Patrick M. Connett, 94

A graveside service for Patrick M. Connett, 94, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at noon at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho. A luncheon will follow the service at the L.atter-day Saints stake center at 602 Schweitzer Cutoff Road in Sandpoint.

Mr. Connett died early Sunday evening surrounded by family in the home of his daughter and son-in-law.

Mr. Connett was born on June 9, 1916, at Sagle, Idaho, to Lewis and Nettie (Moore) Connett. He attended his schooling at Sagle.

Patrick married Evelyn Moline on Dec. 15, 1938, in Sandpoint and the couple made their home in the Granite and Cocolalla, Idaho, area for the next eight years.

Pat farmed and raised cattle on the ranch  at Cocolalla. In addition to farm responsibilities, he drove  a school bus taking high school students from Granite to Sandpoint.

After dropping the students off, he worked in a hardware store in Sandpoint until it was time to pick up students and take them back to Granite. His family knew him as a hardworking father. Later he sold the farm and his family moved to Sandpoint in 1950 until 1962.

Pat purchased a truck  to haul milk for the farmers to the Carnation Plant in Sandpoint. After he sold the milk route, he purchased a tractor-trailer and was a self-employed long-haul truck driver until he and his wife  moved to Othello, Wash., in 1962 and where they lived until 1966.They then moved to Spokane, Wash., until 1998 when they moved to Moscow, Idaho, to be close to their daughter and son-in-law. His wife, Evelyn, preceded him in death in November 2000.

Patrick was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed helping deliver Meals on Wheels and working with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

 His family remembers him having a sense of humor, quick wit and an excellent memory. He liked sharing his card tricks and telling jokes. He loved old time western music and especially enjoyed listening to the Old Time Fiddlers.

Patrick enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and woodworking. He received the most joy from serving his family.

Survivors include his two daughters, Donna Ham and her husband, Larry, of Moscow and Patricia Kruse and her husband, Ron,  of Priest River, Idaho; and eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandchild

The family would like to thank the Friends of Hospice for all the loving care given to Patrick during his illness. They wish to express their gratitude to all his friends and neighbors for their kindness and support.

Memorials may be given to the Friends of Hospice, 700 S. Main, Moscow, ID  83843

Kramer Funeral Home of Palouse, Wash., is handling the arrangements.