Fred 'Pa' Lartz

Fred passed away at Valley Vista Care Center in Sandpoint, Idaho, with his family at his bedside on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. He was 82 years old. He had suffered a poor recovery after his triple bypass surgery in September 2008.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty or "Dolly" as he called her, at the home on Jackson Street, and four children, Colleen Carol Lartz of Spokane, Wash., Cheryl Lynn Lartz of Priest River, Idaho, Scott Allen Lartz Sr. (Diana) of Spokane Valley, Wash., and Michelle Renee Parge (Kirk) of Hayden, Idaho; grandchildren Marla Elizabeth (Hirst) Winter, Heather Lyn Hoiland, Kelly Anne (Hirst) Kendall (Loren), Jennifer Marie Lartz, SheriAnn Christina Lartz (Brock), Scott Allen Lartz Jr. (Lindsay), Cody Allen Graham, Cameron Karl Graham, and their father, Kenny Graham. Great-grandchildren are Hunter Dakota Winter, Tristan Kenneth Winter, Trenton Scott Lartz, and Caleb Joseph (Lartz) Reidt. There is also one great-grandchild soon to be expected.

A lifetime native of Priest River, he was born at the Lartz home on the "Hoodoo" to Frederick Sr. and Alice Hazel Hodges Lartz May 31, 1926. He joined his fraternal twin, Theodore, and later sisters Jean and Alice Margaret.

He spent his childhood years on the "Hoodoo" and attended the one room "Sunny Glen" school. He then attended Priest River High School and graduated in 1944. Fred and Ted explored the scenic Priest River/Priest Lake area and spent many summers manning the lookouts and riding the trains. There were many stories heard of him bringing strings of mules to the Forest Service relay stations — once all the way on mountain trails from Missoula. He loved and had manned every lookout at Priest Lake.

He joined the U.S. Army and was a medic during World War II in the Asian Pacific Theater. He graduated from Fort Sam Houston and then served dually in the U.S. Marines. He was on many hospital ships and assisted in the triage of many MASH units. He respected his country, taught his family the same, saluted the flag in parades and never ignored anyone in uniform.

 After being discharged, he returned to Priest River and in due time met and married Betty Maxine Byers on May 2, 1948. They bought their only home in 1955 where they began their family.

He worked as a millwright in many area sawmills and retired from Diamond International Corporation. He had attended SCC, took hydraulics and helped build and operate the chip plant at Albeni Falls as plant manager. The company would later send him to Maine to train others on how to build and operate chip plants.

After retiring he  traveled extensively with his family to many places like the Oregon Coast, Banff, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, the Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and twice to Hawaii. It was in Hawaii that he donned his Veterans of Foreign Wars regalia and paid his respects to all those who died on USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941. He was an active member of the VFW Post 2909 in Priest River and was commander for 10 years.

His post was responsible in raising money and contributing to the purchase of a van to transport Vets to and from the hospitals for routine appointments, the "Voice of Democracy" scholarship fund at the high school, and of course, flags for schools — so many things this organization does for the community. He had every one of his grandchildren selling buddy poppies: luckily he had the troops. These are fond memories.

He enjoyed spending time with all of his family at his river property at Thama. He also loved to hunt but did it respectfully and responsibly.  He was an avid reader, student of history, especially western history and that of trains, model trains or otherwise. He enjoyed bright sunny days, Christmas, spring, and the Fourth of July.

He loved to ride his Yamaha snowmobile, four wheeler, and motorcycle. He took pleasure in parades, music, museums, football, boxing, camping, and talking with friends and family. He was part Blackfoot Indian from the  Browning tribe and believed in spirituality, how to treat animals, and listen to nature. It is interesting to note that Fred's favorite pet, a yellow lab; "Fat Baby," owned by granddaughter Kelly Kendall, died the same day of natural causes.

 The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Valley Vista Care Center in Sandpoint for the kind, respectful, professional care that Fred received during his stay.

 Memorial services, with full military honors, will be held Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River, Idaho. A reception for family and friends will be held after the service at the VFW Hall in Priest River. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Clarence F. Holland, VFW Post 2909 in Priest River, and be asked to please pray for all of our service men and women and their families through out the world.

 Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home and Crematory in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.sherman-knapp.com.