Nadine Elaine Barker

 Nadine E. (Gerths) Barker 81 of Post Falls, passed away peacefully at the Hospice House in Hayden with two of her children, Jeff and Julie, at her side. Nadine was born on January 5, 1942, and was the youngest of four children born to Hellena and Emil Gerths in Scobey, Montana. Her family moved to Hayden, Idaho in 1946 where they lived on a farm on the corner of Ramsey and Prairie.

   Nadine attended school in the CDA school district where she graduated with the class of 1960. Nadine met her future husband, Milo, on a blind date set up by her brother Vern. They met on July 4th of 1960. Milo and Vern reconnected in Guam where Milo served in The United States Air Force and Vern in the Army.

   Nadine and Milo traveled frequently after Milo retired. They went to Hawaii, several states across the US and every year went to Puerta Villarta, Mexico for two weeks in February for their anniversary. They often just took drives or little day trips and one time drove to Canada to buy cherries!

   Nadine became a Daughter of the Nile when Milo was a Shriner. There she met and became close friends with several of the other wives, including Patty Duke. Nadine jumped at the chance to eat out whenever someone invited her. She always looked forward to Craft Fairs during the holidays and every basketball season Nadine would call her internet provider and add on the package that would allow her to watch the Gonzaga Bulldogs! She never missed a game. Nadine was delighted to attend a few games in person with Donna, Marilyn and Dorthy. She was over the moon when they met and had their picture taken with Rob Sacre!  But Nadine's first and foremost love was playing cards, Bridge and Pinnacle. She was a dedicated player for over 50 years. Nothing stood in the way of her card playing, not birthdays,anniversaries, or a spouse in the hospital.  Nadine had such a strong bond with her card ladies that they became family.

   Nadine was a wonderful, supportive and caring mother and even more involved grandma. She loved all of her grandchildren.  Her and Milo could be found in the bleachers at the Post Falls High School watching JJ play baseball, Robbie quarterbacking for the Trojans Football team or at Lakeland cheering on Brigitte in volleyball and basketball. Nadine and Milo even traveled to Seattle for Grandparents' Day at Makayla's school. They never missed a birthday (unless it fell on card day) or graduation. Nadine was even present for the births of her great grandchildren, Trey, Colton and Brielle. Nadine was last seen at Colton's third birthday party before she was admitted to the hospital five days later.

   Nadine was a positive light to so many people. She was a good listener and never forgot a thing. She never met a stranger. Nadine had a passion for life and was a fighter to the very end. 

   Nadine was preceded in death by her husband Milo of 55 1/2 years, her parents Hellena and Emil Gerths, her mother in-law Grace Shriner, her brother Donald Gerths, several in-laws, nephews and a niece. Nadine is survived by her three children; Jeff (Lori) Barker, Julie (Tim) Kinzer, and Mitch (Jamie) Barker, her nine grandchildren; JJ Barker, Dr. Robert (Kimberly) Barker, Brian Boucher, Brigitte (Matt) Briske, Stephen Kinzer, Karli (Kyle) Meyer, Makayla (Chris) Timpson, Kinzie (Trevor) Boston and Jayden Barker, and her eleven (plus one on the way) great grandchildren, sister Ella Mae Walters, brother Vern (Reta) Gerths, sister in-law Arlene Jamison, numerous nieces and nephews.

   Please join us in celebrating Nadine's life with a memorial on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11 AM at the English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls. 

 

These services will be recorded and streamed live. In the event the service is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire service will be uploaded and available to view later in the day.