GRANGEVILLE -- Caroline Ida Frei died Friday, April 6, 2007, of natural causes at Grangeville Health and Rehab Center.
She was born May 26, 1914, in Cottonwood, the fifth of 11 children, to John and Mary (Brockhause) Wemhoff. The family lived on a farm two miles north of Cottonwood, where she attended grade school and graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy.
Following high school she worked at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston until her marriage to Alphons Frei Jan. 29, 1935.
They lived in Craigmont for one year and Greencreek for six years before settling on a farm in Grangeville.
Caroline had a deep faith and was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and an active member in the Altar Society for many years. She enjoyed playing cards, her sewing group and traveling, which included trips to Europe, Hawaii and many parts of the United States. She was a loving mother to her nine children and a devoted wife to Al. Her example of faith and love are an inspiration to our entire family. She was a wonderful cook with a cookie jar that was always full, a good listener and always ready to offer support. We will miss her.
Caroline is survived by her sons, Ron and wife Glenda, Gerald and wife Jan, Mike and wife Jana, Rick and wife Debbie, all of Grangeville, and David and wife Ann of Weiser, Idaho; daughters, Kathy and husband Terry Lacey of Dublin, Calif., and Helen and husband John Scrivner of Spokane; daughters-in-law, Barbara (Jim) of Grangeville and Marilyn (Leroy) of Spokane; 39 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Schmidt and Agnes Scharnhorst, both of Cottonwood, and Helen Romain of Spokane.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al; sons, Jim and Leroy; her parents; brothers, Lawrence, Willy, August, Lee, and Frank; and sisters, Margaret Arnzen and Gertrude Baune.
Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. The funeral Mass will be celebrated with the Rev. Brad Neely at 11 a.m. Friday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church or Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic school in Grangeville.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: Blackmer Funeral Home, 305 N. Mill, Grangeville, ID 83530 or www.Blackmerfu neralhome.com
