Ernestine passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, at Prestige Care Center - The Orchards in Lewiston, from ongoing health complications.
Ernestine, an enrolled Colville Confederated tribal member, was born Sept. 7, 1938, in Toppenish, Wash., to Edward Paul Sr. (Colville) and Myra Moses Paul (Nez Perce). She was raised on the mouth of Cottonwood Creek in Stites with seven siblings. At a young age, Ernestine enjoyed riding horses and spent time gardening and gathering with her family.
In 1961, she married Mark Joseph Allen Jr., and they traveled to many areas, working at different jobs in the Northwest before having three children, Ben, Mark and Myra at the family home in Culdesac. They later divorced, and in 1969 she married Frank Mesplie in Seattle, where she lived throughout most of her life.
Ernestine attended a technical college in the Tacoma area, receiving her certificate for drafting. Although she did not take up this line of work, she eventually became a homemaker and settled in with Frank Mesplie. Ernestine lived many years in the Seattle-Tacoma area and became a caregiver for friends and family members. She loved music, traveling, and spending time with her cats. She eventually became the "cat lady" of Lenore, to which she claimed her cats were her "wayakin" (spirit animal) and stated she also had nine lives.
Ernestine is survived by one brother, Benjamin (Butch) Paul of Nespelem, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents and other siblings, brothers Leo, Eddie Jr., Elmer and Kenny; and by her sisters, Pauline and Marie. Her son, Mark Edward Allen III, passed away recently in February.
Her surviving children are Ben (Sue) Allen of Clarkston and Myra (Larry) Campbell of Culdesac; grandchildren Jeremy Bovencamp, Skyler Wilson, Shilo Wilson, Michael Robinson, Alan Robinson, Steven Robinson, Andrew Robinson and Melissa Robinson; and numerous great-grandchildren.
A private family viewing will take place at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home. Cremation will take place, so there will not be a burial service. A nondenominational memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai, with a dinner to follow at 11:30 a.m.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, November 1, 10:00 AM
- Location
-
Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center
99 Agency Rd.
Lapwai, ID 83540
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Condolences
Susan, Robert, Dusty and Dakotah Meisner
Our sincerest sympathies go out to Ernie's family. We truly enjoyed being neighbors with her. I tried to spend as much time as I could, sitting with her and talking about her cats and and just things. She was a very smart and astute lady and will be greatly missed.
Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:14 PM
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