Reuben Wayne Akre, 91
Reuben Wayne Akre, 91, was called home by the Lord on May 20, 2018, at Luther Park Assisted Living in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Reuben was born on October 10, 1926, on a family farm in Echo, Minn., to his parents George Olos and Anna (Rekedal) Akre. He worked on the family and other local farms in his early years developing his strong work ethic of “sun up to sun down” to get the job done.
His first trip to Idaho came upon joining the Navy in 1944, completed his training at Farragut Naval Training Station, better known today as Farragut State Park, Idaho.
He married Eila L Kirsch-baum on April 6, 1947. In the winter of 1957, he moved the family to North Idaho to start his logging business “Akre Logging” and in his later years a real estate investor creating Akre Estates in Blanchard, Idaho. As time went on he would split his time between his home in Idaho and Yuma, Ariz.
Reuben had many awards hanging proudly at his home for all his logging events and car shows he participated in. In 2003 he was named “Bull of the Woods” for the Priest River Timber Days. Through years he would proudly cruise in parades with his Lincoln Continental convertible with his grandchildren along enjoying this proud moment. All who have known him will agree he was a hard working family man who had a strong belief in God. No event or obstacle was too great for him to accomplish his goal. He always had a smile, hug or candy in his pocket for the grandkids.
Surviving Reuben are five children, Ronald Wayne, Duane Michael, Peggylee (Smith), Cyndi Kay (Grady) and Dean Reuben; spouses to his children, Sue (Ockert), Van Smith, Mike Grady and Sandy (Hutchins); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Rosalie Klingsheim of Iowa, and Betty Olson of Minnesota; and a brother, George of Massachusetts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Anna Akre; his wife, Eila of 63 years; a brother, James Akre; and a sister, Ione Akre.
Interment will be on May 24 at 10 a.m. at Newport Cemetery with a service to follow at 11 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Newport; come join us celebrating his many years of life.
Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.