Dorice (Dottie) Leilani Urbin Thompson Bauman, 80

Dorice (Dottie) Leilani Urbin Thompson Bauman, 80, of Bonners Ferry, passed away on Thursday, May 22, at the Boundary Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at the Mountain Springs Church at 11 a.m. on June 7.

She was born in Hanna, Wyo., on July 2, 1933, to John and Adar Urbin. At 2 she, along with a sister, was adopted by George and Alice Thompson and moved to Greybull, Wyo.

In 1948 she married Earl (Bud) Merrifield and together they had five children: Lonnie Merrifield (Donna) Bonners Ferry; Arlene Schnuerle (John), Bonners Ferry; Karen French (Jim Blinzler), Clarkston, Wash.; Bruce Merrifield (Deanea), Bonners Ferry and Dee Crane (Leo), Orofino.

She always enjoyed her 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She is survived by her grandchildren, including Crystal, Heidi, Amy, Kevin, Holly, Ryan, Laurie, Kim, Michael, Jimmy, Jessica, Mathew, Stephani, Becky, Todd Great Grandchildren: Anna, Jacob, Isaac, Xander, Dillon, Alliah, Whitney, Hailey, Adelynn, Jordan, Easton, Bodee, Cameron, Reid, Mason, Jimmer, Valina, Kaylee, Jadyn, Adysn, Rebecca and Alyssa; great-great grandchild, Alex.

Dottie and Bud divorced and in 1981 married life long Bonners Ferry resident, Warren Bauman, with whom she spent 32 loving years. Together they had Sunrise Nursery and developed Sunrise Court. In their free time from their work, they enjoyed dancing. Warren was her best friend and comforted her through her battle with Parkinson’s. He was the ‘light of her life.’

Dottie took up painting and became a fine local artist and shared her paintings with her many friends and family. She always enjoyed working in her beautiful flowers and spening time with those she loved.

At the time of her death, she and her husband resided at Sunset Home near the Three Mile Junction. Her children are very thankful for the loving care she received while living there.

She is survived by her husband and all of her children, as well as her brother John Urban (Judy), Lubbock, Texas, and sisters Janie Peterson, Lewiston, Idaho, Connie Roller, Palm Desert, Calif., and Helen (Frank) Holcher, Casper, Wyo.

She will be missed by all who loved and knew her. Family and friends are invited to sign Dottie’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.