Charlotte Lavina Demlow was called home to the arms of Jesus on December 11, 2025.

Born on November 21, 1938 in Mason City, Washington to Robert and Mildred Gibbs. The family moved to Hope, Idaho for a time before settling on sixty acres on Freeman Lake Road in west Bonner County. Charlotte thrived there and was a true country girl.e

She was active in 4-H and loved raising her steers even though selling them at the fair always brought tears. She also participated in the Priest River junior Rifle Club and was a crack shot winning many medals and trophies. Charlotte graduated from Priest River High School in 1957 and joined The Women’s Air Force. She received Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas before being assigned to Del Rio, Texas where she met the love of her life Sgt.George “Bud” Demlow. They were married on December 21, 1957 in Waco, Texas.

The couple then went to Sandia Air Base, New Mexico, then to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and came full circle back to Lackland, where Bud served as a T.I. for the Basic Military Training School. She was always extremely proud of their military service. Bud retired in 1972 and the family moved to Charlotte’s childhood home, settling in Newport, Washington.

Charlotte soon found work in the office of The Treasurer for Pend Orielle County. Her dedication and absolute professionalism allowed her to rise in the office to become the elected County Treasurer, a position that she excelled in.

Charlotte and Bud were instrumental in the development of EMS services in Pend Oreille County, starting with EMT certification with Groom’s ambulance service and volunteering with Fire District 4. Soon they began teaching EMT courses and became among the highest rated instructors in Eastern Washington. There is not enough room to relate the number of people whose lives were touched by them while doing this work, but those who know... know.

Charlotte lost her beloved husband in 2002 and retired from County Service in 2008 and settled into a quiet life of golfing and church and focusing on loving her extensive family. Her love of community continued with her decades long involvement with Soroptimist’s International.

Charlotte was an absolute pillar of this community, which she loved. I don’t know anyone with an unkind word to say about her. She and Bud lived their lives like that. We could all take a lesson.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Mildred Gibbs, her husband of 51 years, George Demlow, her son Robert Demlow, and her daughter, Cynthia Demlow-Clark and is survived by her sister Jackie Wells, brother Waukeen Gibbs, sons Chris Demlow and Murray Demlow, grandchildren Heather Sayler, Jessica Sayler, Emily Mahoney, and great-grandchildren Jack Sayler, Videliah Evans, Zebediah Evans, Ayden Sayler and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Charlotte’s funeral service will be held at the Newport United Church of Christ at 430 W 3rd Street in Newport, Washington on Monday, December 29 at 11 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at the Newport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to your favorite local charitable organization.