Bernadine ‘Bernie’ Lois Bucher Currie

March 22, 1924 — Sept. 27, 2019

Bernadine was born in a little log cabin in Ford, Idaho (Kootenai County), to Antoine “Anthony” Jean Bucher and Grace Marie Allman Bucher on March 22, 1924. She passed away Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House, in Coeur d’Alene, surrounded by her family.

In the fall of 1940, Bernadine met the love of her life, Elmer Albert Currie, in the backyard of her parents’ home on 7th Street in Coeur d’Alene.

In May of 1941, they were married in Saltese, Mont. During their first year of marriage, they lived in Mullan, Idaho, while Elmer worked in the mines. They later moved to Coeur d’Alene, to start their family.

In 1944, Elmer went off to war and Bernadine stayed home to raise their two children. It was not an easy time for a young bride with two small children, yet she persevered. She established close friendships with other brides of soldiers off fighting the war, and when the men returned home, they all became part of an extended family that would endure for years to come.

Bernadine was involved in every aspect of the family’s business and political endeavors. When the family ran the Currie Building Supply in Post Falls, Idaho, she worked in the store, handling the bookkeeping, sales and purchasing. When her husband, Elmer, ran for county commissioner of Kootenai County, Bernadine was right beside her husband every step of the way. She was a highly driven woman and the true matriarch of the family.

She always had a strong sense of civic duty, and it showed in her involvement with numerous groups and committees. She was active in VFW Ladies Auxiliary for many years, and served as the president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 889. She worked with the American Cancer Society, The Pinewood Care Center and The Women’s Center of North Idaho (Rape Crisis and Violence Prevention). She was also one of the founding members of the Cancer and Community Charities (3Cs) organization, a member of The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry and an active member of Soroptimist, to name a few. Bernadine enjoyed many social activities and was a member of various clubs that involved playing bridge, pinochle, bowling and golf. She relished in hosting and attending festivities with lifelong friends and family.

Bernadine was quite fond of gardening and being surrounded by fresh flowers and living plants. People that knew her well would often say she had a “green thumb” and could bring many plants back to life with her gentle touch and care.

Bernadine took great pleasure in playing cards with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everyone was amazed at her ability to hold so many cards in her hands and still keep track of all of them — and win. She would always say that she had been so blessed with such a large, talented, loving family and a lifetime of close, dear friends. We truly believe that it is us that were the blessed ones to have been given a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother and a dear friend that was as dedicated and loving as she was.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her husband of 77 years, Elmer A. Currie; both of her parents; her brothers, Wallace, Dwight, Leo, Monte, Dean and Del Bucher; and sisters, Maxine Shaddock, Ilo Coumbs, June Cavanaugh and Karen Carbaugh. She is survived by two brothers, Kent Bucher of Spokane, Wash. and Terry (Shandra) Bucher of Indianapolis, Ind. She is also survived by seven children: Ted (Vickie) Currie of Dallas, Texas; Beverly (Bruce) Oliver of Post Falls; Rick (Vicki) Currie of Coeur d’Alene; David Currie of Post Falls; Holly (Lynn) Roberts of Floyd, Virg.; Tammy (Roger) Farkes of Edmonton, Alberta and Tori Long of Coeur d’ Alene; plus 20 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to Comfort Keepers of Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai Health, Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene, and Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Bernadine Lois Bucher Currie will be announced at a later date. English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.