Lynn Ellen Echelberger, 64

Lynn Ellen Echelberger, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother, passed away on Oct. 28, 2010, at age 64. She was born Jan. 17, 1946, in Oakland, Calif., to Godfrey and Esther Homes.

She grew up in the Sonoma Valley area until her family moved to Medical Lake, Wash., when she was 17 years old. Lynn was married to Paul Emmett Smith in 1964, and raised their five children together in Spokane until Paul passed away after 30 years of marriage. Lynn possessed great artistic talent and, while raising her young children, she obtained her associate's degree in graphic design at SFCC. She worked for several years as a graphic artist for Tidyman's.

Lynn remarried to Jim Echelberger in 1994, and shortly thereafter moved with him to Rathdrum. She loved nature and one of her greatest loves was traveling with Jim throughout the Pacific Northwest and camping in the wilderness. Lynn left behind a testament to nature's beauty in her paintings and photography, as well her gorgeous garden and home (not to mention her significant rock collection). Lynn became a grandmother this summer, and her grandson was her great pride and love. While Lynn suffered throughout her life from debilitating brain injuries suffered as an infant, she nonetheless lived an extraordinary life and we will always be humbled and inspired by her profound spirit and strength.

She is greatly loved and missed by her husband Jim; her children, Melissa Ryon, Michael Smith, Matthew Smith, Marcus Smith and Mitchell Smith; and her grandson, Harrison Paul Smith Ryon. Additional members of her family include her brothers, Cliff Judkins and Ron Judkins; brother-in-law Larry Echelberger; stepsons James Echelberger and John Echelberger, and several step-grandsons.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel.

Please visit Lynn's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.