Ruben Bishoff, 77

Ruben Bishoff, 77, of Salem, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters.

He was born July 19, 1931, in Moody, Idaho, the son of Henry and Katherine Weimer Bishoff.

He married DeEsta Bate on April 25, 1955, in Salem, Idaho, where they lived and raised their family.

He farmed in the Sugar City, Wilford and Salem areas. He raised potatoes, grain and hay.

Ruben  milked cows and then later converted to a Hereford cow-calf operation. With his family he enjoyed many years of branding cattle on Mother’s Day, cattle drives and cattle round-ups on their Henry’s Lake Reserve.

His favorite getaway was when he, DeEsta and their family spent weekends at his brother Harry’s trailer at Sawtelle Shadows.

On Labor Day, 14 years ago, he suffered a stroke which left his right side paralyzed, but he continued to maintain a clear mind and a good sense of humor.

He was proud of his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, DeEsta of Salem; daughter, Margie D. McDowell and a granddaughter, Valeri Syth and great-granddaughters, Samantah, Amanda and Haley, all of Sandpoint, Idaho; and daughters Mary K. (Jim) Tkachyk of Rigby, Idaho, Kathlene J. (Cleve) Young and Nancy A. (Stephen) Cook of Rexburg, Idaho, Julie V. (Lyle) Tracy of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Amy S. (Ron) Butler of Salem; two brothers, John and Harry; three sisters, Pauline, Emma and Ruby; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Dave, Henry, Alex and George; sisters, Katie and Lydia; and a great-granddaughter, Cassandra.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at the Salem LDS Church.

The family will receive friends Wednesday at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services.

Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, Idaho.