Emma Lorena Kedish

Emma Lorena Kedish, 91, of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away on Sept. 14, 2022, surrounded by love, holding the hand of her beloved granddaughter. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, at the Pack River Cemetery.

Emma was born June 7, 1931, in Ponderay, Idaho, to Luther Martin and Lillian Piatt (Reed). She would eventually be joined by two younger brothers, Blaine and Delman.

Due to her mother’s health, Emma would be partly raised by her grandmother, Hattie Reed. They enjoyed canning vegetables from the garden and singing together; it was a home full of love. In the summertime, all three kids would join their father in logging camps. Playing in the woods and learning how to play poker were some of Emma’s fondest childhood memories.

However, the greatest story of all was the love she shared with her husband, Lewis Kedish. The first time Lewis saw Emma, it was a sight he would never forget. She wasn’t dressed up in her Sunday best or catching his eye in a chance encounter passing on the street. The first time Lewis saw Emma she was running barefoot in her nightgown, across a field, with curlers in her hair heading to her grandmother’s house. This was Emma’s every-morning routine. Hurry to grandmother’s house to do her hair. Lewis was instantly smitten. He eventually won her over with his charm and striking good looks. The two would wed on Aug. 7, 1947, and spend the next 72 years always by each other’s side.

Emma and Lewis shared many adventures. They would raise a family of four boys and, later, one daughter — Gary, Dale, Duane, James and Patti. The early years found them living in Alaska, where Lewis drove trucks in Prudhoe Bay, building the Alaskan Pipeline. Some of Emma’s favorite memories of Alaska were the beautiful scenery and a particular day of fishing with Lewis, when they were notified by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game that the river was closed — even to them. Many years later, Emma would still laugh, remembering how quickly Lewis tried to hide the fishing poles before getting caught. Even in their later years, Emma would still find humor in Lewis’ stubborn ways and disregard for rules and authority.

No matter where they went, Idaho was always home. They created a life together just north of Sandpoint. Lewis and Emma lived the rest of their remaining years together gardening, chasing grandchildren and enjoying the great outdoors. Emma enjoyed sitting on her front porch surrounded by her beautiful flowers and many hummingbirds. She was a talented quilt-maker and an avid reader. She loved her country music and reminiscing about the earlier days of dancing with Lewis at the Oden Grange Hall.

Even with all her adventures, her most treasured one was the love she shared with Lewis. Even as old age and ailments began to take their toll, the two of them would only be separated temporarily by Lewis’ passing in 2019. Their love for each other had no limits and was their greatest legacy of all. Her family finds peace in knowing that the two are together again.

Emma will be remembered as a woman that led her life with love, guided by an incredibly kind heart, a never-ending sense of humor and a joyous love of animals and flowers. She was a strong woman and she was loved deeply. She will be extremely missed.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Martin and Lillian, her Grandmother Hattie, sister-in-law Nancy, and her great-grandson Garrett. She leaves behind her sons, Gary (Nora), Dale (Donna), Duane (Chris), James (Chris) and daughter Patti, brothers Blaine Piatt and Delman (Rita) Piatt along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Emma’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.