Gweneth Hoopes Roos, 98
Our beautiful mother and grandmother, Gweneth Hoopes Roos, 98, passed away peacefully Sept. 17, 2024, when she was happily reunited with her sweetheart and eternal companion, Wayne.
Gwen was born in Afton, Wyo., on Aug. 21, 1926, to Vernon and Izora Hale Hoopes. She was raised in a small log home in Fairview, Wyo., along with her brothers, Lloyd, Gerald, Keith, and Willard and her sisters, Lucile and Marilyn. This was during the time of the Great Depression, but her family did better than some as they ran a dairy farm and had a large garden. She shared stories about heating water on the stove for baths in a galvanized tub, having an outdoor privy complete with Sears Roebuck catalog, canning time, outdoor games, quilting bees, babies born at home, coal oil lamps, and an old crank phone on the wall.
She met Wayne in high school, and they later married June 27, 1944, while he was on leave from the Navy and serving in World War II. After the war, they made their home in Sandpoint, where they raised their six children.
Gwen had many talents. She pieced and quilted hundreds of quilts for her children and grandchildren, as well as for many in the community. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and embroidering. Her daughters fondly remember a new hand-sewn dress every Easter and Christmas. Many times, she made her own patterns. She canned all the fruit and vegetables from their large garden. These items often won blue ribbons at the county fair. She was very well organized and kept a clean, tidy home. Her children were proud to bring their friends home and would most likely be able to enjoy a slice of warm, freshly baked bread with homemade raspberry jam after school. She kept a beautiful flower garden and spent hours keeping it meticulously weeded.
The Roos home was filled with love and wonderful examples of service to neighbors and friends. Gwen actively served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Relief Society president, secretary, teacher, compassionate service leader, and Primary president and teacher. She was a member of the Busy Bees Club and served as treasurer for many years. She served on the election board and helped with voting. Wayne and Gwen taught their children responsibility. They worked, prayed, and played together. Her children fondly remember trips to the beach to swim and picnic, huckleberry picking, camping, and family trips to Star Valley, Wyo. She loved her family very much, and they all knew it and felt that love.
Gwen is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; a son, Vernon Hyrum Roos; grandsons Brian Wayne Marks and Eric Vernon Roos; and granddaughters Karalee Michelle King and Stephanie Faye Roos. She is also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and two sisters. She is survived by her six children: Linda (Glen) Marks, Ellen (Jerry) Wells, Karen (Clyde) Callen, Cynthia (Rod) Hill, Shirley (Bruce) Devenport, and Steve (Rebecca) Roos, as well as many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Gwen and Wayne have left an amazing legacy of Christ-like love, service, and sacrifice for their posterity. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 602 Schweitzer Cutoff Road in Sandpoint. A viewing will be held just before the funeral from 9 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Services will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@sandpointidahostake.
Special thanks to the staff at Life Care of Sandpoint, who took such loving care of Gwen.
Arrangements are being made by Coffelt Funeral Service. Interment will be at Pinecrest Cemetery.
