Kobie Anna Pils

Kobie Pils, 101, passed peacefully in her home on April 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Jacoba Anna was born to Jake and Minnie Gortsema on July 31, 1923 in Cottonwood, Idaho. If you knew her well,
you'd know she was never fond of her birth name and went by "Kobie" instead very early in life. Kobie was one of six
children growing up near Tolo Lake in Grangeville, Idaho. John, Carl, Marion, William "Bill", Janette, and Kobie all
worked on their family ranch and farm. Kobie learned quickly to have a strong work ethic that is still to this day known
by all who knew her. The children rode horseback to and from the Lake School near Tolo Lake.
Kobie was also fluent in Dutch and was very proud of her heritage. She collected Dutch plates from her family in
Holland and displayed them in her home. One of her family's favorite traditions was her dutch Saint Nicholas cookies
she would make during Christmas time. These cookies took her almost three days to make and the whole family
would wait oh-so-impatiently.
At the age of 18, Kobie met the love of her life, Leo Pils, while ice skating on Tolo Lake. Leo and Kobie wed on March
23, 1942 in Seattle, WA, just 30 days before Leo was deployed to Africa during World War II. During the 42 months
that Leo was deployed, Kobie worked in Seattle during the day as a riveter for The Boeing Company. Our grandma
was literally "Rosie the Riveter". She had very strong hands from working on the ranch but was naturally very petite,
only weighing 95 lbs. She could easily fit into the wings of the military aircraft.
After Leo returned to the United States, the two of them moved back to Grangeville. They had two daughters, Leona
and Joann, whom they loved very much. Later in Life, the two of them inherited a third daughter at heart, Varna
Hirota. Kobie had a special place in her heart for so many people. Kobie was a profound housewife, exceptional cook
and green thumb. She was very meticulous about her flowers, especially her roses. She had over fifty roses in the
yard of their Grangeville home. Her roses were the talk of the town!
In their 50s, Leo and Kobie purchased a home in Arizona. They spent many winters there as snowbirds. Kobie was
very fond of her memories from all of their adventures traveling and the friends they had met along the way.
In 1992, Leo and Kobie moved to Nampa to live near their daughter Leona. They were very fond of their outings,
especially their weekly stop at Popeyes in Boise.
After the death of their daughter Joann in 2019, Kobie moved to White Bird, Idaho to live with her granddaughter,
Heather. She quickly inherited the nickname "Granny" and enjoyed visiting with all of the people in the small
community. Kobie's family got together after she turned 100 and entered her and a decorated float accompanied by
sixty family and friends in the town parade. Rightfully so, she won BEST FLOAT that year!
One of Kobie's greatest joys in life were her grandchildren. She was a very present grandmother in all of their lives.
Kobie and Leo had five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren. Kobie was very
proud of the fact that she was able to be a part of five generations of family. She would always say "He or She is a
Keeper!"
Kobie is survived by her daughter, Leona (Bud) Robinson, son-in-law Dave Hueth, granddaughters, Heather (Todd)
Cullin, Mindi (Mike) Penick, and Christy Watkins as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren,
nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Leo, parents, Jake and Minnie Gortsema,
siblings, John, Carl, Marion, Bill, and Janette, daughter, Joann Hueth, a great-grandson Donnie Hueth, and two great-
great grandchildren Shawn and John Carr.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Kelby Wilson and the hospice team for all the kindness and
exceptional care they showed our mother and grandmother during her last days.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 10:00 am at Prairie View Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send
condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.
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