Geneva Eckley, 72

F. Geneva Bennett Eckley, 72, died Aug. 20, 2007, in Mountain Home, with family at her side.

Geneva was born on July 4, 1935, in Wallowa, Ore., to Clyde and Carrie Bennett.

She married Francis (Frank) Eckley on Sept. 25, 1954 and chose to make Wallowa their home. They had their first daughter, Brenda Eckley Sarman on Oct.12, 1955, and their second daughter ,Rena Eckley Kerfoot, was born on Jan. 4, 1960.

After owning Eckley Logging with Frank for 25 years they decided to get out of the business and try something new.

They purchased the Burro Cafe and built the Mingo Motel, which Geneva managed and helped run the cafe as well. After many years at the Motel and Cafe they decided to buy into the Archway Distributorship and moved to La Grande, Ore., in 1978.

In the fall of 1985 Geneva was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. "Geneva's outlook on life was very positive and wanted to enjoy the grandchildren and live her life to the fullest," her family said. "Geneva was baptized in the Church of Christ and this was a very important step in her life as she very rarely missed going to church."

Geneva and Frank moved to Kellogg, Idaho, in 1999, where they purchased some investment property. They wanted to explore a new state in their lives and to be able to watch and spoil the grandchildren.

On Nov. 12, 2001, with the passing of Frank, Geneva moved to Mountain Home to live with her daughter, Rena, and husband, Tony. Due to the MS, Geneva lived at the Long Term Care Unit "where she was loved by all and was always smiling," her family said.

In addition to her children she is survived by seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.