Lee (Leroy) Mahler, 75
Lee (Leroy) Mahler, 75, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division St., in Sandpoint, Idaho. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Sandpoint with military honors.
Lee was born March 23, 1931, to Henry and Eva Mahler in Black, Texas. They moved to Highland Flats outside Bonners Ferry in 1938. In the early 1940s, Lee's mother married Paul Marcy.
On their family farm, Paul helped instill a strong sense of family and a terrific work ethic in Lee. In his spare time, Paul taught Lee and his brothers how to hunt, fish and the art of storytelling.
Lee graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1949, where he was president of his senior class and enjoyed a stellar high school sports career. He lettered his freshman through senior years in boxing as well as football and track.
After graduating, he soon began working at the First National Bank of Bonners Ferry.
In 1951, the Korean War was in progress so Lee joined the Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Bairoko off the coasts of Korea.
He also was a witness to the first series of hydrogen bomb explosions in the Bikini Islands, an unforgettable experience.
Lee married Peggy L. MacDonald in Coeur d'Alene on Sept. 20, 1953.
On March 21, 1954, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy.
Lee and Peggy then returned to Bonners Ferry, where he resumed working at the First National Bank. The Bank of Idaho purchased the First National Bank of Bonners Ferry on March 1, 1962, and in 1963, Lee was transferred to the Sandpoint branch.
He was promoted to branch manager in January 1965. He retained this title through acquisitions by First Interstate Bank and Wells Fargo until his retirement in 1991.
Lee was an avid sportsman, hunting and fishing with friends and family. His love of the forests and outdoors created and/or maintained many family traditions. He spent as much time as possible on the lakes, and in the mountains and forests of Idaho.
Most of his extended family has learned to love time in the woods — whether backpacking to an alpine lake for fishing, searching for and picking the little purple huckleberries, or simply spending time together.
Lee always placed his family first, including hosting an adopted-like daughter from Germany, Verena Bannert. Lee was a longtime active member of the Sandpoint United Methodist Church.
He was a leading member of the Sandpoint Lions Club for the past 42 years. He also was a Sandpoint Elk for more than 40 years. He has given much time and energy to our community.
Lee is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy MacDonald Mahler; his daughter, Dianna Sauer of Coeur d'Alene; his son, Alan Mahler and daughter-in-law, Aida Mahler, of Sandpoint; his aunt, Hazel Hareno of Kellogg; his granddaughter, Nicole Sauer of Coeur d'Alene; grandsons Ryan Mahler of Orange, Calif., Cody Andrews of Sandpoint, Blake Mahler of Sandpoint, and Jordan and Jerod Sauer of Coeur d'Alene; a great-grandson, Kail Sauer of Coeur d'Alene; and numerous nieces and nephews from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Wyoming.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Eva Marcy; his stepfather, Paul Marcy; his father, Henry Mahler; his daughter, Carol Mahler-Gutierrez; and brothers, Raydean, Charlie and Tom Mahler.
Memorials may be made to Wells Fargo Bank, account number 7912327181, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.