Myrta Marie Balsemer Kjos, 81
Myrta Marie Balsemer Kjos, 81, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at the Extended Care Facility in Bonners Ferry.
Myrta’s funeral was held Jan. 31 at the Free Methodist Church.
She was born on June 20, 1928, in Bonners Ferry to Emil and Josephine Wilson Balsemer.
Myrta and her brother, Edwin, were raised in Kent’s Gulch where they helped on the family farm, which consisted of orchards, hay, pigs and milk cows.
Myrta was a country girl and could often be seen either walking to school, which was located on the south side of town, or her dad would be taking her to school, riding their farm wagon pulled by a team of horses. Myrta’s family never owned a car and were the last ones in the county to give up their team and wagon.
As a young woman, Myrta worked as a waitress at a local restaurant.
She married Burnen Kjos in November 1946; they were married for 64 years.
The couple had five children. Myrta devoted her time to her home and family.
She did not learn to drive until she was in her 20s and often she would load her "then" four children in her car and "practice" driving around the Maas Loop Road.
Myrta enjoyed fishing in the mountains, huckleberry picking, playing Yahtzee and Bingo, and doing ceramics. Burnie and Myrta also enjoyed taking long rides around the beautiful countryside.
Myrta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents and brother .
She is survived by her children, Marva Mendenhall and her husband, Beloit, of Bonners Ferry, Larry Kjos of Blanchard, Steve Kjos and his wife, Nina, of Priest River, Kevin Kjos and his wife, Gloria, of Bonners Ferry and Linda Pitcher and her husband, Chuck, of Whitefish, Mont., special friend Tom Copeland; and grandchildren David Mendenhall, Lisa Pluid and her husband, Mike, Ron Mendenhall and his wife, Heidi, Jacob Kjos, Kriss Gibson and her husband, Andy, Lori Erickson and her husband, Oscar, Teri Smith and her husband, Carl, Todd Schmitz and his wife, Joy, Tonya Cokenour and her husband, Ted, and Laine and Caitlin Pitcher.
Also surviving are great-grandchildren Michael and Mitchell Pluid; Jordan, Jared and Mackenzie Mendenhall; Kiefer, Eli, Trey and Atley Gibson; Joshua and fiancé Michelle; Lucas, Jacob, Ty and Kaileen Erickson; C.J. Smith; Nathan, Tina and Matthew Cokenour; and Samantha and Brandon Schmitz; and great-great-grandchild Aberlynn Erickson.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864, or the Restorium Memorial Trust Fund, P.O. Box 419, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 83805
Family and friends may sign Myrta book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.