Mary Van Etten

Mary Van Etten passed away July 19, 2021, at the Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry.

Mary was born Jan. 3, 1939, to Roy and Clista Copeland. She was raised in the Moravia area where she met the love of her life, John Van Etten. John and Mary were married on June 25, 1954.

Mary loved to work in the garden and in her flowers, especially her African violets. She liked doing anything outside and mostly in the dirt. She raised rabbits many years for meat and to sell at the Bargain Giant. She canned and made most of our food from scratch. She loved feeding the birds and squirrels.       

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, John, in 1997; son-in-law, Geno Mendenhall; and a daughter-in-law, Rose Van Etten; her friend, Les Ruff; parents, Clista and Roy; brothers, Delbert and Tom; and infant grandson, Isaac.   

She is survived by her children, Mary Ann (Bob) Tritt of Moyie Springs, Peggy Mendenhall of Bonners Ferry, John Van Etten of Ponderay, Connie (Orval) Gentry of Bonners Ferry, Leassa (Shane) Baker of Bonners Ferry, and Paul (Jody) Van Etten of Pinedale, Wyo.; sister, Linda Krasselt of Sagle; along with 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.     

There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the home of Bob and Mary Ann Tritt in Moyie Springs. Please bring a salad or a side dish and stories to tell.

Private family interment will be in the Moravia Cemetery.

The Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.