EDITH EeeDee M (MCKINLEY) PERSHALL Obituary (1945

Edith "EeeDee" McKinley Pershall, 69, was called home by the Lord, Saturday morning, January 24, 2015 at her home in Eureka Montana. She was born in Arco, Idaho, on July 20th 1945 to Sylvester and Pheba McKinley. She lived and was raised in Howe, Idaho and educated in Arco, Idaho. EeeDee married Carl D. Pershall, June29th, 1962 in Arco and soon after, she graduated from high school in 1963. EeeDee came to Eureka from Arco, Idaho, in 1963 with her husband Carl D. Pershall and baby girl Bonni. She was active in the church and busy on the family "ranch". She still found time to do the things she enjoyed from quilting to camping and hunting, to just taking drives on beautiful evenings to watch nature. In a recent article she wrote for her 50th Class reunion, she put it best saying, "My life has been full, not always fun, but through it all I've been blessed with good health for me and mine." She took up a part time job at the local movie theatre, which eventually led to their purchase of the theatre in 1968, which recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2012. She then went to work for Dr. French, in 1970, as a dental assistant, and continued to work as a bookkeeper at the dental office until her death. EeeDee enjoyed working on the "ranch" and was an avid and experienced "horsewoman" for most of her life. In 1985 she "adopted" a wild horse from the Red Desert herd in southern Wyoming. Lady Grey Dawn hauled her and her grandchildren on many adventures and to many places. In 2000, EeeDee and Carl took a trip to Papua New Guinea with the "Friends of New Tribes" and spent 3 weeks on two different missions. EeeDee was exuberant and in 2011, despite her fear of water, went white water rafting and had a great time. She wasn't done there! In July of 2012, she did a tandem skydive and in her own words "jumped out of a perfectly good airplane." One of EeeDee's many special attributes was how she was always willing to drop what she was doing to attend to the needs of others. She was blessed with a full and abundant life, complete with love, adventure, trials, victories, laughter and tears. We have all been truly blessed to have enjoyed her beautiful company and presence in our lives and will continue to be blessed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Pheba McKinley; brother Kenneth McKinley; and son-in-law Barry Heaton. She is survived by her husband Carl D. Pershall of 52 years at their family home in Eureka; daughters Bonni Heaton of Eureka and Carla and husband Tim Mikita of Eureka; grandchildren Abby and husband Brad Holwegner; Dain and wife Danielle Heaton; Andrea and husband Devan Babendererde; Natasha Mikita; 4 great-grandchildren; special and extended family Lee and Charity Parsons; brother Edra McKinley of Carson City, Nevada; sister Julia and husband Bob Bowen of Marsins, Idaho; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends whom are considered family. Last, but not least, her beloved Mustang, Lady Grey Dawn and her dog. Kate. The memorial service was held Friday, January 30th at the First Baptist Church in Eureka. Arrangements were under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka. Online condolences and memories maybe shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.