Patricia A. Madden

Patricia Ann Madden went to be with our Lord the morning of June 7, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. Patricia departed this world at home, attended by her three children, her special love, Savanah Rose and several other of her loving family. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 11th, 2011, at Crossroads Chapel, 6525 Jackson Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Patricia was born December 23, 1935, in Springville, California in the home built by her grandfather. She lived in Springville and attended Springville Elementary thru 8th grade, then attended Porterville High School and Porterville College where she majored in business. She later went on to work at Porterville State hospital where she obtained her Psychiatric Technician’s License. Patricia married Earnest Rutherford in 1955 and had three children, Karrol Ann, Steven Edward and Daniel Christopher. She and Earnest divorced in 1969. She later married her true love, Matthew Madden, and together they had Kristie Lynne. In 1974 they followed their dear friend John Wells north to Bonners Ferry, Idaho where they began a new life here in God’s Country. Once in Idaho, Patricia continued her career in nursing and in later years her care-giving skills became a gift to those in need. Most important to her was the ten years of care she provided her mother in her own home before her passing in 2006. Patricia’s faith and love of God was apparent in the way she lived her life and she strove to be an example to her family and those around her. All those who knew her were touched by this. She’s been a member of Crossroads Chapel since its inception and was very involved in the inner workings of the church. She will be dearly missed by her Crossroads Family. She had many passions; among them a love for gardening, crocheting and letter writing. She was well practiced in the later, having written a letter to her husband, Matthew, virtually every day of his thirteen months in Vietnam. Patricia lovingly adorned each new addition to her growing family with his or her own baby afghan, providing each with their first cherished family heirloom. She also had a love for camping, fishing and spending time with her family and loved ones. Patricia was preceded in death by her soulmate, Matthew Madden; father, Harold Espich; mother, Bernice Henson; son, Steven Rutherford; son-in-law, Larry Mendenhall and brother, Harold Henson. She is survived by her children: daughter, Karrol Johnson, husband Richard and family, of Willow, Alaska; son, Daniel Rutherford and wife Deann, of Victor, Montana; daughter, Kristie Mendenhall-Burney, husband Randy Burney and granddaughter Savannah, of Bonners Ferry, ID; widowed daughter-in-law, Cassandra Rutherford-Ekberg, husband Andrew Ekberg and family, of Bonners Ferry; as well as eleven addition grandchildren, and twenty-six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. For those who prefer, in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Crossroads Chapel. Patricia was the Matriarch of the Rutherford-Madden family. Her legacy will live on in the lives of her children and their children for generations to come. She will be dearly missed. Family and friends are invited to sign Pat’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.