Lura Alice Dinning
Lura Alice Dinning went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 12. Services will be held on Nov. 19, at the Free Methodist Church at 4 p.m. The service will be followed by a hosted dinner at the Chic ‘n Chop.
Lura was born on May 11, 1931 to Charles and Nellie Washburn. She was the tenth of eleven children that the couple were blessed with. Lura spent her childhood out in the country of Boundary County near Deep Creek. She would fondly recall how she had discovered a truck load of unsold cherries which had been dumped into the creek. Lura ran home to tell her older sisters of her find. They agreed to look, however Lura was told that she would get a woopin’ if she had lied. Sure enough the cherries were in the creek turning the water a bright red color. Lura and her family took the cherries, canned them, and enjoyed them throughout the winter.
Lura married the love of her life, Gifford Dinning, on June 11, 1949. Gifford had just returned home from the Navy. Lura recalled how Gifford could really do the jitterbug on the dance floor.
The loving couple were blessed with three children: Randy, Phillip, and Maryln. They raised their children on a dairy farm in Copeland. Lura and her family spent many happy years living on the farm. Family and friends enjoyed coming to the farm for visits.
Lura had many jobs throughout her life. One of her most loved jobs was being a kindergarten teacher at the First Baptist Church. She was a waitress for many years at several restaurants in the Bonners Ferry area, which included going all the way back to a little cafe called The Bluebird. Lura also worked for numerous years cooking for children in the local school district.
Lura was a fun and caring person to spend time with. Lura and Gifford took in children and those that needed help at their farm. Lura loved to cook and share food with her friends and family.
She was famous for making divinity that was fluffy and always the right consistency. Her peanut brittle was simply the best. Also, Lura hosted many Sunday dinners after church services.
She was always ready for a game of cards or a ride in the car on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.
Lura was proceeded in death by Randy Dinning (son), Gifford Dinning (husband), Harriet Cameron (sister), Bessie McDonald Scott (sister), Lorraine Nieman Cossairt (sister), Marian Quitt (sister), Helen Davis (sister), Peggy Smith (sister), Bruce Washburn (brother), Howard Washburn (brother), and Don Washburn (brother).
She is survived by Betty and Leroy Kelson (sister/brother-in-law), Maryln and Dean Walston (daughter/son-in-law), Phillip and Judy Dinning (son/daughter-in-law), Rebecca and Eric Johnson (granddaughter/husband), Matt Dinning (grandson), numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are invited to sign Lura’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.