Esther Irene Woodward, 96

Our beautiful mother, Esther Irene Woodward, received her angel wings on May 6, 2026. 

She was surrounded by the love of family and the gentle care of Hospice and the team at Creekside Memory Care Center. Her light can shine brightly again with peace and joy. 

Esther was born September 11, 1929, in Syracuse, Kansas to Earl and Ina Carrithers.  The fourth of five children, she lived her early childhood in Kansas until the dust bowl conditions pushed the family to find a healthier place to live and work. The move to Idaho included a Model A car, a lot of bumpy roads and relief to finally arrive at their new home upriver from the Blume Hill Road. They lived in a few different locations in the area and she attended the nearby schools. The family moved to Bremerton, Washington, in 1942 where her father worked in the shipyards while Esther was in high school.

The family returned to the Meadow Creek area in Idaho in 1945. At a community dance, Esther met Lester who had just returned from a stint in the Army. They married on December 28, 1946, and were together until his death in 1988. They lived in Montana before settling in the Curley Creek area in northern Idaho. There they raised four daughters on a farm with a large garden and flowers.  It was a sure sign of summer when Esther had the red-and-white striped petunias planted near the front steps of the house. She supported her daughters’ interests in many ways including being a 4-H leader and spending endless hours helping them and others with projects, meetings, float building and the fair. The couple later built and moved to a home closer to Moyie Springs where they remained until Lester’s passing.

Musically talented, Esther played the piano, taught music to children at Evergreen School and sang whenever the mood struck her. Music continued to be a source of joy throughout her life remaining as something that reached her even in later years. She loved singing at her church as well as in the community choir.  She sang hymns and recited prayers to the very end of her days on earth. Speaking of music, her much loved very heavy, upright piano, moved each time with her.  It’s a family joke that you are a true member of the family if you’ve helped move that piano!

Lean early years led into better times through a lot of hard work, sacrifice and prayer. She and Lester continued to learn new things and travel, teaching by example, the power of education. Esther accepted a position as the school secretary at Evergreen School, a role that allowed her to directly impact the success of the students, teachers and parents.  Hand cranked mimeograph machines gave way to computers and she engaged in such changes by taking a summer class at University of Idaho to learn more.

She briefly moved to Bonners Ferry and then to Post Falls where she resided until life necessitated a move to Creekside. Her home in Post Falls highlighted the things that were important to her - photos of family, mementos of places seen on travels, music, her church, American Legion and 8/40 items, crafts, dogs, and a spectacular yard. She enjoyed being active and could often be found walking around her neighborhood.

Mom was creative, fiercely independent, and incredibly loving and kind with a deep faith. She loved and was loved by her kids, grands and great-grands and great-great-grands (to whom she was known as Grandma Esther and Grandma Great). 

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; infant son, Philip; sons-in-law, Ray Webb and Morris Prosser; grandchildren, Rachel Webb-Duppong and JT Bach; her parents; and siblings, Frank, Ellen and Olive.  She is survived by daughters, Carol (Morris) Prosser, Judy (Terry) Cravens, Shirley (Mitchell) Marx and Alice (Wade) Allen; sister, Janice Eby; 42 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and cousins and nieces and nephews.  

A private burial at Grandview Cemetery near Bonners Ferry has taken place. Her family invites you to join us in a celebration of Mom’s life on Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. at Tullamore Park, 3673 E Bogie Drive, Post Falls. A light lunch will be served. To leave a message or memory for the family go to bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Donations in Esther’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society or another charity of your choice.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7