Loie Jean DeLaVergne, 92
Loie Jean DeLaVergne, 92, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Sandpoint, Idaho.
A celebration of life will take place at Loie’s home to be planned at a later date.
Loie was born on April 24, 1930 in Toledo, Oregon, to Stanley and Mabel Beal. She grew up and attended schools in the Willamette Valley, graduating from high school in the class of 1948 in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Loie married James DeLaVergne on October 26, 1951, at the First Christian Church in Forest Grove, Oregon. She was a stay-at-home mother of four children (Michelle, Marc, Diane and Paul) until the 1960s when she began a job with Tektronix Inc in Beaverton, Oregon, at Tektronix, Inc. As a circuit board designer, she helped in the design of a circuit board for NASA that would measure the distance between the earth and the moon.
Loie began another interest in her life in the1970s, a passion and inspiration for gardening, which came from reading, sharing, buying and wandering through garden centers in the Willamette Valley. Loie had a thirst for knowledge about the natural world which led her to Alaska. Loie began acquiring extensive knowledge of plants in Latin names, identification, historical origins, botany and landscaping and then accepting a job in Alaska where she led tours of the region’s flora and fauna.
After moving to Sandpoint in 1996, her interest in gardening grew and later she became a Master Gardener. Since moving to Sandpoint, she has become immersed in the garden world of Bonner County offering garden tours, free giveaways, advice, and talks about her experiences/knowledge of plants and gardening.
Throughout all of her life experiences, Loie encouraged all to keep going no matter the challenges you face, open your horizons, and share your passions helping others so that you may leave this world a better place. Loie gave the gift to many the courage to live life well, be an inspiration to others, and be true to yourself. Loie will be missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her two daughters, Michelle (David) White of Beaverton and Diane (Mike) DeLaVergne-Allen of Chiloquin, Oregon; two sons, Marc (Joyce) DeLaVergne of Sagle, Idaho, and Paul DeLaVergne of Sandpoint; eight grandchildren, Amy, Erick, Bryan, Wade, Trevor, Daniel, Clairissa, and Aaron; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ellie, and Nayelie.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James DeLaVergne; and a sister, Margie Koennecke.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Loie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.