Nancy (Vranish) Rothwell, 89

Nancy Vranish Rothwell, 89, longtime resident of Pinehurst, Idaho, peacefully passed away Jan. 12, 2021, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, of natural causes.

She was born in Crosby, Minn., on May 26, 1931, to Sam and Sylvia Mae (Minarich) Vranish. She was the second of six children. Nancy attended Crosby-Ironton schools, graduating from high school in 1949. She quickly spread her independent-like wings and promptly moved west to Utah for a short time and then settled in the Kellogg area. While working at the Kellogg laundry, she met and later married Melvin LeRoy (Bud) Rothwell on March 30, 1952, in Superior, Mont. Nancy and Bud had four girls.

She loved being outdoors, yard work, reading, crocheting, camping and could always tell a good story about bears visiting where she was camping. She and Bud rarely missed a grandchild’s’ sports or dance event, even traveling throughout the northwest to cheer them on. Nancy enjoyed bowling in Kellogg on a lady’s league and was a longtime member of the Pinehurst-Kingston Lady Lions Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994; her parents, Sam and Sylvia; one sister, Jean Henrickson of Crosby; and two brothers, Sam of Michigan and Donnie of Iowa. She is survived by her daughters, Debra and Chester Larson of Rathdrum, Idaho, Barbara Nyquist of Post Falls, Idaho, Tina and Bob Horne of Post Falls, and Tammy Martens of Coeur d’Alene; and two brothers and their spouses, Jack and Joan Vranish and Robert and Joyce Vranish, all in Minnesota. Nancy had seven grandchildren: Dana Larson of Boise, Brittany Stottlemyre of Post Falls, Brandy Horne of Seattle, Mathew Gilmore of Post Falls, Brock Douglas of Hayden, Idaho, Ashley VanSlate of Rathdrum, and Levi Martens of Post Falls. She also had five great-grandchildren, Conner and Hunter Gilmore, Jeren and Taves Stottlemyre, all of Post Falls, and Baylor Douglas of Hayden. She also left behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Nancy made many friends during her long life, but sadly outlived most of them. Despite her daughters encouraging her to move closer to family, she stubbornly refused, passing away while still living alone in the family home that Bud built in Pinehurst. It has been said “she won that battle.” Of those that knew her, you would not be one bit surprised.

Bell Tower Funeral Home, Post Falls, is in charge of cremation. Per her wishes, Nancy’s final resting place will be in Minnesota with a celebration of life being held at a later date.