Kathleen Reta Brangham

Kathleen Reta Owens Brangham

Coeurd'Alene-Kathy Brangham, 64, passed away Nov. 18, 2008, at home with her family after a hard fought battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 15, 1944, in Pocatello, Idaho, the daughter of Joe and Beth Owens. She was the middle of three girls and grew up in McCammon, Idaho.

After loosing her father at a young age, her mom and sister's had to run the family business and fend for themselves. She married Sterling Brangham from Chesterfield, Idaho, in 1961, and their daughter, Sue, was born in 1963.

There was some moving around from Pocatello to Tacoma, Washington, and back again with Sterling's military service. They settled in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1966, where Kathy worked at Swift and Comp. as a bookkeeper, and attended Southern Idaho College. In 1974, the family moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with Sterling's work and stayed for over 30 years. Kathy worked for the City of Coeur d'Alene, and Lafferty Transportation, before buying her 1st Baskin Robbins store in Spokane, Washington. She went on to purchase a few more Baskin Robbins stores ended with the Coeur d'Alene store, which she owned and operated for approximately 14 years.. She made good friends, mentored a lot of young people, and was honored for her business achievements locally and within the Baskin Robbins organization.

A new light in her life arrived in 1995 with the birth of her grandson, Phoenix. A highlight of her's was attending his activities, especially football games. Throughout the years, she continued educating herself at North Idaho College, and found time to do volunteer work. She was known as Grandma Kathy at her grandson's preschool, was a reading buddy at the local elementary, and more recently, a CASA volunteer. She also enjoyed various recreational activities. Snow skiing, water skiing, dancing, country music, playing pool, and follow her favorite sports teams were among her favorites. Within the last year she re-took up golf, joining the ladies of the Coeur d'Alene 9 Holers.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 47 years, Sterling, her daughter, Sue, son-in-law Wade Duncan, and grandson, Phoenix Duncan, all of Coeur d'Alene, her sisters, Delores (Jack) Vorwaller, Pocatello, Idaho, Joie Owens, Portland, Oregon, and many extended family and friends. Her parents preceded her in death. Kathy was a wonderful person. As a wife, sister, mother, and friend she was the best. She will be missed terribly but left a warmth in the hearts of all that know and loved her.

Funeral services will be held at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. 4th St. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Saturday, Nov 22, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until services time. Additional funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 24, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the McCammon Stake Center in McCammon, Idaho. The family will receive friends on Monday from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Norton Cemetery, McCammon, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Coeur d'Alene Cancer Center, CASA, or Charter Academy. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.