Florence Jane Parke Beigh, 96, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away peacefully July 25, 2007. Florence was born Oct. 21, 1910 in Malta, Idaho to Ether Parke and Cecelia Hutchison Parke. She was one of eight children born on the family ranch. Florence attended grade school and high school at Malta. She was one of two students graduating from her class. She attended Albion State Normal School graduating in the spring of 1931 with a "Special Life Primary Diploma". She came to Cambridge in the fall of 1931 and taught the one room school at Valley View. She also taught at Mesa and Tamarack before going into the Cambridge school to teach. She taught a total of 42 years before retiring. Florence married Millard L. Beigh at Payette, Idaho on April 15, 1933. They lived on the ranch in Valley View until 1968, when they sold and moved to town. After Florence retired she enjoyed working in the yard with all her beautiful flowers. She also, enjoyed crocheting, sewing and made all of her children hand tied quilts. She dearly loved children especially her grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren and family. She is survived by three daughters Ma Ree Rowan of Sumpter, Ore., Colleen Coriell of Meridian, Idaho and Ann (Mac) Randle of Caldwell, Idaho, nine grandchildren; John (Judy) Rowan, Redmond, Ore., Gordon (Myang) Rowan, Mesa, Ariz., Jerry Rowan, Sumpter, Ore., Greg Coriell, Mark (Mar) Coriell, Valarie Champion all of Idaho; Tammy (Ron) Easton, Sara (Clyde) Powell and Mac (Katie) Randle, all of Kuna, Idaho; 20 great- grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Ward of Burley, Idaho and sisters-in-law, Ada Parke of Malta, Dee Parke of Nampa and Elsie (Bill) Robinson of California; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Millard, two sons-in-law, Tom Coriell and Jim Rowan and great grandson, Jay Rowan, her parents and three brothers, Ether, Glen and Wilmer (Dude) Parke, three sisters, Eunice Neddo, Cleone Frasier and baby sister, Marjorie. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Cambridge First Baptist Church with interment to follow at the Cambridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cambridge Ambulance Fund and Museum. Thomason Funeral Home of Weiser in charge of services. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasonfuneralhome.com.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 7/28/2007.