Obituary of Mary Jo Harpole
Mary Jo Harpole (67) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Shoshone Medical Center on July 25, 2023. She was born to Martin “Jack” and Zelda (Cartwright) Modrell Sr. on October 9, 1955, in Mt. Home, ID. Jack made a career out of the military and the family moved all over. Mary attended many schools growing up until the family settled in Calder, ID. It was there she met the love of her life Charley Harpole at the age of 12. She obtained her GED and married Charley at the very young age of 15; the couple were inseparable most of their lives.
Charley enlisted into the Marine Corp., where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. It was there they began to expand their family. After his service they spent 13 years in Alaska where Mary kept herself busy raising her children and working in the fish cannery, mercantile, local post office, and K-Mart. In 1997, the family moved to the Harpole Elk Farm on Flat Creek. Mary loved it out there and she spoiled the elk by chopping apples and feeding them. She held jobs at various gas stations around St. Maries and the guard shack at Potlatch. In 2001, Mary and Charley moved back to their property out on Big Creek. She loved Big Creek and often took strolls down to the creek. Her failing health eventually caused her to quit working.
Mary enjoyed attending auctions and loved all animals, especially her goats. At one time in Alaska, she had some pretty impressive birds that were near and dear to her. Her family meant everything to her, and she loved them fiercely. She was a primary caregiver to her mother for years when her health failed. Mary was proud of her servicemen, her father and husband, and she studied genealogy on both sides of the family. She also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing in Alaska and Idaho, harvesting mushrooms, berry picking, tending to flowers and gardening. Food was a labor of love, and she would proudly make lemon meringue pie for her dad, homemade peanut butter cups, jams and jellies, dinner rolls, along with her famous ham and potato salad for her family dinners. When she was unable to get around easily, she took up jewelry making, and she was talented! Many family members were blessed with pieces she made for them.
Mary is survived by her husband Charley at their home in St. Maries, children Dustin Harpole (Jessica Thibedeau), Kelly (Aaron) Mourning, Toni Brown (Daniel Kelly), Nathan (Jessica) Harpole, Rachel Harpole, and Cassie Harpole; sister Betty Modrell; 23 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Jim Modrell, Jack Modrell Jr, and Sandy Moore. Services for Mary will be announced later.
