Beth (Lister) Gravley, 85

| April 22, 2019 1:20 PM

Beth (Lister) Gravley, 85, passed away peacefully at her family home in Elk Creek at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019, surrounded by the loving hands of her husband of 63 years, John Gravley and four children, Denny Gravley, Margie Gravley Todd, Jona Gravley Blake and Teresa Gravley Richardson. Beth Lister (not Elizabeth) and with no middle name, was born in Panquitch, Utah, on Sept. 30, 1933. She was the daughter of Austin and Ruth (Butts) Lister.

Beth went to primary school in Elk Creek and later graduated from Kellogg High School. She continued her education at North Idaho Junior College in Coeur d’Alene.

On June 11, 1955, Beth was united in marriage to John Gravley in Spokane, Wash. Together they made their home first in Big Creek and later moved to Elk Creek where they built their family home of more than 50 years.

Beth loved learning and was an avid reader with special interest in world history and American history. She loved unpredictable deep stories with a clever twist. She also loved old movies and watched them so many times she could remember the story line and characters even though she was nearly blind. Beth and John took full advantage of their adventurous spirits and traveled the world. Beth’s natural athleticism led to a love for many sports, but she especially loved bowling and had a passion for golf. Beth played many courses in the U.S. and Canada over the years. Her ladies league at Shoshone Golf Course gave her a lifetime of treasured memories and special friendships. Just hours prior to her passing, she told us to make sure Louise Beck makes their 10 a.m. tee time. The annual Silver Valley Couples tournament at Shoshone Golf was one of her favorite tournaments that she played in for decades and one of the highlights was winning low gross in that tournament with Bob Rehnborg in 1992.

After retirement, John and Beth golfed all over the country sometimes traveling to different states and all the way to Georgia and the Carolina’s to out-run the rain. They spent many winter months over the years in Southern California and made lasting a friendship with Pat and Fran O’Neill of Leduc, Alberta.

Beth had a terrific memory and loved to tell stories from past experiences and events. There are many fun memories with so many friends and family at their Cedar Island cabin where they hosted family reunions for more than 20 years. She also enjoyed salmon fishing at Neah Bay, Wash., with the Gaylords, taking camping trips on the St. Joe and the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, hunting near Red Ives and floating the river.

She dearly enjoyed her family and friends and will be remembered fondly and with love. Beth is survived by her husband, John of Elk Creek; her four children, Denny (Cherie) (Diane), Margie, Jona (Chris) and Teresa (Sam); and nine grandchildren; along with 13 great-grandchildren. She was also survived by one brother, Ward (Connie) Lister; nephews David (Kim) Arvidson, Brent (Kelsey) Lister, Eric (Monique) Lister, Terry (Kelly) Lister and Tim (Tina) Lister; nieces Alisa Arvidson and Lori Ann Johns of Kansas; with many other Sevy, Lister and Gravley descendants.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Austin “Tex” and Ruth Lister; brother Jim (Peg) Lister; sister June (Forrest) Wilson and brother Robert Lister.

In lieu of food and gifts, the family suggests donations be made to Shoshone Golf Club, P.O. Box 629 Osburn, ID 83849.

Thank you to the incredible staff at Hospice of North Idaho for the kindness and love to allow Beth to pass with peace and dignity.

A celebration of Beth’s life will be held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Shoshone Golf Club, 2000 Country Club Road, Kellogg, Idaho.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with services. Please share your memories of Beth and sign the guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.