Obituaries: June 7, 2018

Sharon Aeschliman

Jan. 31, 1938 – May 31, 2018

Sharon Joan (Hodge) Aeschliman went to be with her Savior on May 31st, 2018.

She was born to Joe and Wilma Hodge January 31st, 1938.

As a young girl, she and her parents lived on the family farm in the Wilcox area.

Later, they moved nearby to a farm on Penawawa Road.

Sharon had many memories of caring for and riding her Dad’s and Grandfather’s horses and of enjoying the companionship of special family pets, particularly a pair of collie dogs she had in her grade school years.

As a teenager, after attending an evangelistic event with her mother, Sharon gave her life to Jesus Christ, committing to honor Him.

She attended Colfax High School and there met her husband-to-be, John Aeschliman.

They first met in choir when both had parts in the musical, Robin Hood.

After high school graduation, Sharon attended Washington State University for two years, and then worked at Seattle First National Bank as secretary for the officers of the bank.

John and Sharon became engaged and were married March 6th, 1960, in the new First Baptist Church in Colfax.

John began work with Sharon’s father soon after they were married.

During the three years on the farm, Sharon gave birth to both of their two children.

Sharon also worked for about 6 years for the Department of Architecture at WSU.

Soon after, John and Sharon forged out their own company when John began to build custom stereo systems, which led to building and designing many other custom cabinets and furniture.

This would be the beginnings of their company, Kustom Mfg and Supply Inc. in Pullman, Wash., which later grew to 38 employees.

Sharon ran the office, including payroll, double-entry bookkeeping (no Quickbooks!), all the shop drawings, managed two additional office employees and took calls to keep everything running smoothly.

After 15 years, John and Sharon decided to take more time for their children and phased out of the cabinet business and back into farming full-time in 1976.

Sharon then transferred her office managing skills to the home, keeping the farm books organized, canning, running for parts and decorating her home – decorating was one of her favorite past times, which became high priority at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Gardening and caring for her flowers also brought special joy, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

Sharon was a member of Onecho Bible Church and Gideon’s Auxiliary, and served many years in different capacities there.

Later in life, Sharon loved going with John to the Direct Seed, No-till and National Assoc.

of Corn Growers conferences where he would speak from time to time.

They loved traveling together to Europe, Hawaii and around the U.S. visiting family and staying in their time share.

Late in 2007, Sharon battled and survived cancer, which took its toll on her health.

In recent years, Alzheimers kept her from enjoying many of the things she loved, including traveling and being with her best friend and husband.

Through all these challenges, Sharon kept her faith in the Lord, who was always her Anchor.

Sharon is survived by her husband, John Aeschliman; two children, Cory (Rosemarie) Aeschliman, and Marla (Eric) Hanson; eight grandchildren, Ben (Margeaux) Aeschliman, Tiffany (Greg) Doornink, Gabe (Nicolette) Aeschliman, Melissa Aeschliman, Deanna (Casey) Clark, David Hanson, Michelle Hanson, and Matthew Hanson; three great grandchildren, Elianna Doornink, Eli Aeschliman, and Max Aeschliman. Sharon was preceded in death by her aunts, Thelma Miller, Vi (Miller) Powers, and her mother, Wilma (Miller) Hodge and father Joe Hodge.

Sharon’s memorial service will be held Saturday, June 9th, 2018, at Onecho Bible Church at 11 am. Graveside for family will be at 10 am at the Onecho Cemetery. A luncheon after the service will be provided for all to enjoy time sharing memories and catching up with family and friends. Memorial donations may be given to Gideon’s International or to Onecho Bible Church Day Camp/VBS programs.

Bruning Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Online condolences may be made at bruningfuneralhome.com.

Betty Smith

May 8, 1926

Elizabeth was born to farmers Harry and Nellie Neal Boger, Hartline, Wash.

At 6 pounds she was a force to be reckoned with establishing her place in the middle of a family of boys: Bob, Kenneth, Bud and Elmer.

Being a precocious child she graduated at 16 as class president with aspirations of becoming a nurse.

This would have suited her well as she was truly a generous and kind person.

Spokane was home while attending Kinman Business School and working.

Many friends from the Garfield area were made: Arlene Trimble, Vera Walters, Timmy McNeill, Verna Kriebel to name a few.

Betty and friend Jan were invited to Garfield with “the girls” on weekends where they danced the nights away at Riverside to “Mac the Knife” and other selections.

During this time the two met their future husbands, Wayne Smith and Tom Pennell.

January 26, 1947, Betty married the love of her life.

The couple was employed at J.E. Love Co., Betty in the office.

Valentine's Day, 1948, sweet baby Dixie arrived.

The Smiths moved to the family farm at the base of Ladow Butte farming there and the homestead farm near Glennwood.

