Harriet Vene Richens, 81

Harriet Vene Richens passed away on May 4, 2025, after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

She was born Harriet Vene Hunt in Gillette, Wyo., on May 25, 1943, to Bessie and Coralis Hunt. She was one of seven children, two boys and five girls. They lived on many acres where Harriet and her sibling helped in the day-to-day chores on the ranch. Harriet spent most of her early adulthood waiting tables alongside her sisters and her mother at multiple restaurants. After graduation she married and moved to Houston, Texas, where she had three children, Donald, Sandra and Jay.

In 1977, after a divorce she, along with her children and her best friend, Sybil Walters, moved to Glenrock, Wyo., to be near family and to open a restaurant of their own that they name The La Cocina. This is where she met her second husband, whom she married in 1979. Shortly after, Harriet sold the restaurant to focus on her family.

In 1980, Harriet had her fourth child, Ray. In that same year, Harriet, her husband and children moved to Cocolalla, Idaho, where they bought a house on the mountain, this was one of Harriet's dreams, to live in trees. Shortly after Harriet welcome her fifth child, Shawn.

After her children where grown, Harriet worked at a few jobs including Kmart, Lighthouse and finally at Encoder. She made many friends along the way that she cherished.

Harriet retired from Encoder, and over the past 10 years her children and grandchildren made sure she got to see and do some great things, including her dream of going to Graceland and Grand Old Opry during Elvis week. She went on countless road trips around the PNW, a couple trips to Glacier National Park, many trips back to Wyoming, flew to Colorado to visit her oldest son and wife, she got to ride in a little plane above Sandpoint, she visited Walla Walla for a weekend, San Francisco to eat seafood on the bay, Seattle to see her daughter graduate college, Missoula to surprise her daughter-in-law for a birthday, saw "Cats" the Broadway play, Tran Siberian Orchestra at Christmas time and spent her 80th birthday at Kootenai River Casino and Hotel.

What meant the most to her was to experience life with her friends, family, children and grandchildren by her side. She was very proud of each and every one of them and she told them that every chance she got.

Harriet lived in the house she loved so much in Cocolalla until her death. Harriet leaves behind her five children, four grandchildren, a great-grandchild, three sisters, many nieces and nephews and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Erica, both husbands, a niece, two brothers and one sister.

Harriet Richen's celebration of life will be held Sept. 20, 2025, 2-4 p.m., at Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho. Everyone who knew her is welcome. Come share your stories. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Family and friends are invited to sign Harriet’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.