Amanda Loewen, 81

Amanda Loewen, 81, passed away April 20, 2009, at her home in Bonners Ferry after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by close family friends and her husband, Ernie Loewen.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6784 Cody St., Bonners Ferry.

Amanda was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Kisching, Germany, to Anton and Maria Gmeiner. She migrated to America in 1947 and proudly became a United States citizen on Sept. 10, 1963.

Amanda and her husband spent most of their married life in Roseville and Loomis, Calif., before moving to Bonners Ferry in 1992.

Amanda loved to entertain in her home. She was a skilled baker and liked to bake for family and friends. During the Vietnam War she baked thousands of cookies and sent them to the servicemen overseas. Amanda derived a great deal of pleasure in doing things for others.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, children Linda Nix of Paris, Texas, John Atkin of Corning, Calif., Jill Loewen of Salem, Ore., Rodger Loewen of Salem, Ore., and Kenny Jason of Newcastle, Wyo.; sisters Elizabeth Heshizer of Irwin, Pa., and Maria Knaus of Dorstetten, Germany; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint,  Idaho, 83864.

Family and friends may sign Amanda’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were handled by Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.