Genevieve Hilda Nelson, 85

Genevieve Liner Nelson, a more than 50-year resident of Idaho, passed quietly to God in Hayden, Idaho, in the early hours of June 15, 2023.

Genevieve was the younger daughter of Clifford S. Liner, a dairy farmer, and Margaret Anater Liner, a registered nurse. She was born in Sharon, Conn., on July 6, 1937. After her parents separated, she and her sister boarded with a family in the country, while their mother first worked as a live-in nurse in private homes, and later as a nurse in the Sharon, Conn., hospital.

In the late 1940s, mother and daughters traveled west by train to Sacramento, Calif., so as to live closer to the girls maternal grandmother and the extended Anater family.

Genevieve completed her elementary and secondary education in Sacramento. She continued to live there after her marriage to David Hare, with whom she raised three sons. The Hare family moved to Northern Idaho about 1969, where they enjoyed a natural beauty not so easily found in the city. Genevieve and Dave divorced, and in 1983, she married Barry Nelson. They had been married just short of 38 years at the time of Barry’s death in March 2021.

Genevieve is lovingly remembered as a very compassionate and artistic woman, with a great love of flowers and animals. Until her retirement, she was for many years the manager of the floral department at a Safeway store. At home, she religiously cultivated a beautiful garden, along with her beloved collection of orchids. As a young woman, she always cared for pet turtles. As an adult, she cherished her cats and her dogs, including her three standard poodles, “Sadie,” “Beau” and “Joy.” “Joy” who regularly accompanied Genevieve on her visits to the sick and shut-ins in local nursing homes, survives her.

Genevieve greatly enjoyed walking, usually accompanied by her sister and a much-loved poodle. She also was a long-time member of the “Monday Girls’ Hikers” Club. At different times in her life, she enjoyed bicycle riding, snow shoeing and horseback riding. For many years, Genevieve and Barry were active in delivering “Meals on Wheels.” Her prize-winning artistic gifts brought her local fame even as she was completing secondary school.

Her parents; her husband, Barry; her granddaughter, Misty Hare; and a stepdaughter preceded her in death. Her survivors include her three sons, Stephen Hare, Michael Hare (Candy) and Anam Folden (Tammy); her sister, Phyllis Kantola (Arne); five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a nephew and a niece; her first husband; three stepchildren; her step-grandchildren and many loving cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made in Genevieve’s name to an animal charity or to a charity of your choice.

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Rob Cook officiating.

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

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.