Obituary of Rhea Marie Sweatfield
Rhea Marie Sweatfield (67) longtime St. Maries, ID resident passed away in Fernwood, ID on September 9, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Rhea was born in Butte, MT on September 1, 1957, to Walter and Darline Sweatfield. She grew up in Montana until the age of 10. Sadly, Rhea’s father was killed in a mining accident; her mother moved their family to St. Maries, ID where she met Gene Branson, and the couple purchased Torchie’s Chevron. Growing up, Rhea had a passion for horses pasturing her own down on Center Avenue, and she was active in 4-H. Rhea graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1975.
Following high school, Rhea traveled around a little before returning to St. Maries and settling down having 2 children. Over the years, Rhea was a staple in almost every establishment one could go to. Her first job out of high school was at Pat and Scott’s Café. She bartended in almost every bar in St. Maries, served patrons in Torchies, Minervas, Chang Chow, Apple Tree Café, Emida Café, Frosty Mug in Fernwood, and The Long Branch in Clarkia. She spent many years at IGA in their bakery and was instrumental in their venture with Subway. Mary Moppets was a preschool Rhea assisted with, and she was a Paraprofessional at Heyburn Elementary.
In 1989 Rhea met Bob Cashdollar, and the couple made their home in St. Maries before moving to their home on Little Carpenter Creek in 1997. At that time Rhea worked at Eds R&R, a job that she loved. She was a social butterfly and found joy being able to serve and see many people while there. Hopes Haven and caring for animals was Rhea’s true calling. She volunteered for many years at Hopes Haven and helped start the can drive building the can hut across from IGA. She spent several years collecting the cans and driving them to Spokane and helped set up the Red Barn thrift store. Anything these animals needed; Rhea did not hesitate to provide. She also fostered several hundred animals over the years.
Rhea was a simple woman who enjoyed crochet, cooking, coloring, painting, collecting trinkets, and caring for her flowers and plants. Hands down her most favorite thing to do was fish. She had several places she loved to go, but the Moose Creek Reservoir was her favorite. At one time she acquired a small boat with a battery-operated trolling motor. She was so proud of her little boat, and she took it all over the place making memories on the local waters.
Rhea is survived by her longtime significant other Bob Cashdollar of Fernwood, ID; children Justin Sweatfield of Fernwood, ID and Kyndra (Luke) Noble of Muscatine, IA; siblings Fred Sweatfield of Twin Falls, ID, Wynn (Kevin) Ryan of Prescott Valley, AZ, Larry Branson of St. Maries, ID, and Brad (Diane) Branson of St. Maries; 2 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother William Stead.
A Celebration of Rhea’s Life will be on September 14, 2024, at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries at 11:00 am. Memorial donations can be made to Hope’s Haven, 53 Robinson Lane, St. Maries, ID 83861.
