Aleatha May Sawhill, 94

Aleatha May Sawhill, 94, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at her home in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Aleatha was born Sept. 13, 1928, in Sandpoint, the daughter of Henry M. and Rowena U. Knudson. She lived in Sandpoint most of her life and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1948.

In 1949, Aleatha and Bob left for Los Angeles, Calif., where they attended the Lutheran Bible School. In 1950, they returned to Sandpoint and were married at the First Lutheran Church on Jan. 1, 1950. Shortly after that, Bob began working for Pack River Lumber Company. He stayed with the company for 40 years. They started their family in Sandpoint, where all five of their children were born. Sharon was born in 1951, Stan in 1952, Carolyn in 1953, Janet in 1964 and Larry in 1966. Aleatha was very proud of her family and her 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In their spare time, the Sawhills were busy building several houses in Sandpoint. They are still living in a house they built on Hickory Street 45 years ago.

Aleatha had a love for children, much of her time was spent caring for her family. She also had a daycare in her home and cared for several children in the area. She loved her kitchen and loved to bake her many pies, cakes, cookies and rolls. She also enjoyed doing big family dinners. She was also proud to live in a nice, friendly neighborhood, so she started a block watch program and enjoyed having many of her neighbors in her home for their monthly social get-togethers.

When Bob retired from Pack River Lumber Company, the Sawhills bought a motorhome and spent the next eight years as volunteers with the Laborers for Christ, a ministry of the LCMS. This ministry took them to several Lutheran churches in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Bob and Aleatha celebrated 73 years of marriage.

Aleatha is survived by son Stan (Gloria) Sawhill of Spokane; daughters Carolyn (John) Cotton of Rupert, Idaho, and Janet Sawhill of Sandpoint; grandson Brian Cotton; daughter-in-law Jirahbless Sawhill; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Sharon; son Larry; brother John; and her sister, Undean; and grandson Brian Cotton.

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

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.