Peggie Jean Stedman, 95, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
She was born Aug. 22, 1921, in the home of her maternal grandparents at Lookout, Idaho, the second of four children of Raleigh and Lora Jean Brackett Albright. Peggie was raised on the family farm between Arrow Junction and Juliaetta, where she worked alongside her parents and siblings raising turkeys and watermelons. Her daddy called her "Shiny" because of her sparkling eyes. She attended elementary school at Pilot Rock near Juliaetta and later she and her brother, Jim, drove back and forth to Lewiston daily to attend Lewiston High School. Her classmate Marion Shinn remembers meeting her as a shy little ninth-grader who had just turned 13 and was the youngest student in her class.
After graduating from high school in 1938, she attended Lewiston State Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College), earning her degree in education. She taught school at Cameron and Lewiston. Peggie met a handsome young man from southern Idaho, George Stedman. Their courtship was interrupted by World War II. George joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. Upon his return home after the war, they married on Jan. 27, 1946, and began their family, which grew to include five children, 10 grandchildren and 22 (so far) great-grandchildren.
Peggie and George were uniquely suited for each other. Peggie became a homemaker and shouldered the responsibility of caring for their five children and tending a large garden and various farm animals, while George shouldered the responsibility of launching their family business, Inland Auto Glass. Early in their marriage, they determined that faithful attendance at Sunday school and church would be a family priority. Peggie had a simple and unquestioning belief in the love and faithfulness of God, and she nurtured that belief in each of her children. For nearly 70 years, that faith has been the guiding force in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and is now molding the lives of her great-grandchildren.
Peggie and George lived in the Lewiston Orchards for a few years before moving to a small farm in Hubbard Gulch (Cherrylane). In 1957, they bought land at Spalding, where they built their beautiful home on the Clearwater River and enjoyed life together until George passed away in 2003. She often said, "George left me too soon." Peggie continued to live in their home alone until just the last few years, when she needed extra care.
Peggie was a fearless woman who raised fearless children. She had a soft voice but a hearty laugh. Her hands were strong enough to kill a rattlesnake and hoe a garden, but tender enough to cuddle a kitten or tend a wounded bird. Her children always felt her love but also felt the sting of the switch she kept on top of the fridge. She encouraged her grandkids to "go outside and get dirty," but also spent hours in her rocking chair reading them stories. She wasn't overly sentimental, but she gave the tightest hugs. She could make homemade bread with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back, must-go soup from any combination of leftovers that needed to be used up, and a skinny pie and huckleberry parfait fit for kings. She was a strong woman and a gentle grandma. She delighted in a good argument but spared no time for complaining or complainers. She spoke honestly to your face and kind words behind your back.
Peggie was a member of the Lapwai Presbyterian Church and the Mayflower Society. She also served on the Nez Perce County Library Board. She loved gardening and picking berries. She was creative and artistic and enjoyed painting and making quilts and braiding rugs. She was particularly skilled at tatting.
Peggie is survived by her five children - Mark Stedman (Sheryl) and their children, Josh (Rachel), Luke (Robbie), Sigrun (Billy) and Trevor (Natalie); Yolonda Feller (Ed) and their son, Henry; Kirk Stedman (Kristy) and their children, Jason (Vanessa) and Nikki (Dan); Raleigh Stedman (Lori) and their son Tyson (Michelle); and Bret Stedman (Suzie) and their children, Jaime (Caleb) and Jeremy (Kathy). Peggie also is survived by her brother, Rolan Albright of Roundup, Mont., and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her siblings, Bonnie Hayton of Cos Cob, Conn., and James Albright of Spalding.
The family would like to thank Shelly Heaton of Care Connection and Amy Knapp and the staff at Unique Senior Care for the loving assistance they provided Peggie and her family during the past few years.
Please join the family for a memorial service to honor Peggie's remarkable life at 10:30 a.m. April 22 at Abundant Life Church, 1483 16th Ave., Clarkston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Life Choices Clinic, 2020 12th Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501.
