Leland 'Bud' Kersten

Leland "Bud" Kersten, born Dec. 29, 1927, peacefully passed away at the Boundary County Extended Care Facility on April 7, 2006, from causes related to Parkinson's disease. He was 78.

Bud and his wife, Leila Fay Kersten, moved to the North Idaho area in July 2001, from Aloha, Ore. He retired from the Portland Public School District in 1993, and also from the Sheet Metal Workers Union after 40 years.

Bud enjoyed family and the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing, even picking up golf following his retirement. He enjoyed building scale model wooden ships, including interiors and rigging and was a thorough perfectionist in his craftsmanship.

A lifelong artisan, one of Bud's major accomplishments was building his own house from the ground up. One could say that he raised his house and his family at the same time, though Leila would argue which one was finished first.

Bud treasured his military service as well, a World War II veteran Navy man, assigned to the fleet oiler USS Kaskaskia. Bud was active with the Kaskaskia Memorial Association, attending several veterans' reunions after his retirement.

Another of his hobbies included metal detecting, in which Bud won several awards for local competitions. He also provided expertise to local law enforcement, assisting in evidence searches for a major case.

Bud is survived by his wife of 54 years, Leila; daughter Kathleen Diddock of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; son Leland Kersten Jr. of North Plains, Ore.; daughter Vickie Spracklen of Boise, Idaho, and his sister Charlotte Roudybush, of Westminster, Calif.; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren were the lights of Bud's life and gave him many years of happy memories.

At his request, no memorial services are currently planned. Disposition of Bud's ashes will take place privately in the presence of immediate family only.