Deanna Larkin, 80

Deanna C. Larkin was born Aug. 26, 1945, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Charlie and Martha Calkins. She has one surviving sister, Darlene Williams, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and a half-sister who passed a while back, Thelma Nettleton, Sandpoint, Idaho. Deanna’s date of passing was Aug. 31, 2025.

She blessed the family with two daughters, Alison McArthur (1970) and Lori Larkin (1972).  

She worked at Albertson’s, IGA in Coeur d'Alene, Pay Rite and Ben Franklin in Post Falls.

Clay and Deanna met while Deanna was the Ice Crème lady at Albertson’s Deli. She loved serving Clay and the love of Ice Crème continued up to the last few days of her life.  

She was dedicated to her family, and they always came first. She helped her late husband, Clay, during many political campaigns and all of his medical issues. She was also involved with the girls in many of their school activities, including helping with fundraisers for band and other groups the girls were involved in.  

She enjoyed bowling, bingo and gambling at the local casinos, including the CDA Casino.  

Back in the day, when there was a Volunteer Fire Department in which Clay was Assistant Fire Chief, Deanna was very active with the Post Falls Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She spent many years volunteering for needy families and the phone tree back then.  

She loved fishing with Clay and other family members on many of the local lakes and usually out-fished Clay. She learned to make Kokanee lures and was very talented with them. Clay and Deanna would go to various fishing stores and sell them for extra Bingo money, lol.  

She was a wonderful, dedicated, loving wife, mother and grandmother.  

She is preceded in death by her father, Charlie Calkins; her mother, Martha Calkins; her late husband, Clay Larkin; her grandson, Evan Larkin; her son-in-law, Jeff McArthur; and many other members of the family.  

At her wishes, there will be no services. The family will gather at a later date to place her in the niche with Clay at the Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls, Idaho.

Deanna received amazing care from the staff at the Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. The family wishes donations be made to them in Deanna’s name as they took great care of our mom.  

She will be truly missed but never forgotten.

    Larkin