Stieg W. Gabrielsen, 63

Stieg W. Gabrielsen, 63, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, while hunting in the St. Joe.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, their three children, and 10 grandchildren.

Stieg grew up in Gig Harbor, Wash., and graduated from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash.

He married Joan in 1965 and they were happily married for 42 years. In 1969, they moved to North Idaho, where Stieg became a prominent forester in the area, retiring in 2002. He had strong land ethics and practiced sustainable forest management throughout his career.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman. As a youth, he taught himself how to hunt, fish, and survive in the outdoors. This love for hunting and the outdoors was his passion.

Friends and family knew of his desire to, "die doing what I love." In this sense, God directed his steps as he died hunting with his friend and son, David.

As a husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he will be truly missed.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Hayden Lake Friends Church (at the corner of Highway 95 and Miles Avenue).

Memorials can be sent to: Union Gospel Mission 1224 E. Trent Ave. PO Box 4066 Spokane, WA 99220-0066 (509) 535-8510