Shared History

For years, many local residents had shown an interest in a cemetery, memorial area or memory gardens at Priest Lake. Several local leaders, including Jim Anderson and Craig Hill, actively pursued the idea. When Kathryn Pratt passed away in 2013, several individuals from various groups with which she was involved undertook the task of locating a place for a “memorial garden” that would honor her memory.

Several preliminary locations were considered in 2014. A group called a public meeting at Priest Lake Elementary School on June 7, 2014, to determine if there was support for such a project. Eighteen people showed up and a robust discussion ensued.

Several meetings followed at various locations open to anyone who wanted to be a part of the planning process. These early meetings were facilitated by Don Howell with minutes taken by Gracia Anderson. Some of the other early supporters were Marcella Cooper, Lana Feldman, Dallas Gray, Margaret Hall, Dick & Susan Hamm, Craig Hill, Ev Jamieson, Lu Loree, Diane Maas, Vern & Jeannie Melvin, Pat Nilson, Don Pratt, Althea Sondahl, Bob Stutz and Mary Toutonghi.

The Kaniksu Lions of Priest Lake donated $500 to help kick-start the project. Articles of Incorporation were accepted by the State of Idaho in August of 2014. The first individual donation came when Hank & Arlene Clauson gave $100. Those were the only donations in 2014.

Marcella Cooper volunteered to donate a piece of her property, about 15 acres, to the organization. But, it was considered to be too far north to be accessible to residents on the east side of Priest Lake. By-Laws were written, papers were submitted to become a non-profit corporation, a Board of Directors was appointed and non-profit 501(c)(3) status was achieved in 2015. Criteria was created for the Memory Gardens and twenty-two potential sites were investigated. The majority of these sites were on National Forest Service land. But, the Forest Service indicated buying such property was nearly impossible. Also, swapping the property donated by Marcella Cooper for Forest Service land also was very improbable.

In May 2015, the process was finally narrowed down to a five-acre site adjacent to the Priest Lake Golf Course near Highway 57. Negotiations were underway to purchase this land to establish the Priest Lake Memory Gardens.

In September 2015, Jessica Longcosty and Kathleen Martin were contracted to help with fundraising. Gore and Grewe P.S. volunteered to assist with legal matters. In addition, a landscape architect, Dave Nelson of Lands Expressions, offered assistance in creating a master plan for the new location.

Fundraisers were held in November and December 2015 to create public awareness and raise additional money needed to get the project underway. A total of $14,373 was raised in 2015. A list of what was desired at the Priest Lake Memory Gardens was established in January 2016 and presented to Land Expressions. They started creating a master plan. Several events were held in 2016 including a golf tournament, spring market and a beer & wine festival to raise money, public awareness and support.

After successful initial fundraising, ground was broken and several memory screens were installed. A Grand Opening was held in August of 2019.