Anita Kay Poland, 94

Anita Kay (Van Dyke) Poland (Feb. 25, 1931 — Aug. 22, 2025) 

Anita Kay (Van Dyke) Poland, 94, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. 

Anita was born in Los Angeles, Calif., to Charles Jason Van Dyke and Violet (Tootsie) Marie (Tripp) Van Dyke. She grew up during the Great Depression with her two brothers, Chuck and Don (both deceased). She met her husband, Allen Poland, during high school and was married in 1949. She had three children: Leslie, Bryan and Kay. She and Allen loved traveling, seeing new places and making new friends. Anita was a devoted believer in Christ and, right until the end, was singing praises to her savior! Both she and Allen were very involved in the Senior ministry at Dalton Gardens Church of Christ. Anita was an endlessly creative person, especially known for her paintings — both oil and watercolor. She was also a storyteller, choosing to make her own bedtime stories for her kids. Family was very important to Anita, who enjoyed spending time with her children. 

She had two grandchildren through her daughter, Leslie: Kristan Giddinge and Nicole Bartholomew. She also had six great-grandchildren: Dustin, Luke, Corey, and Addie (Kristan) and Hayden and Haylee (Nikki). For a year, she enjoyed the company of Geraldine Davis as a housemate. In 2020, she married Anita’s son, Bryan, and is now Geraldine Vialpando Poland. 

Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Poland, daughter Leslie (Poland) McAnallen, and son-in-law Frederick (Mac) McAnallen. She is survived by son Bryan Poland (Geraldine), daughter Kay Poland, granddaughters Kristan Giddinge (Michael) and Nikki Bartholomew (Scott) and great-grandchildren Dustin, Hayden, Haylee, Luke, Corey and Addie.

Celebration of life will be held Sept. 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Dalton Gardens Church of Christ, 6439 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.

Bell Tower Funeral Home is entrusted with Anita's care.