Nola Maxine Kacalek

Nola Kacalek passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve 2024, at the Autumn Breeze Assisted Living Facility in Buhl where she had lived for two years. She was surrounded by family. She was born Nola Maxine Birdwell on June 16, 1926, at home in Coos Bay, Oregon, to Allen R. Birdwell and Leta “June” Harris Birdwell; the oldest of seven children. In 1937, her family moved to Buhl where she attended school. She married Irving Kacalek on August 25, 1944 in Elko, Nevada. They resided in the Magic Valley for many years, before moving to Bellevue, Idaho.

Irv and Nola moved to Bellevue in 1965 where she went to work for the US Postal Service and was later appointed as postmaster. Nola retired in 1987 after 20 years of dedicated service.

She and Irv enjoyed rock hunting, fishing, hunting, gardening and canning together. Nola had many hobbies including sewing, embroidery, crocheting, rug hooking, and bowling. She was an extraordinary cook, and her breakfasts and Thanksgiving dinners were legendary. She was a member of the Sagebrush Art Guild of Gooding - winning several blue ribbons in local county fairs for her paintings. She was a member of Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and didn’t know a stranger. Her beautiful smile brightened everyone's day. Nola was generous with her time and resources, and she was deeply loved and will be missed by many. Later in life she enjoyed word search books, adult coloring books, thrift stores and yard sales. She also had a life-long special bond with all her pets.

The family wants to sincerely thank the staff at Autumn Breeze Assisted Living and Heritage Hospice for their warm, personal and professional care of Nola and those close to her. 

She is survived by daughters, Connie Kacalek of Filer, Carole Sherman of Jerome, and Margaret Kacalek of Tennessee; five grandchildren;10 great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren (five generations); sisters, Beverly Wagner, Barbara Barnes, Sharon Chandler; brother, Melvin Birdwell; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to those mentioned above, she was “Grandma” to several other special people. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Irv; her parents; sister, Marion Birdwell; and brother William “Bill” Birdwell. 

Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org or the charity of your choice.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, with a viewing beginning at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave North, Buhl.  At a later date, Interment will take place in the Bellevue Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to Irv, her husband of 59 years.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Nola's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.