McConnell of Deer Park, WA, and Lorrie (Neal) Tacke of Bowdle, SD. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Kara (Grey) Henning, Krista (Dale) Shaw, Dennis (Sheena) Garcia, Dustin (Sarah) Garcia, Eric (Shayne Wakefield) McConnell, Dan (Katie) McConnell, Ryan Tacke and 13 great grandchildren. A brother-in-law Gerald Coulson of Dunnigan, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 69 years, Kenneth Coulston, her grandson David Garcia, her parents John and Marjorie Springer, her sisters Pearl Callen, Jean Wilkenson and Mary Leonard. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00am, Monday, December 14, 2015; in the Sandpoint First Christian Church.