Mary Gail Powers, 86

Mary Gail Powers, 86, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away at Pinehurst Senior Community on Sept. 11, 2026. She was born in Portland, Ore., on Feb. 26, 1940, to Wendell and Elizabeth Schutt. She grew up in the Silver Valley and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1958.

She was married to John Powers for 18 years and had three children. They lived in Pinehurst; she was a kindergarten teacher, full-time mom, and very active in the community.

Mary Gail moved to the Longview, Wash., area in 1978. She worked at a Medical Arts Lab for many years before returning to the Silver Valley. While in Longview, she was involved in the Exchange Student program. Daughter Janine went to Belgium for a school season. Then she took in an exchange student from Japan. Yori came to live with Mom and Janine and went to school. She became part of the family, stayed close through the years and visited Mary Gail often.

Mary Gail moved back to North Idaho about the time Silver Mountain was starting. She worked there for 17 years in several capacities but was known for managing the Minors Camp Daycare at the Lodge on top of the mountain. The kids’ play hill by the Lodge was named “Mary Gail Land” and has an official sign that she was proud of. The Silver Mountain years were loaded with fun, adventure and a wonderful group of people and friends; they were some of the best years for her.

Mary Gail loved life and the family and people that were in it. She was a sharp lady and lived a wonderful, adventurous life; she touched many people in her journey and was a shining example of Love and kindness.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Wendell and Elizabeth Schutt; daughters Janine Powers and Brenda Seaton (Powers); nephew Sterling Schutt; and brother Wendell Schutt.

She is survived by brothers Robin Schutt, Elwin Schutt and Don Schutt, son John (Mari) Powers, daughter Lisa (Arthur) Smith, son-in law Randy (Ann) Seaton, grandkids Josh (Tash) Seaton, Matt Seaton, Randal Seaton, Elizabeth (Corey) Reed, Jeremiah (Shellie) Jacobson, Mark (Amanda) Wilkins, Collin Kessler and Lauren (Michael) Morriss; great-grandkids; Cyrus, Charley, Penelope and Zeke Reed, Kaden and Kai Keller, Claire, Wyatt and Remi Seaton, Paige Seaton, Daphne and Elise Morriss, Kennedie and Kamdyn Krieger, Logan and Andrew Jacobson. And also a large pile of nieces, nephews, cousins, shirt tail-relatives and unmentionable nefarious characters.

A celebration of life will be held at Real Life Ministries Silver Valley, 708 N. Division St., Pinehurst, Idaho, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at 11 a.m.

I would like to recognize and give special thanks to all of the people at Pinehurst Senior Community for showing my Mom love and grace in her final years. Also, thank you to the Reeds, Liz Bear, Hospice, and the many others on her care team. Thanks for being there.

Please direct any donations to your local Hospice House.

You may share memories of Mary Gail and messages of condolence online with her family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services of the Silver Valley is caring for the Powers family.