Opal 'Louise' Whitaker, 88

Opal "Louise" Whitaker, 88, passed away at Schneidmiller Hospice House of North Idaho on June 9, 2022. She was surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

She was born Feb. 15, 1934, in Jester, Okla., to Clarence and Myrtle Williamson, known to everyone in their Pinehurst neighborhood as “Murnie and Papa.”

Louise married Odell Whitaker on March 22, 1952. Together with their children, they enjoyed sports, traveling and camping. They also spent many of their summers on the boat, water skiing and being a very active family.

Louise worked as a meat wrapper for Safeway in Kellogg and Coeur d’Alene for 22 years. After retiring, they moved to Arizona. They spent their winters in Superior and their summers here in the Silver Valley and at their favorite campgrounds up the Coeur d'Alene River.

Louise was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed making shirts, sweaters and clothes for her favorite people. In her later years, she spent a lot of time knitting. Again, all of her favorite people were the recipients of her famous knitted slippers.

Louise is preceded in death by her husband, Odell on Feb. 17, 2017; her parents, Murnie and Papa; and her sister, Geneva Ellison-Babb.

Louise is survived by her children, Stan (Deb) Whitaker, Jerri (Tim) Park, Debby (Jake) Bekel and Corky (Kelly) Whitaker; sister Essie Newberry; brother Hoot (Judy) Williamson; along with numerous grand, great-grand, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Louise was cremated and no services will be held.