March 7 ^th , 2022 was an amazing day for the Markham family as Paula June Rainer Markham made her home going into the loving presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 73. Paula was born on May 31, 1948 to Alphonse "Al" H. and Geneva June (Ardent) Rainer of Chewelah, WA.

She attended St. Mary's Catholic School through the 8 ^th grade and graduated from Jenkins High School in 1966.  Paula attended Spokane Community College and then worked at Hollister-Stier Laboratories in Spokane.  On January 4, 1969, she married Michael Markham of Kettle Falls, whom she met at an Addy Grange Hall dance.  After Mike's discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1971, they lived in Otis Orchards, WA, before purchasing property in Summit Valley, 10 miles west of Addy.  They have lived there for 46 years.  Paula loved being a stay-at -home mom, raising her three children, Barry, Lance and Leah.  In the 1990's, Paula and Mike traveled to Romania and adopted two girls from an orphanage, Elena and Aurica.  In 2004, Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She fought it with mostly alternative methods for 16 years.  In 2018 she gave into chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Paula was a 4-H leader and taught Bible studies for many years.  She and Mike raised a big garden each year.  Paula would can and freeze hundreds of jars of food. They also raised chickens, hogs, horses and a few cows.  Paula loved to read and collected hundreds of books.  She read her Bible through every year and found great joy in her relationship with Christ.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Michael Markham; two sons, Barry Markham (Sally) of Yakima, WA, Lance Markham (Amy) of Young Harris, GA; three daughters, Leah J. Crockett (Shawn) of Summit Valley, WA, Elena Markham of Spokane and Aurica Jones of Colville, WA; 14 grandchildren; two brothers, Warren Rainer (Cindy) and Wayne Rainer (Sharon) both of Spokane, WA; two sisters, Donna Campbell (Jack) of Colville, WA and Roma Ambacher (Norm) of Chewelah, WA; many nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

Services for Mrs. Paula J. Markham will begin with a graveside service at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Summit Valley Cemetery followed by the memorial service at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19 ^th , 2022 at the Summit Valley Community Church.   Memorial contributions may be given to NEW Family Life Services, 144 W. 5 ^th Avenue, Colville, WA 99114 and/or the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane, WA.   Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com .  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with Paula's care, cremation and arrangements.