Obituary of Irene L. West

Irene L. West (67) lifetime St. Maries area resident, died May 8, 2012 at Kootenai Medical Center. She was born July 18, 1944 to Ivan and Byrl (Taylor) Wilks at St. Maries, ID. She grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1962. She married Ray West on August 31, 1963 at Eureka, NV. They made their home in Santa, Emida and Fernwood. She and her husband purchased the Santa Tavern in 1971. She also was a homemaker and raised her daughter. The Tavern was sold in 1976 due to Highway construction and they purchased the Midway Cafe that same year in St. Maries. Her husband died in 1983. She continued to run the business until she sold it in 1985. Irene then worked as a bartender at the St. Maries Golf Course. She retired from that position in the late 1990's. Irene enjoyed working in her yard and being with her family. Irene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Bob Gauthier of Plummer, ID and step-sons Don Arbogast of Benton City, WA. Mike Arbogast of Pendleton , OR., Randy Arbogast of Hemet, CA and Tim Arbogast of Hood River , OR. Also surviving are her brothers and their wives Richard and Wendy Wilks of Coeur d' Alene, Leonard and Rhonda Wilks of Emida, ID and Kevin and Helen Wilks of Post Falls, ID. She is also survived by sister Emmalene Curtis of St. Maries, 3 grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren and 1 great grandaughter. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday May 19, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. At the St. Maries Elks Lodge. A reception will follow services. Her final resting place will be with her husband at Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Maries. Visit her online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Irene West's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.