Leola Jeanne Stoneback, 67
Leola Jeanne Stoneback, 67, of Orofino, Idaho, passed away Dec. 21, 2008, at the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle from long-term illnesses. She was born in Madison, S.D., June 26, 1941, and grew up in Madison, Waterloo, Iowa, Sandpoint, Idaho, Kalispell and Hot Springs, before moving to Orofino, Idaho, in 1975.
She was an ambitious and creative person who loved crafts, gardening and her animals, which included several years of showing the Chihuahuas she raised.
Many people who knew her marveled at her strength and courage. Leola spent 12 years as a rancher's wife, raising their three children and sharing the operation of the Merritt ranch in Hot Springs, before moving to Orofino where she owned and operated the Green Acres Nursery for several years, as well as The Puppy Palace, where she groomed and boarded animals.
She lived in Kodiak, Old Harbor, and at several logging camps in Southeastern Alaska for several years. She operated a large boarding facility in Kodiak, served as a village public nursein Old Harbor, and cooked in the logging camps in Southeastern Alaska. Other professions she held were as a chef and a long-haul truck driver.
Leola was highly regarded as a Past Matron of Eastern Star in Hot Springs.
She is survived by two sons, Gary Merritt, Ret. Navy, and wife, Jeanette, of Marysville, Wash., and Roger Merritt and wife, Leigh, of Sydney; her daughter, Mary Jo Merritt, of Orofino; two sisters, Sharleen (Stoneback) Ashcraft, and brother-in-law, Dr. Walker J. Ashcraft, of Hamilton, and Diana (Stoneback) Fraley, and brother-in-law, Richard Fraley, Ret. U.S.C.G., of Palmer, Alaska; and her brother, James Stoneback, Ret. U.S.C.G.; and sister-in-law, Virgie (Zimmerman) Stoneback, of Elgin, N.D. She is also survived by grandchildren, Stacy Merritt, Heather Merritt, Ali Jo Merritt, Dustin Merritt, Jason Merritt and Brennen Merritt; nephews, Lt. Col. Paul Ashcraft, Brian Fraley, James Stoneback, Neal Stoneback, Eric Stoneback and Chris Stoneback; and niece, Jeannie (Stoneback) Marshall.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley S. And Wilma M. Stoneback.
A tentative memorial service has been planned for Jan. 31 at the United Methodist Church in Orofino, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any service dog organization in honor of Leola's dedicated Labrador retriever, Emmy, her devoted companion and service dog who misses her mistress terribly; or to International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), 38691 Filly Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48310.