Connie G. Bright, 87

Connie G. Bright, 87, passed away Jan. 4, 2017, after a prolonged illness. She was born Jan. 29, 1929, on the family farm in Wells County, N.D. Her parents were Christian and Mable (Stokke) Zimmerman.

After the death of her father when she was just 4 years old, she helped her mother with the household and farm chores. They were then able to continue to live on their farm despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression. When it came time to go to high school, she moved to town where she lived with a family with small children, baby-sitting the children in exchange for room and board. Connie graduated from Fessenden High School in 1947. She attended Business School in Fargo, N.D., and met her future husband, Harry Bright, while living there. They were married on April 17, 1949.

The couple settled in New Rockford, N.D., where their two oldest children were born. In 1956, they moved the family to North Idaho, where their youngest child was born. Connie was a resident of Post Falls for 60 years, until July 2016, when she moved to her daughter Joann’s home in Monroe, Wash.

When her children were young, Connie spent time volunteering at their school. She was a leader of Campfire Blue Bird groups and a leader of the Pine Tree 4-H Club in Post Falls. Connie was also a member of the Eager Beavers Homemakers Club. Ladies from this club became her lifelong friends, and after the club disbanded, they spent many joyful hours playing cards and drinking coffee. She was a great listener to many friends and family members, always ready if there was a need.

Connie will be remembered as being so happy and full of love. She was very involved with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities including her son’s wrestling, daughters’ 4-H and cake decorating, grandchildrens’ horse shows, spelling bees and gymnastics. In her later years, she looked forward to weekly visits from her three great-grandsons. Proud of her Norwegian heritage, Connie enjoyed helping her daughter research her family roots. She loved gardening, baking, sewing, and shopping at antique and thrift shops. Connie was a fan of Seattle Mariners baseball, and a superfan of Gonzaga men’s basketball.

Connie is survived by her son, Richard Bright of Coeur d’Alene; and daughters Barbara Smith of Fife, Wash., and Joann Smith of Monroe, Wash. Her grandchildren are Jason Smith of Matsuyama, Japan; Heather Smith of Seattle, Wash.; Christiana and Andy Edens of Rathdrum, Idaho; and Joshua Smith of Lewiston, Idaho. Great-grandchildren are Aliyah Smith of Japan; and Caleb, Connor and Colton Edens of Rathdrum.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her father and mother; two brothers, Gordon and Morris; and a sister, Margaret.

The family plans to have a memorial service in the spring to celebrate her life.