Richard Lawrence 'Dick' Struntz, 77,

Richard Lawrence “Dick” Struntz, 77, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at his home in Sagle, Idaho.

A Catholic Vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with full military honors to follow.

In St. Paul, Minn., on Dec. 14, 1932 Dick was born into a family that would grow to include five boys. Dick was educated in Catholic schools in the area. His weekends were spent in the far woods hunting and fishing by boat, while his parents David and Adra would wait knowing a full catch would be coming.

In high school he was a competitive swimmer and speed skater. This was also the time in his life when he took up his passion for golf, which later led him to play in Pro-Am tournaments with his son and golf pro, Darrell.

Dick joined the United States Air Force and served with pride during the Korean War. After attending the University of New Mexico, Dick went into the food business. He was one of two people that started the sales force for Stouffer’s Food.

Dick married Dawn Harvey in Reno, Nev. It was on a vacation and “crossing of the Long Bridge” that captured their hearts to Sandpoint. He became an artist of food when they purchased The Smoke House at the end of the Long Bridge. It was also this time that his ink drawings and artwork began to capture the “Northwest Indians to the next dimension.”

Dick was active in his community including membership the Sandpoint Elks Lodge, Pend Oreille Arts Council, Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, and the men’s Elks golf league.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn; daughter, Dawn, and son, Darrrell Hull of Hayden, Idaho; son, Rick Struntz of Albuquerque, N.M.; step-children, Tamme Fair of Sacramento and Jerre Hertel of Lincoln, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and three brothers, Rodger (Shelia) Strantz, Ronald (Nancy) Strantz, and Ralph (Linda) Strantz; and special brothers Wayne and John.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Dick’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.