Thelma Lavonne Ekart [nee Kirstine] of Caldwell died on Sunday May 5, 2019 of natural causes at age 80. She was born March 27, 1939 in Pierce, Nebraska and spent her early life in Eastern Nebraska.
In the early 1950s, Thelma and her Kirstine siblings moved with their mother, Cleo, to Wilder, Idaho, at the encouragement of her Aunt Euveda Otto (later Hamilton). Cleo married Bus Slinker in November of 1952 and life went on for Thelma and the newly formed family.
In 1956, Thelma married Dean Driskell of Wilder and they had two children, Michael and Deanne, later divorcing in 1970. She worked in various jobs making ends meet through the ensuing years, including many years as a bookkeeper for the Caldwell School District and later for Wayland Vance, CPA. Her working “career” finished with helping out in the office at her son Michael’s business, Cedar Pro.
Thelma married the love of her life, Robert Carpenter, in 1980. Bob was in construction, and after they were empty-nesters, the two of them purchased a 5th wheel trailer and traveled the country working long-distance construction projects. It was quite the adventure, but they reached the point where it was time to be back home “for good.” She enjoyed broadening her creativity and learned many crafts over time; blessing family members and friends with crocheted items, tole paintings and wonderful items she made with her serger. Gardening – and enjoying produce from the garden – was also something she spent much of her time on in the spring, summer and fall. She and Bob also spent many years worshipping and serving in various capacities at the Presbyterian Church in Roswell until Bob’s health declined to the point he could no longer get out and about. Bob went Home to Jesus in 2004. Thelma faithfully cared for him at home so he would not have to go to a nursing home.
In 2006 she married Bert Ekart. Thelma was widowed again in 2010.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Deanne Wight (Dan); grandchildren, Desiree Wight, Andy Wight, Jacob Driskell (Ali),and Tonya Driskell Lemoine (James); great-grandchildren, Trevor Driskell, Bailey Rae Driskell Ridenour (Chris), Alexandra Sherriffs, and Riley Sherriffs; great great-granddaughter, Charlie Ridenour, all of whom live in the Treasure Valley; and siblings, Ron Kirstine (Jan) of Walla Walla, Washington, Monte Kirstine (Judy) of Caldwell, Idaho, Maynard Kirstine (Mary) of Garden Valley, Idaho, Bryan Slinker (Kathy) of Pullman, Washington, and Gretchen Jones (Danny) of Chewelah, Washington.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard Kirstine, Cleo Slinker and step-father, John (Bus) Slinker; son Michael Driskell; and great-grandson Gage Driskell.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday May 11, 2019 at 10:30 a.m at Dakan Funeral Chapel in Caldwell, with a reception following the service at CV Peckham Community Center adjacent to Dakan Chapel.
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