Marian J Karnes Halverson Melior, 99

Marian J Karnes Halverson Melior passed away on March 14, 2013, at the Boundary County Nursing Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with reception after.

There will be no graveside services but you are welcome to visit Marian’s grave at Grandview Cemetery where her final resting place is beside her husband, Clarence Halverson.

Marian J. Karnes was born in Gray Eagle, Minn., on Oct. 31, 1913, to Lee James Karnes and Lucinda Call.

Marian was the oldest of five siblings, which included Mabel, Ruby, Lloyd and James Karnes. Ruby, Lloyd and Mabel and her son Donald preceded her in death. Donald passed away on Sept. 18, 2011.

Marian spent her early years in the Gray Eagle, Minn., area, where she attended early elementary school. The family then moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, and finally arrived in the valley area of Boundary County. Marian attended Bonners Ferry High School.

In 1931 Marian married Kenneth Dehlbom. Kenneth was working in construction so they lived in numerous places throughout Montana, Washington, Idaho and Utah. Three children were born to this union, Eugene Kenneth, Donald Lee and Eileen Marian. Marian and Kenneth divorced and Marian moved to Copeland, Idaho, with her children in 1947.

She was a postmaster at the Copeland Post Office and also a cook at the Copeland School during those years.

In 1949 Marian met and married Clarence Halverson, who was a part- owner of the Triangle Service Station. With this marriage a family was blended which included Rosalie Halverson and Roger Halverson.

Before long Marian was answering to the call of “mom” from five children, ranging in age from 5 to 17, not to mention the many neighbor kids that were in and out along with extended family.

She was very busy, working at the Triangle Service Station, canning and cooking for the large family. After the Triangle was sold she started cooking at the Mount Hall Elementary School.

Marian and Clarence moved to Bonners Ferry for a few years and she worked as a meat cutter and JC Penny during that time. They eventually moved back to their original home site at the Triangle Junction where Marian went back to cooking at the Mt. Hall Elementary School until her retirement.

Clarence passed away on April 1, 1980, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Marian was active with the Pythian Sisters, the Democratic Party and the Trinity Lutheran Church, along with her church Circle group. She had many close friends and was always busy helping in her organizations, driving neighbors to Spokane for medical care and working in the community.

In 1989 Marian met a former high-school friend, Wallace Melior. They were married the same year. At that time they moved to Eastport where Wally had some property. In their 80s, they built a log house overlooking the Moyie River. In 1998 the distance from services had become too much for them so Marian bought a home in Bonners Ferry and they moved back to town. Wallace died in 2005.

Marian passed away at Bonners Ferry Extended Care where she had received excellent care since July 2008.

Marian leaves behind her children, Eugene Dehlbom and Barbara; Rosalie Halverson, Roger Halverson and Charlene, Eileen Taylor and Larry. She leaves behind grandchildren Judith Reghr, Michael Dehlbom, Gerrie Wood, Pam Sheffler, Donell Dehlbom, Brent Dehlbom, Darla Nuss, Nydel Wall, Allen Lewis, Tammie Roberts, Holly Pauling, Keith Halverson, Amy Knowles, Eric Halverson, Brian Slish and Grant Slish.

She also leaves numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. We will all miss our mother, Grandma and Grandma Idaho.

Family and friends are invited to sign Marian’s book at http://www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.