Ernestene D. Becker passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

She was born Aug. 9, 1912, at Wallowa, Ore., to Claude and Ida Harvey Huffman; she was the third of five children. In 1917, at the age of 5 she moved to Clarkston. In 1918, the family moved to Ahsahka, where her father bought a ranch in the Teakean area, and her father had a sawmill. She attended school in Lewiston and Spokane.

Her father was a past Idaho state senator; this is where she got her political inspirations. She wrote many letters to the editor for the Tribune opinion page. This made her well known to the public.

Ernestene married Amos Mathews on May 20, 1931, at Libby, Mont. They later divorced. She then married Ralph Caballero on May 5, 1961, at Coeur d'Alene. They also divorced.

She worked for the Hollywood dress shop in Lewiston. She was in sales and did some modeling for Rusann's Women's Apparel in Spokane. She also worked at Lubin's dress shop in Spokane. Later, she worked at Bergman's Dress shop in Walla Walla until her retirement.

She then moved to Spokane, where she later met Johnny Becker at Sprague, Wash. They were married June 14, 1984, at Coeur d'Alene. He preceded her in death.

She was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church and a staunch Democrat. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and playing pinochle. She was known as the Neighborhood Cookie Lady. She loved children and enjoyed her dog, Val. She also enjoyed gardening.

Ernestene is survived by two sons, Farrel and Dee Mathews of Lewiston, and Drexel and Marcella Mathews of Athol, Idaho; a daughter, Gwen Schwane of Clarkston; grandchildren and their spouses, Cheryl and Ron Bashaw of Tacoma, Greg Mathews of Junction City, Kan., Doug and Sharon Mathews of Lewiston, Darin Mathews of Spokane, Mark Mathews of Helix, Ore., DeLoy and Curtis Marcyes of Renton, Wash., Les Mathews of Phoenix, Janneal Bercell of Post Falls, Idaho, Randy and Robin Vansickle of Clarkston, Ronda and Steve Beckley of McKinzey, British Columbia, Canada, and Renee and Donald Knight of Las Vegas; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Manual Hoffman; and three sisters, Freda Deno, Orla Lorinski and Corrine Traylor.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Merchant Funeral Home in Clarkston.

Memorial donations are suggested to Clarkston's Rescue 1.

Please sign the online guest book at www.merchantfuneralhome.com.