Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Thelma Louise Barr Rathke Bourbonnais


    Louise went home to God on May 2, 2013, in Weiser, Idaho. She is now happily cooking a gourmet meal for friends and family. Very happy to be well again.
    Louise was born Jan. 21, 1924, in Kimberly, Idaho, to James and Mae Thelma Barr. She went to school in Kimberly, finishing her last two years in Hailey. She attended nursing school to become a registered nurse in Ogden where she made lifelong friends. Louise worked at the Hailey Hospital and Sun Valley Hospital until her retirement. She was a wonderful nurse and remembered by many for her kindness.
    Louise married Wilburt (Bill) Rathke and they were blessed with three children: Steven, Bruce and Susan. After a short marriage to Leonard Knight, she devoted herself to raising her children on her own. In 1995, she married Lloyd Bourbonnais in Boise.
    Louise was active in the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club, American Legion, Eastern Star and P.E.O. She loved going to Campbell River, Canada, with Lloyd to fish and enjoy friends.
    Her home always had an open door and a full cookie jar, welcoming everyone with a warm hug and amazing food.
    We would like to thank Accent Hospice-Boise, her Boise caregivers, Legacy Hospice and Indian Head Assisted Living in Weiser for their special care given to Mom.
    Louise is survived by Bruce Rathke, of Carey; his children Lukas (Danielle), Jesse (John) Saili, Susan (Don) McCoy, of Weiser; their children, Ginger (Patrick) Hughes and Mason McCoy; her beloved great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Dakota, Gabriel, Jonah, and Kai; and her brothers Dick (Anna) Barr, of Jerome, and Robert (Dolores) Barr, of Salt Lake City.
    She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; her parents; and her son Steven, whom she dearly missed throughout the years.
    A celebration of life will be held in Hailey at the Senior Center located at 721 S. Third Ave., starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 11, 2013. Please come to share memories.
    Memorials may be made to P.E.O. Foundation, Carey Hopkins, 1800 Kinsell Dr., Weiser, ID 83672.




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