Lela Jane Northup, 94

Lela Jane Northup, 94, passed away early morning on Aug. 12, 2022, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Jane, as she preferred to be called, was born July 29, 1928, in Waco, Texas to John and Bertha Latimer, the fourth of nine children.

During World War II, one of Jane's brothers brought home a friend and soldier for dinner and Jane met Frank Northup. The war ended and the two married with the couple returning to Frank's hometown of Broadbent, Ore. Frank went to work as a logger and Jane was the traditional homemaker with the family soon increasing with three daughters. Unfortunately, in 1958, Frank was killed in a logging accident, leaving Jane a widow. While family urged her to come back to Texas, she remained in Oregon.

After the two older girls left home, Jane went back to school gaining skills she needed to work for BLM. She was a skillful typist, a skill prized in that generation. She remained with BLM with an advance to the Coos Bay office until retirement. She considered Frank to be the love of her life and never desired another relationship.

With retirement Jane moved to Clark Fork, Idaho, to be closer to her youngest daughter. She was a faithful believer saved by the grace of our Lord, attending Heron Baptist, and later Clark Fork Baptist Church, making lifelong friends. After falling in the shower in her 80s Jane was unable to return to her residence, and Life Care of Sandpoint became her "home" until passing.

She was preceded in death by husband, Frank; great-granddaughter, Quinn; and daughter, Charlotte Pearce.

Jane leaves behind daughter, Sharon (Doug) Burman; son-in-law James Pearce; and daughter, Delores (Layne) Matthews, seven grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Private graveside services will be held in Oregon (Jane buried by Frank) on Aug. 23 and a memorial will be held at Clark Fork Baptist Church at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Clark Fork Baptist Church.