PHYLLIS LOUISE (ROHN) OWNBEY

Phyllis Louise Rohn Ownbey, age 91, passed away at LaDow Court Assisted Living in Garfield, WA on the evening of December 26th, 2018.

Phyllis was born in Moscow, Idaho on August 7th, 1927. She graduated from Potlatch High School and soon after married her husband Ralph R. Ownbey on February 14th, 1947. They were married at Phyllis’ parent’s, Frank and Mary Rohn, farm near Potlatch Idaho. Phyllis and Ralph were together for 64 years before Ralph’s death in 2011.      

Their early marriage was spent farming near Buhl, Idaho.  In 1955, they moved to Potlatch where Ralph worked at the Potlatch lumber mill until it’s closing in 1980. Phyllis originally worked at home taking care of their children.

Phyllis completed her college education, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Idaho, and began teaching in 1962. The family’s best estimate is she taught and impacted the lives of over 700 fourth and fifth graders at Potlatch elementary school. She retired after 25 years of teaching in 1987.

In retirement, Phyllis and Ralph enjoyed RV camping and square dancing with their friends and vacationing with their children, grandchildren and extended family.  Their grandchildren’s fondest memories include spending summers at their grandparent’s farm.   

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, and her youngest son, David. She is survived by her other two sons and their wives, Randy and Carol, and Duane and Eleanor; five grandchildren, Cameron, Chad and Ryon Ownbey, Jaime Ledger and her husband, Mark, and Nicole Antich; and five great-grandchildren, Jacob and Sam Ownbey, Tyler and Brody Ledger and Beck Antich. She also leaves behind an extended family and many friends who loved her and will miss her greatly.

A memorial service with the burial immediately following will be held at Freeze Church in Potlatch, Idaho on Wednesday, January 2nd at 1:00pm. A potluck reception will follow at the family home at the corner of Freeze Road and Highway 95.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Freeze Cemetery care of Randy Ownbey at 1276 W. Freeze Rd, Deep Creek Rd., Potlatch, ID 83855.

Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, is caring for the family. You are invited to leave online condolences and order flower for the family at www.kramercares.com.

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