E. Marilla Kemmis

E. Marilla Wilson Schoonover Kemmis, 92, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, November 3, 2025.

She is survived by her children Sandy Dawson and her husband Chris, Bob Schoonover and his wife Heidi, Roley Schoonover and his wife Janice and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Marilla was born on March 3, 1933 in Towner, Colorado during the great depression and the dust bowl. Her mom and “Daddy” (Geneva and True Wilson), would move the family in 1936 to Sandpoint and eventually settle on 40 acres above the Pinecrest Cemetery.

She graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1951 and married Bob Schoonover in September of 1952. The couple had four children in Sandpoint, 1956 Sandra Eliene, 1958 Robert Andrew (Bob), 1962 Baby Boy Schoonover and 1963 Roley Dale. Her husband, Bob passed away in 1996.

In 2001 she got reacquainted with high school sweetheart Kay Kemmis at their 30-year class reunion and the couple married in October of 2001. Kay passed away in 2015.

Marilla worked at the Bonner County Courthouse in the Clerk’s Office until she “quit” in the early 1990’s (she refused to say she retired because she didn’t want people thinking she was that old). Her personal acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross led her in retirement to spend time volunteering at the hospital and serving in her local church for many years.

Marilla’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and loved taking them out to eat and going on sightseeing adventures. She also loved her monthly meetings playing “cards” with her friends.

She had a generous heart and her family will miss her warmth, love and perfect nails and hair.

Funeral services will be held on November 14, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. All family and friends are invited to celebrate her life.

Donations can be made in her name to the Bonner County Food Bank or the Crisis Pregnancy Center.