Sandra Lynn Smith

Sandra “Sandee” L. Smith (Warren) age 74, passed away peacefully at her home on December 15, 2020 with her husband and daughter by her side.

Sandee was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on October 10, 1946.  At the age of 12 her parents divorced, and she moved from Sandpoint to Grandview, Washington with her mom and 2 younger brothers to live with her maternal grandparents. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved back to Sandpoint and attended the Sandpoint School of Hair Design. She married Cleadis Gunter in the spring of 1966. Soon after, they welcomed their son, Jimmy, followed 16 months later by their daughter, Kim. Upon her divorce from Cleadis in 1979, she and her 2 kids moved to Hope, ID where she married her 2nd husband, Rex “Al” Walrath. They divorced in 1985.  In October of 1991 she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Smith. They married less than 3 months later, and remained inseparable throughout their nearly 29 years of marriage. He was by her side until her last breath.

Throughout her adult life she worked at various hair salons and watering holes in the Sandpoint/Bonner County area. She also owned and operated her own hair salon “Shear Magic” from 1987 to 1998. In 2002 she began working for Wendy Rucker at A New Age Hair Salon in Ponderay, Idaho. She remained there until her retirement in 2016. 

Sandee was an active member the Eagles Organization for over 35 years. While there, she volunteered countless hours to help raise money for various charities and for those in need. She took her membership very seriously often receiving the highest scores possible during competitions and rituals. She also held all seven office positions at both the local and state level within the Eagles Organization.  Her greatest accomplishment was when she was elected Madam State President of the Idaho State Eagles Auxiliary in 2014. During her year as Madam State President she travelled throughout Idaho raising money for her chosen charity.  She was an active member of the Eagles until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2016. During the last 4 years of her life she survived breast cancer and colon cancer, but ultimately passed as a result of long-term diabetes.

She will be fondly remembered by her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and generous heart. She could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and she continuously strived to make others feel better. She taught her children to be kind, and to always stick up for the underdog. She loved her family and friends, and made each of them feel special.  Her children and her husband were her best friends, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Sandee is survived by her husband, James W. Smith of Sagle ID, her daughter, Kimberlee Gunter of Sagle ID, her brother, James Warren of Kootenai ID, her daughter-in-law, Angel Gunter of Sagle ID, her previous daughter-in-law, Lisa Seward of Sagle ID, her step-sons from her current marriage, Gary and Keith Smith, her step-sons from her second marriage, Michael and Joseph Walrath, her grandchildren Nancy Hartsock, Jacob Gunter, Joseph (Genevieve) Gunter, Billy Eveland, Alison Seward, and her great grandchildren, Jayden Mcghee, Believe Hartsock, Charley Gunter, and Waylon Gunter, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Sandee was proceeded in death by her Grandparents, Ralph and Verda Hanson, her parents Frank & Edith Warren, her brother, Dennis Warren, her older sister, Kay (who was born in 1940 and sadly passed away as an infant), her son, James O. Gunter, and her granddaughter, Hanna Olivia Seward.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Eagles Lodge located at 1511 John Hudon Ln. in Sandpoint, Idaho on Saturday, May 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm. Finger foods will be provided after the service.