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Sandra 'Sandee L. (Warren) Smith, 74

| April 14, 2021 1:00 AM

Sandra “Sandee” L. (Warren) Smith, 74, passed away peacefully at her home on December 15, 2020, with her husband and daughter by her side.

Sandee was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on October 10, 1946. When she was 12, her parents divorced, and she moved from Sandpoint to Grandview, Washington, with her mom and two younger brothers to live with her maternal grandparents.

After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved back to Sandpoint and attended the Sandpoint School of Hair Design. She married Cleadis Gunter in the spring of 1966. Soon after, they welcomed their son, Jimmy, followed 16 months later by their daughter, Kim. Upon her divorce from Cleadis in 1979, she and her two kids moved to Hope, Idaho, where she married her second husband, Rex “Al” Walrath. They divorced in 1985. In October of 1991, she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Smith. They married less than three months later, and remained inseparable throughout their nearly 29 years of marriage. He was by her side until her last breath.

Throughout her adult life she worked at various hair salons and watering holes in the Sandpoint/Bonner County area. She also owned and operated her own hair salon, “Shear Magic,” from 1987 to 1998. In 2002 she began working for Wendy Rucker at A New Age Hair Salon in Ponderay, Idaho. She remained there until her retirement in 2016.

Sandee was an active member the Eagles Organization for over 35 years. While there, she volunteered countless hours to help raise money for various charities and for those in need. She took her membership very seriously often receiving the highest scores possible during competitions and rituals. She also held all seven office positions at both the local and state level within the Eagles organization. Her greatest accomplishment was when she was elected Madam State President of the Idaho State Eagles Auxiliary in 2014. During her year as Madam State President she travelled throughout Idaho raising money for her chosen charity. She was an active member of the Eagles until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2016. During the last four years of her life she survived breast cancer and colon cancer, but ultimately passed as a result of long-term diabetes.

She will be fondly remembered by her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and generous heart. She could light up a room with her beautiful smile, and she continuously strived to make others feel better. She taught her children to be kind, and to always stick up for the underdog. She loved her family and friends, and made each of them feel special. Her children and her husband were her best friends, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Sandee is survived by her husband, James W. Smith of Sagle, Idaho; her daughter, Kimberlee Gunter of Sagle; her brother, James Warren of Kootenai, Idaho; her daughter-in-law, Angel Gunter of Sagle; her previous daughter-in-law, Lisa Seward of Sagle; her stepsons from her current marriage, Gary and Keith Smith; her step-sons from her second marriage, Michael and Joseph Walrath; her grandchildren, Nancy Hartsock, Jacob Gunter, Joseph (Genevieve) Gunter, Billy Eveland, and Alison Seward; and her great-grandchildren, Jayden Mcghee, Believe Hartsock, Charley Gunter, and Waylon Gunter; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Sandee was proceeded in death by her grandparents, Ralph and Verda Hanson; her parents, Frank and Edith Warren; her brother, Dennis Warren,;her older sister, Kay (who was born in 1940 and sadly passed away as an infant); her son, James O. Gunter; and her granddaughter, Hanna Olivia Seward.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eagles Lodge, 1511 John Hudon Lane, in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Saturday, May 1, 2020, at 12 p.m. Finger foods will be provided after the service.

Family and friends are invited to sign Sandee’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.