Obituary of Mary E. Burch Bedwell
Mary E. Burch Bedwell (64) lifelong St. Maries area resident passed away at her home on April 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Kenneth and Barbara Hult on October 31, 1960, at Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries. Mary was born and raised near St. Maries on the Harrison Flats. She attended the Kootenai School District for most of her schooling, her high school years were spent at St. Maries High School.
Before she graduated, she met Kenneth Burch and the couple had their daughter Heather. Mary obtained her Commercial Driver’s License and partnered up with Ken. They went to work for Systems Transport and took Heather out on the road with them. After 5 years of this life, Mary wanted to stay at home to raise Heather and enroll her in school. This was tough on her marriage to Ken, and they divorced, however they remained the best of friends.
Mary met Gene Bedwell and the couple had an instant connection. They married in Southern Idaho on November 17, 1984. Gene was a logger, and Mary went to work by his side, hooking logs and driving a log truck. After years of this career, Gene was in an accident that changed their lives forever. Looking for change Mary became a Certified Nursing Assistant and went to work for Valley Vista Care Center. She later worked as a Traveling CNA and was given the opportunity to work close to home in St. John and Tekoa, WA. It was great pay, and the schedule was perfect for her. Mary then decided to go back to school and through North Idaho College and the Satellite campus of LCSC, she was able to earn her BA Degree in Social Work in 2012.
The Benewah Valley was in Mary’s heart and soul. She was a member of the Benewah Valley Association, Benewah Home Demonstration Club, attended church at the Benewah School House, and was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for the Benewah Valley Picnics. She was generous with her time and money wherever there was a need in the community. Camping trips to Elk River and 4-wheeler rides were some of her favorite memories with family. Having an extreme sweet tooth, Mary had an addiction to candy and ate it every day. All of her grandchildren could count on her to buy boxes of candy bars or sweets for their fundraisers. She also loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and canning. Mary was a spitfire, bold and sassy with one of the biggest hearts you will ever see in a person, and she loved her family fiercely.
Mary is survived by her daughter Heather Burch (Chris Streissguth) of St. Maries; sister LeAnn (Bill) McGregor of Spangle, WA; mother Barbara Ann Hult of St. Maries, ID; her beloved grandchildren Eddie “Edaroo” Hemphill, Savanna Streissguth, and Kenny Ann Streissguth all of St. Maries, ID; all of her Cook and Bedwell family too many to list. She is preceded in death by her father Kenneth Hult, her husband Gene Bedwell, and ex-husband Kenneth Burch.
A Memorial Service will be on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 am at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow at 3:00 pm at the Benewah Valley School House.
