Rebecca Belle Niemi

Rebecca “Becca” B. Niemi, 81 of Stevensville passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at her residence.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road, Stevensville with Rev. Gordon Barry officiating. Friends may visit from 10 am until the time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Becca’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com Becca was born April 1, 1933 in Fairfield, Idaho to Raymond Thomas and Martha Rebecca (Watts) Ruby. She graduated from Wendell High School in 1951. Becca obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow and her Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in reading from the University of Western Michigan. She met her husband William “Bill” Niemi while they both were teaching in Alaska. They married on June 12, 1956. She retired from Lakeshore Public Schools in 1996. For over 50 years, Becca was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood chapter DG. Her steadfast faith was demonstrated in the many ways she served the church, including Sunday school teacher, Child Center Chairperson, camp counselor, head of the Wednesday Night Suppers, UMW president, and faithful attendance. She also enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, baking bread, watching a good rodeo, traveling the world with her husband, and spending time with her grandchildren.  Becca is survived by her loving husband of 58 years; children Jacob (Rosa Hamby) Niemi of Houston, TX, Katrina (Elden) Portice of Stevensville, Rachel (Jeff) Nickel of St. Louis, MO, Sarah (Mike) Melcher of Stevensville, and Aaron Niemi of Grand Rapids; 10 grandchildren Erica Niemi, Amanda Niemi (Michael Buchanan), Abby (Aaron) Hummel, Beth (Isaac) Vander Ark , Naomi Portice, Natalie Nickel, Laura Nickel, Mikey Melcher, Perry Melcher, Frankie Melcher; 3 great grandchildren Amaria Buchanan, Anne Rebecca Hummel, and Margaret Belle Vander Ark; brothers Harold (Helen) Ruby of Wendell, ID, Roland Ruby of Wendell, ID; sister Erma (Jim) Kemp of Cowiche, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.