Navella Elizabrth Beaulieu

Navella Elizabeth Beaulieu, 92, passed away Sun. Dec. 14th at Village Health Care Center. Navella was born to Harry and Marie Halverson Pelton on Sept. 22, 1922 in Lewiston, Idaho. As an only child to Harry and Marie, Navella was "beloved" by her parents as the root meaning of Navella is translated.
Navella attended grade school in Lewiston until age nine when the family moved across the river to Clarkston, WA Navella completed grade and high school in Clarkston, graduating in 1940. On June 30th, 1940, Navella married her high school sweetheart Earl Beaulieu and for the next 71 years, they were an example of the symbolism of the wedding ring, a cycle never broken. Navella and Earl raised three children, Gary, Dan and Patricia.
As a stay at home wife and mother, Navella was very active in the lives of her children, attending school ball games, being a cub scout leader, 4H mentor and sponsor, girls missionette leader, all the while being a full time wife to a husband working long and diverse hours in the lumber industry.
In 1952, the Beaulieu family moved to Couer d' Alene, ID as Earl took a job as a saw filer. During this time, Navella followed her desire to explore art and actively took up oil painting. Throughout the remainder of her life, Navella became a very accomplished artist winning many awards for her work. Friends, family and others sought Navella to do a specific painting. Navella always did as asked being ever so humble about her beautiful and meaningful art.
Following Couer d' Alene, the family moved to Superior, MT in 1956 as Earl followed the lumber industry. During this time, Earl and Navella committed themselves and their family to a life living in the love and grace of Jesus Christ as members of the Assembly of God church family. Throughout the remainder of Navella's life on earth, her faith and devotion to Christianity never faltered and was an inspiration to many. The family moved to Missoula in 1960 and even though Navella and Earl also lived in Flagstaff, AZ and back to Lewiston, ID, they returned to Missoula in 1990 to be with their children and grandchildren.
Returning to Missoula, Navella reacquainted herself with many past friends, continued her love of painting and stayed very active in her Friday bible and study group. And of course, by now Navella had six grandchildren to devote her time to and along came two great granddaughters to make it even better.
Navella and Earl, lifetime soulmates, were honored by their children, friends and family on their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries and then celebrated their 71st just prior to Earl's death in 2011.
Navella was preceded in death by her loving husband Earl. She is survived by son Gary and wife Jeri, son Dan and wife Lorrie, daughter Patricia and husband Pete Lawrenson; grandchildren Lisa Beaulieu, Chris Beaulieu, Lynn Jorgenson (Dale), Jill Pastian (Scott), Todd Beaulieu (Rae Ann), and Bill Beaulieu and seven great grandchildren Bella and Piper Beaulieu; Brian and Jessica Jorgenson; Nick, Nate and Colton Pastian.
Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 followed by a funeral service 10:00 a.m. at Garden City Funeral Home. Following the service there will be a reception in the funeral home's community room. Interment will take place after the reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Navella has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the choice of the donor or to AniMeals of Missoula.
The family would like to recognize and thank the staff of the Village Health Care Center for the care and compassion given to Navella as she transitioned into her next adventure.
Navella, we love you, will miss you dearly and look forward to seeing how you have decorated Heaven with paintings.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com



Read Navella Beaulieu's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.