They built a home and replaced the shop after a fire.

In the middle of harvest another little girl, Janelle, joined the family during which Betty was the official truck driver! Much support and lifelong friends were found in the Ladow community: Arlands, Hemingways, Petersons, Jamisons, Redmans, Wrides, Westacotts, Walters, Hansons, Kents, then heading west, Curtis, Neals, Cochrans, Elders, Millers, Hendricksons, Barths, Pfaffs, McCowns, Persons, Marples, Johnsons and others.

Betty enjoyed people! Often were gatherings around sleds and bonfires in the winters and BBQs, bicycles, beer and swimming in the summers.

There were New Years basement parties swinging to those populars songs of the 40, 50s and 60s.

Betty had the “twist” down to a science.

She soon adjusted her truck driving skills from flat sections in Hartline to the rolling hills of the Palouse.

Betty gained five sisters (in-law) when marrying Wayne.

Beverly, the youngest lived with the Smiths while finishing high school; she and Betty became very close.

All those aunts doted on the girls- always fun family gatherings.

The girls have memories of making mud pies to exploring Steptoe Butte with cousins.

Betty too, shared childhood times during Prohibition when favorite uncles (bootleggers) “hid out” at the farmstead bestowing toys onto her and siblings.

These visits were met with parent disapproval.

Betty was busy keeping the farm books along with participating in service groups and activities.

While the girls participated in Rainbow for Girls she served as Mother Advisor enjoying the participants.

She was an active member of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile and taught Sunday School.

Later, she worked alongside Donna White at the Colfax Elks Club.

She shared her love of animals with the kids, always regretting leaving her horse, Sugar, in Hartline.

The trait was definitely in the genes, as the generations following house their own menageries.

She believed in “surrounding your soul with animals, for they are the teachers with purity of heart.” Betty enjoyed fishing, camping and water sports with Wayne, the girls and extra kids at Priest Lake and Pend Oreille.

The Smiths provided a safe home environment to young adults and teens in need.

These young people soon became an adored “big sister or brother” to the girls.

One was Ray Leinweber who lived with the family while working for the couple.

The girls missed this “brother” when he was drafted.

Patty Greiner, whose stay was brief, yet, was long enough in becoming “big sis.”

Betty did find time for books, crossword puzzles and her gardens.

Friends were the flowers in her garden that overpowered weeds.

She'd be found picking raspberries with Jean or Beverly, enjoying a late afternoon cocktail with Dottie and Cleo.

There was morning kitchen coffee with neighbors Tude, Eva, Lovesta, Donna W., or Willa and sometimes meeting at the Garfield “Nook” with others in the Garfield area.

As the Ladow neighborhood changed she and Wayne enjoyed the “newbies” Bill and Sharon Woltering.

After losing Wayne the couple often checked on Betty.

She hosted many Garfield-Palouse Bridge Club card parties.

In addition, she and Wayne played Bridge with friends long into the evenings.

They were members of the Colfax Golf Club playing league with Palouse friends Swansons, Dailys, Verna Parsons and many Colfax area golfers.

Betty and Wayne enjoyed their Priest Lake home, year-round golfing, boating and snowmobiling.

It was large enough for friends and the girls' expanding families where she loved spoiling the grandchildren.

The couple was fortunate to visit the Hawaiian Islands, Yuma and brother Bob and family in the D.C. Area.

Bob, an FBI agent gave them an incredible tour of the area and visited members of her Quaker family carrying these treasured memories always.

Betty was no stranger to tragedy in her lifetime.

Losing Wayne at the hands of an irresponsible snow mobiler near the Priest Lake home, was unbearable.

The grief, trauma and injuries sustained, dramatically changed her life and personality.

PTSD and long-term depression led to poor decisions and further decline in health.

Moving to Colfax was to be a new beginning, yet she endured cancer surgery, falls leading to life threatening complications and several losses of friends and family.

A dementia related disease and Stockholm Syndrome additionally left her fragile, vulnerable and open to abuse.

In later years, unscrupulous recipients of Betty's kindness and generosity were not always grateful.

This became problematic for her.

She was thankful for neighbors, the Jensens' daily checks and concerns.

Hesitant in making changes, “she turned the other cheek,” living her remaining days going down the path of least resistance.

She cherished those many friends and relatives that went before her, sending a bit of her heart with each one, we like thinking they paved the way.

She is survived, missed and loved much by daughters, Dixie (Gene) Jakovac, Janelle (Reg) Parsons; treasured grandchildren Travis, Tamara, Andra and Cason, Heath preceded her in death; 7 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and former son-in-law Gerald Thompson.

“Remembering Betty” will be held June 14th at Kramer Funeral Home in Palouse at 1:30pm. Memorials may be given to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 911 W 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204.