Kootenai County ID Archives Obituaries.....Birgen, Lydia Mae September 16, 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/idfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com September 20, 2005, 11:03 pm Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Lydia Birgen, 96 Lydia Mae Birgen, 96, Rathdrum, died Sept. 16, 2005, in Coeur d'Alene. She was born Nov. 5, 1908, in Long Island, N.Y., and married John Joseph Birgen in 1931 in New Haven, Conn. She had been a longtime resident of Puyallup, Wash., and came to Rathdrum four years ago from California. Lydia was a wife and mother and everybody's best friend. She adored red- breasted robins and loved yellow roses. Her greatest dislike was when her daughters wore the color red. Her only explanation was that only the ladies of the night wore that color. One of her greatest loves was scooping the cream off of milk for her coffee. Part of her humorous personality was not understanding a joke until 15 minutes later while everyone around her was looking at her blank face. She would slap her knee and yell, "I got it!" and everyone would all get a double dose of laughter. Lydia had many talents, which included painting, handmade crafts, playing the piano and she loved to dance. An avid Scrabble player, she also loved crossword puzzles and Yahtzee. Lydia's married life with John began with children one after another from lantern to electricity, well-water to tap water, scrub board to ring-washer to electric washer and dryer, from outhouse to indoor plumbing. Our major link has gone home to be with her Heavenly Father. With her loving heart and special touch, she will be dearly missed by all. Lydia is survived by her children John E. Birgen, Judith Swope, Bruce O. Birgen, Evelyn Brummet, Lorraine Drake, Rodger Birgen, Patrick Birgen, Lorna Francis, Daniel Birgen, Marilyn Decker, Patricia Burkhart and Barbara Smith; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John in 1971, daughters Patty Ellen Birgen in 1935 and Lydia Walker in 1984, and son Robert Birgen in 1975. Viewing today will be noon-5 p.m., and funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 21, both at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene. Burial at Riverview Cemetery, Coeur d'Alene, will follow the service. Memorials to Children's Village, 1350 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815. Please sign Lydia's guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com. Additional Comments: Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased. 20 September 2005 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/id/kootenai/obits/b/birgen831gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 3.0 Kb