Patricia Ann Spain
Friday, June 22, 2007 11:08 AM PDT
Aug. 3, 1929 - June 18, 2007
Patricia Ann Spain, 77, Fruitland, passed away Monday, June 18, 2007, at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise.
She was born in Tacoma, Wash., Aug. 3, 1929, to Henry and Ethel Gellenbeck.
Patricia moved to Pollock, Idaho, at the age of 9 with her family. She attended school in Riggins, Idaho, and graduated at the age of 16, in 1946.
After two years of college from Seattle University, she came back to Pollock and taught elementary school for two years.
During that time, she married Kirk Spain, July 2, 1949, at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, in Riggins. She and Kirk were the first couple married in that church. Her husband was a rancher and worked at the Riggins Saw Mill until he became disabled.
Patricia then became the postmaster of Pollock Post Office in 1962, until her retirement in 1992.
Patricia had a deep love for her family and a faithful devotion to her loving God and Catholic community.
She enjoyed painting, gardening, geology, crocheting and shared an appreciation for all God’s creations.
Patricia was a loving and giving soul who never met a stranger. Many an evening was shared with neighbors and friends on Patricia’s front porch listening to the river or watching a thunderstorm.
All who were blessed to know her will forever be touched by her humor and kindness.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kirk, of 50 years and her brothers, Edward Gellenbeck and Frank Gellenbeck.
Patricia is survived by four children, Dr. Francis Spain and wife Michelle, Moscow, Idaho; Helen Spain, Fruitland; Barbara Stewart and husband Mike, Moscow; and Kelton Spain and wife Kris, New Plymouth; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Gellenbeck, Pennington, N.J.; four grandchildren, Tracy Miller, Denver, Todd Stewart, Moscow, Dr. Christopher Spain, Denver, and Kayla Spain, New Plymouth; two great-grandchildren, Cole Miller, Denver, and Sam Stewart, Moscow; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass for Patricia will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2007 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, Riggins.
Burial will follow in the Riggins Cemetery under the direction of the Heikkila Funeral Chapel, McCall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Riggins Cemetery Fund, c/o Patty Solberg, P.O. Box 391, Riggins, ID, or Heart ‘n Home Hospice and Pallative Care of Fruitland, ID, 1100 N.W. 12th Street, Fruitland, ID.
Alma wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:22 PM:
Im so very proud of you, you did AMAZING!! Yet still very young and have years to improve, which seems scary. I know grandpa was cheering for you, chanting #1, #1... Keep up the great work kido. "