Jerre Caroline Stemmene

Jerre Caroline Stemmene (86) passed away on September 19, 2014 at the Boundary County Nursing Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00pm at the Eagles in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Jerre was born on November 25, 1927 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Charles Fremont (Mont) Snodgrass and Mary (Shea) Snodgrass. She moved with her family from Colorado to the Copeland area in 1935. She attended school in Copeland and Bonners Ferry and in 1973 earned her GED. Earning her GED was very important to her, because at the time she grew up, an education was not considered important for a woman. Jerre married Edgar Stemmene on September 16, 1944 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Her first job was during WWII and because she had a job she got a brand new bicycle. During that time almost everything was rationed so you had to have a real need to get any-thing extra. Transportation to and from her job was considered a real need. She worked for her good friend and employer, Violet Lande, at the Commercial Hotel and City Center Motel in Bonners Ferry as a Phone Operator, Check-in-Clerk, and Maid in the late 50’s into the 70’s. She went to work as a Cook for the Restorium in the early 80’s until she retired in 1995. Jerre told us a story about when she & her 2 sisters were little girls. She said at the time she had no idea how much our parents sacrificed, but realized when she was an adult and went thru difficult times herself. One Christmas there wasn’t much money, but somehow our par-ents made sure each of the 3 girls had a new doll and a new housecoat under the tree. Jerre has always kept track of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She knew what you were doing at school (sports, arts, activities). She knew how your job was going (promotions, extra activities, etc.). When you were married, when your children were born, and later what your children were doing. She made a beautiful Scrap Book that the whole family will enjoy. She loved spending time with her family; going to concerts, going to movies, traveling, and taking care of her flowers. Whatever we were doing, we always had fun. Jerre was a kind and loving person, and was much loved. She will be missed. She always made us laugh. Jerre was preceded in death by her Parents; Mont and Mary Snodgrass, Husband; Edgar Stemmene. Sons; Larry, and Mike Stemmene, Daughter; Tamera Stemmene, Sisters; Anne Galbraith, and Shirley (Hawks) Pedey. She is survived by Daughter and Son-in-Law; Carol and Ron Grove, Son; Wilmer (Bill) Stemmene, Sisters; Francis Dunn and Vicki (Kevin) McNally, Brother; Jack Snodgrass, Brother-in-Law; Bernard Stemmene, Grandchildren; Denise (Fred) Maas, and Linda Manley, Great Grandchildren; Zachary Maas, Brenna Maas, David Willems, and Miranda Pierce, Great Great Grandchildren; Brayden and Ethan Pierce. Numerous Nieces and Nephews. Family and friends are invited to sign Jerre’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.