Kristine Eldridge

Kristine Elizabeth (Kuntz) Eldridge, 55, died Jan. 7, 2010, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, following a battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 24, 1954, in Big Timber to Albert and Betty Kuntz. She graduated from Libby High School in 1973 and later moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, where she married Alan Eldridge. They were united in August 1976 in Coeur d’Alene. The couple had two children and later divorced in 2006.

Mrs. Eldridge worked various jobs, including nurse, waitress, telephone company receptionist and most recently with T-Mobile in Post Falls, Idaho, until her health failed in 2006. She stayed at home raising family and coping with various diseases before her final bout with cancer in 2009.

She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, sharing her laughter and big heart, reading the Bible and attending church, and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for 32 years.

She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Kuntz, in 2008; grandparents, Clemens and Barbara Kuntz, and Jordan and Minnie Lambeff; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by son, Casey Eldridge of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Misty Thelin and husband Stuart of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren, Isiah, Kyler and Carissa Thelin – all of Coeur d’Alene; mother, Betty Kuntz of Libby; brother, Mark Kuntz and wife Cathy of Maricopa, Ariz.; sisters, Barbara Huckins and husband Chris of Athol, Idaho; Mary Pedersen of Corvallis, Ore.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

A special informal memorial was held for family and close friends on Jan. 8 at the Revolution Church in Hayden, Idaho with her brother, Mark Kuntz, officiating. Another memorial service in honor of her life followed on Jan. 16 at the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall in Rathdrum.