Eila L. Akre, 81

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, the good Lord took her home on Jan. 25, 2010, after battling renal failure.

Born March 14, 1928, on her parents’ farm in Granite Falls, Minn.,, Eila was raised in Granite Falls and she graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1946.

She married in 1947 the love of her life, Reuben W. Akre. Farming became their livelihood until 1957 when they moved the family to North Idaho and started a logging operation.

The last 13 years Eila and Reuben have split their retirement years between their home in Priest River, Idaho, and in Yuma, Ariz. Eila was always busy with her hands, raising five children, baking, crafts, keeping the books for the logging operations. The last years her passion was creating beautiful quilts.

Loving, caring person, with strong Christian beliefs, being involved in Anna’s Circle and Joy in the Morning best describes Eila. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Eila is survived by her husband of 62 years, Reuben W. Akre, and five children and their spouses, Ron, Duane (Sue), Peggy Smith (Van), Cyndi Grady (Mike), and Dean (Sandy); her grandchildren, Nicole Akre, Bonny Grady, Spencer Smith, Cassie Akre, Matt Smith, Marcie Grady, Brittany Smith, R.C. Akre, and Rachel Akre; a great-grandson, Chad Smith; her sisters, Diann Graham, and Lois Hahn. Eila was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Lydia (Schmidt) Kirschbaum; and a brother, James Kirschbaum.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Newport Cemetery and a memorial service at 2 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church. Viewing at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home will be on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home and Crematory in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.sherman-knapp.com.