Merle Kelso

Beloved Merle Marilee Kelso, 84, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away June 22, 2015 at Kootenai Health of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. She was born November 30, 1930 in Kellogg; Merle was the daughter of William and Ruby (Moe) Sanders.

Merle has lived in this area all of her life. She attended grade school at the Pleasant Hill Grade School near Medimont, where she first met Meredith, her childhood friend and later in life her sweetheart and husband. Merle then attended the Rose Lake High School.

Merle married Meredith Kelso in October of 1947 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

Merle was a homemaker and seamstress. She co-owned and managed The Unique Boutique of Coeur d’ Alene for several years; items sold in this boutique were all special hand-made and sewn items made by Merle and other ladies of this store.

Merle was a member of the ODO Club. She loved and enjoyed her family, sewing, quilting, knitting and crafts. Merle had made all of her daughters clothes and had also made complete wardrobes for her daughters special dolls.

Merle is survived by her husband of sixty-seven years Meredith Kelso of the family home of Pinehurst; four daughters Sharon (Gary) Hoffman of Post Falls, Idaho, Kathy Kelso of Spokane, Washington, Lynn (Del) Enquist of Pinehurst, Idaho and Laurie (Chuck) Roberts of Osburn, Idaho; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; one sister Bonnie Standahl of Maple Valley, Washington; numerous nieces and nephews including Linda, Sandy, John and David; two cousins Beverly and Anne. Merle was preceded in death by her sister Carol and one niece Janet.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Pinehurst with Rev. Ken Bartle officiating.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone County Food Bank, P.O. Box 85, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.

---