Neva Vess, 79

| May 21, 2022 1:00 AM

Neva Jeanne (Archer) Vess passed away at her home on December 10, 2021, in Spokane Valley, Washington.

Neva was born on October 14, 1942, the first daughter of Earl and Frances Archer and the second of five children. The family lived in Washington in the Pleasant Valley area outside Grand Coulee on a small farm, then moved to Pateros and lived above a beauty shop before settling in Electric City. When Neva was 14, the family moved to Idaho, settling in the Sandpoint area.

Neva was caring, outgoing, friendly, and fearless. During her senior year in high school, she was a contestant in the Miss Sandpoint pageant. For her "talent" she recited and performed a sketch of Tom Sawyer whitewashing a fence. She didn't win but, it didn't matter because her family was so very proud of her willingness to try.

Neva graduated from Sandpoint Senior High School in 1960.

After raising her three children, Neva went to work for Kootenai Medical Center and became a senior holter technician. She was exceptional at what she did and when reading a holter scan she could identify little irregularities and mark them for the doctors to take a second look at. Her observations proved to be very beneficial for the doctors and ultimately for the patients. KMC was very sorry to see her go when she retired.

Neva loved spending time with her family and friends, playing pinochle, gardening, home making, cooking, and reading. She had the most beautiful smile and gorgeous dimples, and she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Neva is survived by her husband of 33-plus years, Gale Vess; big brother, Earl "Chuck" Archer; three sisters, Rita James, Gayla Babcock and Debbie Ryd; two daughters, Laurie Weiss and Lisa Osborne; son, Bret LaPorte; stepdaughter, Tiffany Vess; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her niece, Tammy Bristow; and her stepson, Gavin Vess.

An "open house" memorial for Neva and Gavin is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, 2022, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Little Church in the Wildwood in the Sagle, Idaho, area. The church is located 9.1 miles from U.S. 95 down Sagle Road.