Eugene 'Gene' Ryder Savage, 76

Eugene “Gene” Ryder Savage, 76, of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away at Valley Vista Care Center in Sandpoint on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009.

Gene was born in Coolin, Idaho, on July 17, 1933, the third child of 10 children born of Otho and Marie (Van Hoff) Savage.

Gene was raised in the Priest River area before moving to Sandpoint, Idaho, where he spent most of his life. He graduated from Priest River High School in 1953.

Gene married Wanda Ereman of Sandpoint on Oct. 2, 1955, in Sandpoint. The family lived in Sandpoint at their home on West Pine Street for 45 years.

Gene worked for Kaniksu Tractor, Sandpoint Garbage Company, Bargain Supply, Bonner County Road and Bridge Department, Rickman and Fister Logging and finally Idaho Department of Lands before he retired in 1994.

He farmed, raised livestock, logged and built roads in his spare time.

Follow-ing his retirement, he and Wanda spent time each winter at their winter home in Pahrump, Nev. Gene was also a volunteer fireman for the Sandpoint Fire Department for many years.

Gene had a deep love of all life and nature, which included his family and many wonderful friends. He loved to fish, hunt, pick huckleberries, grow vegetables and explore the wilds of Idaho.

His passion was discovery — to find out what was at the end of a road in the woods and mountains of Idaho and Nevada. He passed on his fondness for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren.

He could fix almost anything. He was a dedicated recycler, and rarely passed up metal, wood or concrete if he could find a use for the materials.

He and Wanda traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and all the Western states.

The accomplishment he was most proud of was building his underground house on West Pine Street in 1981 and which was featured in Ruralite magazine.

Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wanda at the family home in Sandpoint; daughter, Renee (and Greg) Blythe of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho;  son, Tim (and Marcey) Savage of Priest River;  daughter Linda (and Adam) Ednie of Sandpoint, brother Ed (and Alice) Savage of Priest River; sister Juanita Saul of Camas Valley, Ore.; brother Vernon (and Jenny) Savage of Priest River; sister Emma (and Larry) Scott of Longmont, Colo.; sister Jo Blomenkamp of Priest River; brother Bobby (and Carolyn) Savage of Priest River; sister Dottie Yerkes of Sandpoint; sister-in-law Juanita Savage of Priest River;  grandchildren Adrian (and Angie) Menard, and Dante Menard of Coeur d Alene; Trudy Savage of Kenmore, Wash.; Lee Savage of Sagle; Michelle Levi of Sandpoint; Amanda, Logan and Buck Ednie of Sandpoint and great-grandchild Keaghan Krebs of Sandpoint. He is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Robert Savage, and his sister, Mary Savage.

We thank him for his spirit of adventure and have enjoyed memorable times camping, fishing and exploring Idaho and Nevada.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Coffelt Funeral Service’s Moon Chapel with a potluck gathering for family and friends immediately following at the Ponderay Events Center in Ponderay at 401 Bonner Mall Way Suite E.

Coffelt Funeral Services in Sandpoint is in charge of arrangements.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.