Lola Faye (Bickle) Phar passed away peacefully into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior on July 10, 2019 at The Hospice House in Spokane, Wash. Lola was 92 years old.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Dianne and Ken Yorke, grandson Willie and his wife Amy Yorke and two great-grandchildren, RJ and Abigail Yorke, all of Cheney Wash.; one brother David Bickle of Portland, Ore. and sister Bonnie Fitzsimmons of Reno, Nev., as well as many nieces and nephews. Lola is preceded in death by her husband Bill, brothers Bill Bickle, Calvert Bickle, Willis Bickle and Elbert Bickle and sister Mary Davis.
Lola was born near Stites, Idaho to Elsie (Collins) Bickle and William Ben Bickle on Jan. 4, 1927. She graduated from Kooskia High School in 1945 and was married to Willie (Bill) Phar in Lewiston in 1947. Bill’s job at First Security Bank took them to Grangeville, Kamiah, Genesee and Craigmont over the years until retirement in 1981 when they then moved back to Grangeville.
They remained there until 2006 when they moved to Cheney to be nearer daughter and family. Lola was active in the Central Idaho Art Association for many years and a charter member in the Prairie Art Association. She was a featured artist at many art galleries in the area and exhibited at art fairs, shows, galleries, plus commission work. She started painting early in married life and her oils and watercolors are spread across the world.
Once retired, she and Bill spent much time traveling in their camper or RV and spent many winter months in Arizona where she continued to paint and make new lasting friendships. Besides her art, she enjoyed fishing, picking huckleberries, camping, mushrooming, music, family and enjoying the beauty of Central Idaho where she had spent the majority of her life. She was an avid gardener and was known for her wonderful pies among friends and family, especially huckleberry, and she loved sharing them.
Lola was an active member in the local Church of the Nazarene wherever she lived. Her love of God and testimony to her faith showed in her sweet smile and demeanor. She always found the good in people and, like her mother and grandmother, was a devout believer in prayer.
She leaves a wonderful legacy and example to friends and family. Lola’s Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at the Church of the Nazarene, 338 W. Betz St. in Cheney on July 20, 2019 at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Spokane Memorial Gardens. We ask that anyone wanting to donate in her honor consider Gideons International and Hospice of Spokane.
Online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com. Cheney Funeral Chapel, Cheney, Wash.
Reader Comments(0)