Patricia Frances Derr, 88
Patricia Frances Derr, 88, from Clark Fork, Idaho, passed in peace on Jan. 20, 2021.
Patricia was born on St Patrick’s Day March 17, 1932 in Sandpoint, Idaho, to George and Mary Alice (Mae) Fields. She grew up at Cabinet until right before starting the seventh grade, when her family moved to Clark Fork. She graduated from Clark Fork High School in 1950. In 1952, she married Roland W. Derr and they celebrated 68 years of marriage in December.
She is survived by her husband, Roland W. Derr; her son, Steve (Sally) Derr; her daughter-in-law, Lisa Derr; her granddaughters, Staci (Ryan) Bailey and Jennifer (Chris) Derr-Payne; her grandsons, Dustin (Martha) Fagan and Robert Fagan, and her great-grandchildren, Owen, Bella, Noah, and Gracie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Alice (Mae) (Mulvihill) Fields; her son, Darrell B. Derr; her sisters and brother, Addie Mae Rounsville, Marie Ruen, Georgie Gunderson, and George Fields; and granddaughter, Corie Castle.
Patricia started working for the Clark Fork post office while in high school and retired as the Clark Fork post master in 1997. She also worked at the original Litehouse in Hope, Idaho, in high school. In addition to working for the Clark Fork post office most of her life, she raised a family and did the books for the family business, William Derr & Son Inc. while doing so. After retiring, she started and ran the Clark Fork Food Bank, volunteering for many years. She was an active member of the Clark Fork Homemakers, a yearly Clark Fork Booster donator, and a devoted fan at the Clark Fork High School home basketball and volleyball games. She enjoyed going for drives, going out to eat, dancing, putting on a giant 4th of July lunch and prime rib Christmas dinner, celebrating her birthday on St Patrick’s Day, watching Gonzaga basketball, and her greatest joy was watching her grandkids play sports. She never missed a game and even traveled across country to watch her granddaughters, Staci and Jennifer play volleyball in high school and college and she was able to watch her great-granddaughter Bella play volleyball via livestream in November. She will be missed dearly by her family and community.
A celebration of life will be held this summer and announced at a later time. The family requests in lieu of flowers for the family at this time, a donation to the Clark Fork Food Bank be made if desired.
Family and friends are invited to sign Patricia’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.