Emma Morton Weeks, 94, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away September 4, 2012 in Coeur d’Alene. Emma was born October 10, 1917 in Kellogg. Her parents were Donald Morton and Eva Saari, who was born in Finland. Emma was the oldest of five children: brother Eugene, sister Eva, and twin brother and sister, Donald and Donella.

Emma grew up in Kingston and Wardner, Idaho and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1935. Emma started her working career in the Forest Service office in Wallace. She later worked at the Selective Service office in Wallace. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Ralph Weeks. They were married March 27, 1942. During the war, Emma worked at the War Manpower Commission in Kellogg and then at the Bunker Hill Zinc Plant office. They lived in Osburn until 1965, when they moved to Coeur d’Alene. 

Emma and Ralph raised three daughters: Susan, Melinda and Kathryn. As the girls were growing up, Emma was their Camp Fire leader. She was also involved in Osburn Lions Club activities with Ralph. During the summers, she and Ralph helped to run the Weeks Resort on Hayden Lake. Emma attended classes at North Idaho College and University of Idaho, eventually earning a degree in education. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 14 years, mainly at Bryan School in Coeur d’Alene. Her patience with little children was legendary!

After her retirement from teaching, Emma helped Ralph in his insurance business. She was involved in the Community Concert Association and was a dedicated volunteer at the Museum of North Idaho. She was a member of Chapter AG, Philanthropic Education Organization. Besides being very active in the communities in which they lived, Emma and Ralph had many opportunities to travel. They visited every one of the 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. A memorable trip was to Finland, the land of her mother’s birth.

When Ralph passed away in 2006, he and Emma had been married for 63 years. She is survived by her brother, Tuffy (Donald) Morton of Spokane; her three daughters, Susan Overby (John) of Liberty Lake, Wash.; Melinda Winther (Doug) of Spokane, Wash. and Kathryn Speirs of Coeur d’Alene.  She is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Museum of North Idaho, PO Box 812, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83816. 

A memorial service will be held at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.

Please sign Emma's guest registry and view her on-line memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.