Collene Prickett Obituary (1935 - 2017)

Collene June Prickett, 82, of Kamiah, died July 12, 2017, at the Grangeville Health and Rehab Center, with her daughters at her side. Collene (Connie) was born January 21, 1935, in Redfern, South Dakota to Earl and Ceacle Allgier, and was the youngest of 10 children. Connie grew up in Hill City, South Dakota and the surrounding areas, where she eventually met her future husband, Cliff Prickett, at a family gathering. Connie and Cliff were married at a young age and lived in the Black Hills area. For reasons unknown, Cliff called Connie the "Dutchman", a nickname that stayed with her the rest of her life. While there, they raised four daughters and one son. In 1970, they pulled up stakes and moved to Kamiah, Idaho, where Cliff found work at a local sawmill. For the next 13 years, they lived at several locations, including Woodland, where Connie had to use her incredible skills in turning often run-down homes into decent, comfortable living quarters. Following the raising of their children, Cliff and Connie took a job as caretakers on a ranch in Cody, Wyoming, where Cliff honed his skills as a cowboy, and Connie cooked for the many ranch hands, plus helped care for a large collection of exotic birds. Connie often said living there was a very happy time of her life. They stayed there five years, before moving back to Kamiah for good. Back in Kamiah, Connie continued her skills as a homemaker, while Cliff worked in the Older American Program of the US Forest Service. Connie also worked in the Older American Program for a brief time. For several years, she and Cliff volunteered as hosts of the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, another experience she greatly enjoyed.Aside from being a homemaker, Connie was a skilled artist, working mostly in oils and acrylics, and completed many paintings for family and friends. As a skilled seamstress, Connie made most of her children's school cloths, and later made her daughter's prom dresses and formal wedding gowns. She also made the best apple pie, as reported by those lucky enough to enjoy one. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her oldest daughter Barbara Clark, and her husband Cliff of 64 years. She is survived by her daughters Robin, Kathy, Sandy; and son John and their respective families, plus 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Although she will be greatly missed, she is likely now with countless past relatives and friends who are ready to deal her a hand of pinochle or play a rousing game of Waa-Hoo. The Funeral Service will be 10:00am Tuesday July 18, 2017 at Trenary Funeral Home. A Potluck dinner will follow at The Life Center Church on Highway 12. Inurnment will take place 7:00pm at Woodland Cemetery.