Conrad J. 'Connie' Balch, 78

Conrad J. "Connie" Balch, 78, passed away in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, in Coffelt's Moon Chapel. Dale Coffelt will officiate at the service.

Connie was born in Potlatch, Idaho, on Sept. 7, 1926, the son of John and Mabel Balch. He attended Rogers High School in Spokane prior to joining the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater of operations.

He moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in May 1946, working for the Balch Lumber Co.

On Sept. 15, 1946, he married Donna Archibald in Sandpoint.

He established Connie's Cafe as a drive-in in 1952. He continued to expand, remodel and operate the restaurant until selling to Bill Bowman in 1972. In 1974, he moved to Spokane and started selling real estate. He later sold business opportunities for James S. Black and Company. He worked for Watson Co., Inc., from 1992 until 1999, moving to Sagle in 2001.

Connie served as chairman of the Sandpoint City Recreation Board, and also ran for county assessor.

He loved to go elk hunting and spend time in elk camp. He enjoyed being in business and being part of the business community. He was good at building and fixing things, around the house, with his hands.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Donna Balch of Sagle; six children, Ellen Balch of Colfax, Wash., Pamela Vietz of Irrigon, Ore., Curt Balch of Reno, Nev., Bill Balch of Sandpoint, and Renae Wendle of Mead, Wash.; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Loran Balch of Sagle and Chuck Balch of Kalispell, Mont. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.