Myrta Marie Kjos

Myrta Marie Balsemer Kjos was born on June 20, 1928, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. She passed away at the Extended Care Facility in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on January 26, 2010. Myrta's funeral services were held at the Free Methodist Church on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 2:00 in the afternoon. Myrta's parents were Emil and Josephine (Wilson) Balsemer. Myrta and her brother Edwin were raised in Kent’s Gulch where they helped on the family farm which consisted of orchards, hay, pigs and milk cows. She was a country girl and could often be seen either walking to school, which was located on the South side of town, or her dad would be taking her to school riding their farm wagon pulled by a team of horses. Myrta's family never owned a car and were the last ones in the county to give up their team and wagon. As a young woman Myrta worked as a waitress at a local restaurant. She married Burnen Kjos in November of 1946 and were married for 63 years. The couple had 5 children. Myrta devoted her time to her home and family. She did not learn to drive until she was in her 20's and often she would load her "then" 4 children in her car and "practice" driving around the Maas Loop Road. She enjoyed going fishing in the mountains, huckleberry picking, playing yahtzee, bingo and doing ceramics. Burnie and Myrta also enjoyed taking long rides around the beautiful country side. Myrta was preceded in death by her beloved husband Burnie, mother and father and brother Edwin. She is survived by her sons and daughters, Marva and husband Beloit Mendenhall of Bonners Ferry, ID, Larry Kjos of Blanchard, ID, Steve and wife Nina Kjos of Priest River, ID, Kevin and wife Gloria Kjos of Bonners Ferry, ID, Linda and husband Chuck Pitcher of Whitefish, MT; special friend Tom Copeland; grandchildren, David Mendenhall, Lisa and her husband Mike Pluid, Ron and wife Heidi Mendenhall, Jacob Kjos, Kriss and husband Andy Gibson, Lori and husband Oscar Erickson, Teri and husband Carl Smith, Todd and wife Joy Schmitz, Tonya and husband Ted Cokenour, Laine and Caitlin Pitcher; great-grandchildren, Michael and Mitchell Pluid, Jordan, Jared and Mackenzie Mendenhall, Kiefer, Eli, Trey and Atley Gibson, Joshua and fiancé Michelle, Lucas, Jacob, Ty and Kaileen Erickson, CJ Smith, Nathan, Tina and Matthew Cokenour, Samantha and Brandon Schmitz and great, great-grandchild, Aberlynn Erickson. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or the Restorium Memorial Trust Fund, P.O. Box 419, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805 Family and friends are invited to sign Myrta book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.