E. Marilla Kemmis, 92
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 4 weeks, 1 day AGO
E. Marilla Wilson Schoonover Kemmis, 92, passed away peacefully in her home Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
She is survived by her children, Sandy Dawson and her husband, Chris, Bob Schoonover and his wife, Heidi, Roley Schoonover and his wife, Janice; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Marilla was born March 3, 1933, in Towner, Colo., during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Her mom and “Daddy” (Geneva and True Wilson) would move the family in 1936 to Sandpoint and eventually settle on 40 acres above the Pinecrest Cemetery.
She graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1951 and married Bob Schoonover in September of 1952. The couple had four children in Sandpoint: 1956, Sandra Eliene; 1958, Robert Andrew (Bob); 1962, Baby Boy Schoonover; and 1963, Roley Dale. Her husband, Bob, passed away in 1996.
In 2001 she got reacquainted with high school sweetheart Kay Kemmis at their 30-year class reunion and the couple married in October of 2001. Kay passed away in 2015.
Marilla worked at the Bonner County Courthouse in the Clerk’s Office until she “quit” in the early 1990s (she refused to say she retired because she didn’t want people thinking she was that old). Her personal acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross led her in retirement to spend time volunteering at the hospital and serving in her local church for many years.
Marilla’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and loved taking them out to eat and going on sightseeing adventures. She also loved her monthly meetings playing “cards” with her friends.
She had a generous heart and her family will miss her warmth, love and perfect nails and hair.
Funeral services will be held Nov. 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. All family and friends are invited to celebrate her life.
Donations can be made in her name to the Bonner Community Food Bank or the Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Family and friends are invited to sign Marilla’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.