Mary Jean Sears, 96

Mary J. Sears passed away May 12, 2025, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls, Idaho. She was 96 years old. Mary was born Dec. 7, 1928, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Harvey and Ethel (Knight) Cardwell. She was their only child. She attended Catholic school, and she and her mother would go every Saturday afternoon to the movies.

Mary moved to Rapid City, S.D., with two of her closest friends and they shared an apartment. It was while living in Rapid City that she met her future husband, Donald “Sam” Sears, who was serving in the Air Force. Mary and Sam married in September 1950 in a Catholic ceremony in Sioux City. Their first child, Pamela, was born July 21, 1953.

Sam was deployed to Korea, so Mary and Pam moved back to Sioux City. It was a very sad time as Mary’s mother died from cancer when her baby granddaughter was only 3 months old. Sam returned from Korea safely, and they were deployed to Otis Air Force Base, Cape Cod, Mass. It was there that their second child was born Aug. 29, 1956, and was named Don Jr. He was born on his father’s birthday.

Their last deployment was Edwards Air Force Base in California, out in the Mojave Desert — after 20 years in the service, Sam retired.

They moved to Coeur d’Alene as Sam wanted to attend forestry school at the local community college. Mary worked — while Sam was in school — at various jobs until she was hired as a Kootenai County Veterans Service Officer, where she worked for 15 years, assisting veterans applying for benefits.

Mary and Sam decided to join the VFW Post No. 889 and Auxiliary and served together as Commander and President of the Post, the District and the Department of Idaho. They became interested in the National VFW and started attending their annual conventions. They were both well-liked, and Mary was urged to run for national office. She went through the chairs and was selected as the National President for 1991-1992. Mary traveled to all 50 states, many more than once. She and Sam took trips to Europe and the Far East. After the national office, both she and Sam, at different times, served on the board of the VFW National Home in Eaton, Mich.

Mary loved to read, especially cat mystery books, and loved to shop!

She is survived by her daughter, Pam, who lives in Portland, Ore., and her son, Don Jr., who lives in Post Falls, Idaho. Sam passed away in 2021.

A memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at St. George Catholic Church (2004 N. Lucas St., Post Falls, ID 83854). A reception will immediately follow the service at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel (373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835).

Please visit Mary’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.