James Francis McNall

Francis McNall peacefully passed away in his home on June 7^th.  He was surrounded by his loving family.  He was born January 1, 1918 in Sprague, Washington to Catherine and Bill McNall.  He was the oldest of three living children.  In 1922, the family moved to the Grouse Creek area at Samuels, Idaho to 80 acres of raw land; no cleared land, no buildings and only two green trees - just stumps and fire- killed trees.  Francis stayed with relatives to attend a one-room school in northern Whitman County Washington.  He completed the eighth grade at Grouse Creek School and then returned to stay with his relatives where he could ride a bus to Amber High School in southern Spokane County, where he graduated in 1935.  After staying home a year, he attended the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1940.

              He was a charter member of the Grouse Creek 4-H Calf Club, started in 1931 with Bill Albertson as leader.  In 1935, Francis became the leader and continued as a leader for 19 years.  He has been a 4-H supporter all of his life and a lifetime breeder of purebred Shorthorn cattle.

               After World War II, Francis taught a class in Veterans’ Vocational Agriculture for four and a half years.  In 1957, he started teaching fifth and sixth grades at Northside School, where he taught for 23 years.  In addition to guiding their academic studies, he spent a great deal of time with his students playing ball and teaching them to dance.

              Francis married Beverly Marley in Sandpoint on September 25, 1947, and they were fortunate enough to celebrate sixty-nine anniversaries together.  They raised seven children.  Francis depended on Beverly (the good cook) to provide cookies and Kool-Aid for the 4-H club and Sloppy Joes for his students on field trips.  Beverly also invented many recipes for gluten-free meals for Francis over the years.  Her peanut butter cookies made with rice flour are a favorite of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to this day.

On January 1 of this year, he celebrated his 100^th birthday with his entire family by his side.  Many family friends and former students came by to wish him a happy birthday.  It was a milestone for him and all who knew him.

He is survived by a brother, Vincent (Betty) McNall of Kooskia; son Jim (Susan) McNall of Kuna; son Dennis (Kristi) McNall of Sandpoint; daughter Louise (Steve) Wood of Sandpoint; daughter-in-law Robyn (Bob) Ross of Sagle; daughter Elizabeth (Bert) Wood of Naples; daughter Janice (Todd) Riley of Sandpoint; daughter Rose (Brad) Ropp of Sandpoint; nineteen grandchildren (“all boys but sixteen”, as Francis was fond of saying); and 35 great grandchildren.

              He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, parents Bill and Catherine, a sister Lois (Paul) Westfall, son Alan McNall, son-in-law John Meredith, granddaughter Shanna McNall, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and two brothers in infancy.  Memorial donations may be made to the Saint Joseph Catholic Church, the Bonner County Food Bank, or a charity of your choice.

              He enjoyed his family, animals (especially Shorthorn cattle), gardening, and the beautiful North Idaho scenery, which he saw grow from black stumps and dead trees to the thousands of green trees of today.

              He was a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic Church, the American Shorthorn Association, local and national cattle associations, and the Co-op.  Francis was recognized in 2003 for 71 years’ involvement in 4-H at the Bonner County Fair, and he was honored to be named the first Grand Marshall of the Fair.  The family continues the tradition of showing Shorthorn cattle.

              Many family members have for years referred to going back to the ranch as going “up home”.  Francis has now gone “up home” to join Beverly and those who have gone before, and to be with his Heavenly Father.

              Francis has left a tremendous legacy for his family.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The Rosary will be said at 7:00 pm, Friday, June 15^th at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 16^th, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint with Father Dennis C. Day officiating.  There will be a visitation on Friday, June 15^th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel.