Jesse Donald Vanhorn, 86

Jesse Donald Vanhorn, 86, passed away in Kootenai, Idaho, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, from complications of a massive stroke. 

Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010, in the Pack River Cemetery.

Jesse was born Sept. 9, 1923, in McCool Junction, Neb., to Lee William and Bowverdia Vanhorn. He started working on the farm at the age of 13. He then went on to work for the railroad and laid line for the telephone company before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 19. He served in World War II in Nome, Alaska, as a corporal for the 1469 Farren Group. After leaving the military he, and his family, moved to Kettle Falls, Wash., to become loggers.

Jesse married Bertha Johnsen on July 31, 1946, in Wilson Creek, Wash. They were married for 60 years before Bertha passed away in November 2006. They raised three sons and a daughter together.

At the age of 23, he started working in the planer mill in Colville, Wash. He then moved to Kootenai, where he continued his career in the planer mill as a millwright, planer set up man, and certified grader. He was considered one of the top lumber graders in the Pacific Northwest by the grading association. He retired in 1986 from the planer mill and went to work for Murphy Saw Shop in Sandpoint, Idaho. He later opened his own small engine repair shop, where he worked until the day of his stroke.

Jesse loved music, playing musical instruments, and dancing. He and his wife won several jitterbug contests. Jesse especially enjoyed taking cross country trips on his motorcycle with his son Gene. He also earned his pilot’s license at the age of 50.

What he valued more than anything was his family. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his three sons, Gene (Arlene) Vanhorn of Spokane, Wash., Gary (Linda) Vanhorn of Kootenai, and Dale (Kim) Vanhorn of Kootenai; his daughter, Alice DeVries in Snoqualmie, Wash.; 15 grandchildren, Darren (Belinda) Vanhorn of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Donnie (Kim) Huggins of Rathdrum, Idaho, Randy Schell of Spokane, Clayton Schell and Steve Schell of Portland, Ore., J.P. (Marnie) Schell of Boise, Jeremy (Danille) Vanhorn-Brown of Hope, Idaho, Jason (Debin) Vanhorn-Brown of Wiggins, Miss., Lee Vanhorn of Spokane, Aimee (Zach) Libby of Snoqualmie, Wash., Thys DeVries of Santa Ana, Calif., Ben Vanhorn of Newport Beach, Calif., Abby (Ryan) Leisy of Sandpoint, Alicia (Bill) Mueller of Kootenai, and Tina Van Den Berge of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; and 15 great-grandchildren, Felicia and Dylan Schell, Andy and Emma Schell, Amanda and Devin Huggins, Issac Vanhorn-Brown, Dakota and Sidney Vanhorn-Brown, Kendal and Kenzie Libby, Owen and Wil Leisy, Alexus and Olivia Mueller, and one more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha; his parents, four brothers, and one nephew.

Family and friends are invited to sign Jesse’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Final arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.