Jacqueline A. Graefe

Jacqueline Ann Graefe, 70, went to her Lord and Savior on Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. She lived the last months of her life with cancer, but God took her peacefully in the early evening hours.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Little Lost River Bible Church in Howe, Idaho, with a graveside in Howe Cemetery. A lunch will follow at the Howe Community Center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, in Kooskia, Idaho, at Valley Bible Church.

Jackie was born to Eulah and Clinton Liles on May 18, 1940, in Sacramento, Calif. She was followed by her sister, Leeta, and later by her brother, William. She spent her childhood roaming the wilds of Northern California. She married David Gooch in June 1958. Her house was soon filled with children whom she fondly referred to as number one daughter, Lori Denise, born in 1959; number two daughter, Jane Ann, born in 1961; number three daughter, Joan Darlene, born in 1962; and number four daughter, Kristina Kay, born in 1964. The family moved to Ririe, Idaho, in 1967 and eventually ended up in Howe with the purchase of the old post office. Jackie took over as postmaster and served in the position for 33 years.

David and Jackie divorced in 1970, with Jackie and the girls staying in Howe. She worked at the post office in Howe in the neighborhood of the Sinks Inn Caf, home of the Graefe brothers. Jackie met the love of her life at that cafe, Robert Graefe. They were married April 9, 1972. Jackie and Bob soon filled their house with one last child, number five daughter, Mary Rebecca, born in 1972. Bob and Jackie were married for 38 years.

Upon Bob's retirement, they moved to Kooskia. Although they left many dear and wonderful friends in Howe, Kooskia was Jackie's most beloved home. Their log cabin in the mountains brought many new friends and memories. The wonderful view, the ponds, the deer, the turkeys, the trees and the garden were truly her blessed retreat, especially in her final days.

Jackie was truly a beautiful person both inside and out. Everything she touched would turn into something amazing. She had a gift of music and song and shared that gift with everyone. Her wonderful voice is missed here on Earth, but we know she is leading the choir in heaven.

During her final days of fighting cancer, Jackie was truly an inspiration.

Jackie was preceded in death by her mother, Eulah Newell; father, Clinton Liles; stepfather, Robert Newell; and stepmother, Hazel Liles. She is survived by her husband, Robert Graefe; daughters, Lori (Richard) Frasure, Jane (Milt) Jensen, Joan (William) Howard, Kristi Olson and Mary (Kevin) Ellis; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Leeta Fitzsimmons; and a brother, Bill Liles.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lost River Funeral Chapel in Arco, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Clearwater Valley Pregnancy Center, Attn: Nancy Connolley, P.O. Box 577, Kamiah, ID 83536.