Amy Angela “Bales” Graning

Dec. 30, 1967 –– Sept. 7, 2017

Amy Graning, 49, passed away at her home in Craigmont, Idaho, Sept. 7, 2017. She was born to Maurice and Lynne (Anderson) Bales in Salmon, Idaho, on Dec. 30, 1967, and moved to Joseph with her family when she was six.

She graduated from Joseph High School in 1986, and during this time, she met her high school sweetheart, Bill Graning. They were married on Dec. 6, 1986, in Joseph.

Bill and Amy had three children. Cody, Ashley and Shelby were the light of her life. Amy enjoyed all of the activities her children were involved in whether at school, 4-H, FFA, sports or outdoor adventures. Family was very important to her.

After her children graduated high school in Wallowa County, Amy and Bill moved to Craigmont where they purchased their dream log home on eighty acres where they continued Graning’s Weed Control, their spraying business.

Amy was full of life and love, always putting others needs before hers. She will always be remembered for her amazing ability to cook and bake.

She always had a huge knack for decorating. No matter where she was she made any place, house or wall tent a home. She was a smart, talented, tough, thoughtful, gorgeous and brave woman.

She always made everyone feel welcome and loved, and that was her natural self going above and beyond for those around her. Amy was happiest being in the outdoors whether it be working, riding horses, hunting, her flower beds, snowmobiling, caring for animals or driving a tractor or combine. She was an all-around family woman who did it all.

Amy’s role of caregiver started young at the age of 12 for her mother, Lynne, who had multiple sclerosis and became a quadriplegic. She received her driver’s license early and at the age of 14 would drive to downtown Portland for Lynne’s doctors’ appointments.

Her dedication to care for others, including her grandad Verne and Lynne at the same time, in addition to working and caring for her family, kept her busy. Lynne and Verne both passed away in 1997 and Amy began a new chapter in her life. Caregiving was a special gift that Amy was blessed with and accomplished with such grace.

Amy will be laid to rest at the Prairie Creek Cemetery in Joseph next to her mother, Nancy Lynne Bales Anderson, and Grandad Verne Anderson where she will continue to be their guardian angel.

Amy is survived by her husband Bill Graning of Craigmont; children; Cody (Diana) Graning of Keuterville, Idaho, Ashley (Jacob) Spaur of Wallowa, Oregon and Shelby Graning of Joseph, Oregon; grandchildren; Mesa and Riata Graning, Kylee Spaur and Michael Graning; father; Maurice (Judi) Bales of Joseph; siblings; Kris (Kim) Bales of Bend, Ore., Marc (Melissa) Bales, of Bend, Lori (Dan) Butterfield of Joseph Greg (Velda) Bales of Enterprise, and Jill (Mike) Ledbetter of Stanfield, Ore.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and great aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Oct. 15, at the Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise. In honor of Amy’s love for cooking, a potluck style lunch is planned. For those attending, please bring your favorite dish.