Connie Taylor

Connie Louise (Whitesell) Taylor passed away peacefully on June 17, 2018 in Post Falls, Idaho at the age of 77. She was born to the late, Vivian Elvira Phillips and Bennett Harold Miller Whitesell on April 24, 1941 in Riverton, Wyoming.

Connie was a vivacious woman. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School, and was proud of the fact that she was the first member in her family to do so. As a loving mother, she worked to support her family. In her lifetime, she worked as a school bus driver for the Lakeland School District, a tax consultant for H&R Block, a driver for Elderhostel Travel Tours (now called Road Scholar), and retired from Kaiser Aluminum’s Trent Plant as a mailroom clerk and employee activist after more than thirty years of service. A deeply compassionate and caring individual, she reached out to those in need and loved to volunteer in her community.

She enjoyed working on her home, her “cottage in the woods”. Connie became a licensed pilot through Felts Field, was an avid river rafter and wildlife enthusiast. She received a certification for Wildlife Forestry and Management via an internet course. In addition to her love of learning, she was a prolific and published poet and was briefly a local writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press.

Connie is survived by her beloved children Deborah M. (Jay) Toews, Sheri L. (Dennis) North, and Leslie Michael Kienke; her grandchildren Jeremiah Toews, Sarah Toews, Crystal (North) Caudill, Matthew North, Kessa Kienke, and Brittany Kienke; great-grandchildren Malaki Caudill, Nehemiah Caudill, Savannah Toews, and baby J.M. Toews (born the same day as Connie passed); 22 nieces and nephews, many cousins; and her precious dog, Daisy Mae. She is preceded in death by her siblings Dorothy Kienke, Bob Whitesell, and Bud Whitesell.

She believed in loving and living her life to the fullest, and “growing where God planted her”. Her love for the Lord was the strength and foundation of her life. She had a deep faith in God and loved to share her trust in his powerful guidance with those around her. Connie has impacted many in this life and will be dearly missed by all who were touched by her presence. She will be remembered as a very independent, giving, and tenacious woman who taught us that ultimately what really matters is a courageous spirit, and a generous heart.

The family would like to thank the friends and care staff at Guardian Angel Homes in Post Falls for their love and support of Connie.

Heartfelt good-byes were said in private and a celebration of life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Connie Taylor’s name to the Audubon Society or the National Arbor Day Foundation.