Mauna D. Bunting, 76

Mauna Bunting died on January 2, 2006 at her home in Grangeville after a lengthy illness. At her side was the love of her life, her most trusted caregiver, and her husband of 55 years, Louis Bunting. She left this life with the loving support of her twin sister Leila Long, and her daughters Ann Palmer and Cindy Mottner and many other friends, neighbors and relatives who visited her over the final days of her journey.

Mauna was born to Winifred and Harry Fahnlander, along with her identical twin Leila, on December 6, 1929 in Monitor, WA. She grew up and graduated from high school in Missoula MT. She moved to Grangeville in 1948 where she worked as a telephone operator. Like many small town operators of the time, she came to know many of her customers by the sound of their voices, and she often served as their lifeline to medical and other kinds of help in their times of crisis.

She met Lou at a dance in December of 1950 and they were married four months later in April of 1951. She inherited a ready made family in the form of Fay Marie and Bobbie, ages 7 and 6. She quickly mastered what was to become her favorite focus in life, that of wife and mother. The family was expanded to include Annie on July 4th, 1952 and Cindy on December 10, 1953

Mauna served the community at various times through the Hospital Auxiliary and as a member of PEO. She loved golf, playing bridge and traveling with Lou to Ford Motor Company dealership meetings, but she loved nothing more than the annual family gatherings for Border Days celebrations.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Fay Marie Caley, her brother Monte Fahnlander, and her parents Winifred and Harry Fahnlander. She is survived by her devoted husband Lou Bunting, Grangeville, sister Leila Long, Issaquah, WA., sister Gloria Repp, Colfax, WA., son-in-law Ben Caley, Redmond WA., son & daughter-in-law Robert and Maria Bunting, Bainbridge Island WA., daughter and son-in-law Ann and Gary Palmer, Lewiston ID, daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Peter Mottner, Everett WA., and seven grand children and thirteen great grand children.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to “Dr. Jim” Gardner for his very personal and selfless level of care rarely seen in the medical profession today. In addition, special thanks to Haley Silveria and Alice Ferguson for their professional skill and extraordinary compassion.

An open house celebration of Mauna’s life will be held at The Gallery, 107 W. North, Grangeville, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 7th. A private family memorial is planned prior to the open house.

Memoriam contributions may be made to Syringa General Hospital Foundation, 607 W. Main, Grangeville, ID 83530.

Send condolences to the family at Blackmerfuneralhome.com