Caroline Louise Farnsworth

Caroline Louise Farnsworth passed away peacefully at her home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on Oct. 20, at the age of 94. Services will be held on Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church in Bonners Ferry. with interment in the Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

She was born to Lloyd and Louise Gauss in Norvell, Michigan on April 9, 1922. She married Al W. Farnsworth on July 13, 1949, in Grass Lake, Michigan. During their 67 years of marriage, they raised four children, moved 22 times during and after Al’s military service career, and traveled to or lived in 38 countries, including Japan, Germany, South America, Australia, the Holy Land, Africa, Russia and China.

Caroline began a career teaching in Napoleon, Michigan after graduating from Wester State Teacher’s College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She gave up teaching full time to raise her family. She carried a lifelong of teaching, and after retiring from full-time teaching, would often substitute wherever Al was stationed with the United States Air Force. Caroline’s life centered on her husband and family and she never failed to make each place the family moved a home. She always asked about each and every child, grandchild and great-grandchild when visiting on the phone.

Caroline was a pianist and quite an accomplished seamstress, teaching her daughters, Girl Scouts and officers’ spouses how to sew their own clothing. She was a gracious hostess and made friends wherever they traveled and lived. She always kept a meticulous address book, and never failed to correspond with everyone, bringing them up-to-date on the families’ adventures. After Al’s 30-year career with the Air Force, they made their home in Bonners Ferry in 1973. For 20 years Al and Caroline hosted a variety of groups and events at their cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. Caroline also played flute in the community orchestra for a few years after settling in Bonners Ferry. However, she will be remembered most by her children and grandchildren as a wonderful homemaker and an exceptionally good cook.

Caroline is preceded by her parents; two brothers, Fredrick Gauss and Lloyd Gauss, Jr., and her beloved son, Dennis. She is survived by her husband, Al; three daughters, Ann (George) Stowell, Kaye (Ric) Kalman, Sue Johnson; 7 grandchildren, Rachelle Farnsworth, Doug Farnsworth, Dennis Stowell, Adam Stowell, Scott Kalman, Michelle Kalman Tucker, Seth Johnson; and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bonners Ferry Hospital, or a charity of your choice.