Lillian Elizabeth Kantola

Lillian "Elizabeth" Kantola, 96 of Bothell, WA, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. She was born October 12, 1920 in Floodwood, Minn, the daughter of the late Michael W and Lillian Keziah (Isojoki) Raihala. Elizabeth married Laurie Jack Kantola on June 18, 1939 in Floodwood, Minn. He preceded her in death on October 17, 1968 in Clarkston, WA. Elizabeth was a 1938 graduate of Lincoln High School in Floodwood, Minn. She worked in grocery stores in Northern Minnesota until moving to Clarkston, WA in 1959. Elizabeth graduated from Clarkston Public School as a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked at TriState Hospital in Clarkston and nearby nursing homes. She continued working at the hospital and received her license in X-ray Technologist in 1965. In 1973, she moved to Grangeville, Idaho and worked at Park Hill Manor retirement home. Elizabeth continued her education at St. Gertrudes at Cottonwood, Idaho, then moved to Lewiston, Idaho and graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1977 as a Registered Nurse. She returned to Grangeville and became the Director of Nursing at Idaho County Nursing Home until her retirement in 1982. Elizabeth cared for her dear friend and companion, Foster Morgan until his death in April, 1996. She was active in the LPN Board, RT and Registered Nurses organizations, life member of Order of Eastern Star, Mountain Queen Chapter #11 where she served as Worthy Matron from 1981-82, past Matrons OES President from 1982-84, member of Prairie Nile Club where she was President from 1982-83 and Treasurer in 1984; member of Malac Temple #55, Daughter of the Nile in Lewiston, Idaho; member of Eiram Court #62. Elizabeth moved to Bothell, WA with her daughter, Rose in 2001 and became an active member of Northshore Senior Center shortly before her death. Elizabeth loved spending time with family and enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time outdoors, quilting, painting, gardening, crafts and knitting Christmas stockings. She was proud of her family and their accomplishments. Elizabeth enjoyed the elderly pioneer patients she cared for and loved to hear from the Idaho students of Grangeville, Cottonwood and Riggins High Schools that received scholarships that were set up by Elizabeth and Foster Morgan. Elizabeth is survived by five children, Edward Laurie Kantola, Lillian Ida Hellebusch, Rose Marie Shatos, Betty Mae Niemann and Emil Kantola; 14 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 19 great great-grandchildren and a brother, Marc Allen Raihala. She was preceded in death by a son James Henry Kantola, brother, William Henry Raihala and three sisters, Marion Aileen Rahala, Ida Marcella Bukstein and Rebecca Jane Trask. Arrangements are being handled by Lifetime Celebrations by Washelli, 18224 103rd Avenue NE, Bothell, WA.