Claribel Dorothy Hays, 89

Claribel Dorothy Hays, 89, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at her home in Clark Fork, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Claribel was born on Jan. 17, 1919, in Hysham, Mont., the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Downer) Fredericks. She grew up in the area, attended local schools and graduated from high school. Following high school, she married Robert E. Hays on May 25, 1936 in Forsyth, Mont.

She lived and ranched with her husband in Sarpy Creek, Mont., moved to Kila, Mont., in 1944 and moved to Clark Fork in 1947, raising sheep and dairy cows on their ranch.

Claribel cooked meals for the lumberjacks in the area logging camps in the early days and moved to Walla Walla, Wash., working for the Blue Mountain Boys Ranch. They moved to Prosser, Wash., where Robert worked for Horse Heaven Hills and Claribel worked in the school and the church. They returned to Clark Fork in 1997 and were married for 64 years prior to her husband's passing in 2000.

Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, cooking, fishing, gardening and also loved the outdoors.

Survivors include a daughter, Betty Jean (Barry) Sage of Edgewood, Wash.; sons, Robert E. (Fay-Elyn) Hays of Clark Fork, Mitchell (Peggy) Hays of Echo, Ore., and Harold R. (Jan) Hays of Ponderay; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild; as well as numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; six brothers and four sisters; a daughter, Marjorie; and grandson, Michael Ebert.

Memorials may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, Id., The First Baptist Church in Clark Fork or the Clark Fork schools.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Claribel's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.