Christine Earl Clayton Vosen

Christine Earl Clayton Vosen was born Aug. 2, 1917, in Spokane, Wash., the daughter of Earl and Mariam Clayton. She died June 30, 2008 in Sandpoint, Idaho, from complications following a stroke.

Her early childhood years were spent on the Blue C Ranch near Heron, Mont. The family moved to Sandpoint in 1921, where she attended grade school. When the family moved back to the Blue C Ranch, Christine worked for her room and board while attending high school in Sandpoint, graduating in 1937.

During her school years, Christine won many poster and drawing contests, and was the staff artist for the Sandpoint High School newspaper and yearbook.

After high school she worked for the Drury family in Moscow, Idaho, while attending the University of Idaho. When Dr. Drury was transferred, she was invited to come with the family to California and continue working for them as a housekeeper and cook while pursuing her college studies.

She attended Marin Junior College for about a year, majoring in art. Then she married Harold Durham in 1939 and had two children, Harold Clayton and Mariam Phoebe. While in California she managed an apartment house. The marriage ended in divorce.

Christine completed her college studies at the University of Idaho in Moscow, graduating in 1945 with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught high school for a year in Sandpoint, and then was offered a teaching position in Kellogg, Idaho.

While teaching in Kellogg she met the true love of her life, Ralph Alexander Vosen. After a three-month courtship, they were married on May 31, 1947 and Ralph adopted her children as his own.

In 1948, the family moved to Spokane, Wash., where they resided for 24 years. While in Spokane another daughter, Rosemary Lynn, was born in 1956.

Christine was a dedicated teacher for more than 30 years for District 81 of the Spokane, Wash., Public School system, teaching grade school and art classes, and high school biology. She belonged to the Spokane Science Teachers Association, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and the American Association of University Women. During these years she also earned two additional graduate degrees - a master's degree in education from Whitworth College and a master's degree in science from Holy Names.

In 1972, Christine and Ralph and their daughter Rosemary, moved to a small acreage near Four Lakes, Wash. Then in 1985 Christine and Ralph moved to the Colville area to be closer to family. Christine was an active volunteer there in the Mt. Carmel Hospital Auxiliary and the Colville museum, and belonged to the Homemakers Club , the Christian Women's organization and the Big Sky Arts Club. She and her husband, Ralph attended the Colville Evangelical Free Church for many years.

She was a talented watercolor artist with many pieces of her work shown and sold in Spokane and the Colville area. In addition to her art, she also enjoyed baking and canning. She won many ribbons and awards at the Stevens County fair for her cooking skills and artwork. She liked to go on hikes and picnics, and especially enjoyed going huckleberry picking with family or friends. She had the gift of hospitality and made any visitor feel welcome in her home.

Christine and Ralph lived on Williams Lake Road near Colville for more than 22 years until health problems necessitated their move to Life Care Center of Sandpoint in January of this year.

Christine will be greatly missed by husband, Ralph, at the Life Care Center in Sandpoint; children, Harold (Lynne) Vosen of Heron, Rosemary (Dave) Daniel of Metaline Falls, Wash., and Phoebe Daniels of Spokane, Wash.; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Elinor Compton of Heron and Elsie Chapman of Harrisburg, Pa., as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cremation services were provided by Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho, and a graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 3 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) at the cemetery in Heron. There will be a potluck supper at the Heron Methodist Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Christine's name to the Heron Methodist Church, P.O. Box 322, Heron, MT 59844