Mae Frances 'Frankie' Clouse

Mae Frances “Frankie” Clouse, 103 years, 9-plus months, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Frankie was born on June 8, 1917, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in Texas.

A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date.

She married, divorced and moved to Los Angeles with her two sons in the early 1940s. During World War II, she worked repairing fuel tank bladders at a Goodyear plant just like “Rosie the Riveter.” She married the “love” of her life, Frank Clouse on March 8, 1946. They lived in West Covina until retirement in 1975, when they moved to a cabin (which Pop remodeled) on the Pend Oreille River in Sandpoint. Frank, aka “Pop” passed in 1981 while helping at Luther Haven Camp.

She was a Presbyterian and very active in her church — from the Ladies Quilting Circle, organizing the rummage sales, Women’s Bible Study, church suppers, and the Heifer project. She led the vacation bible school at Mirror Lake. She paid special attention to widows and those needing help. Frankie called nearly everyone “Baby” or “Baby-doll” and would cut to the point to know what was bothering you, and help with her wisdom. She was often called a “pistol” and had a sense of humor to the very end.

Frankie is survived by her two daughters-in-law, Joan Whitenack and Hazel Whitenack; three grandchildren, Terri Carroll, Michelle (Steve) Clayton, and Thomas (Elisa) Whitenack; six great-grandchildren, Ryan (Diane) Jimenez, Dylan (Bianca) Jimenez, Cory (Kelly) Clayton, Mark Clayton, Abigail Whitenack, and Luke Whitenack; and seven great-great-grandchildren, Madison, McKenna, Jackson, Emma and Ava Jimenez, Coral and Aurora Mae Clayton; and many very dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; sons, Tom and Larry; and sister, Rosy.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please honor her with a donation to Bonner Gospel Mission or the Samaritan’s Purse. Visit Frankie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.