Stephen Paul Klontz, 83
Stephen Paul Klontz was born July 15, 1939, in Chicago, Ill., to Winston and Dorothy (Schaeffer) Klontz and passed away Dec. 31, 2022, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Steve attended Lane Tech High School and at age 18 enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Fort Bragg, N.C., and became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, did cold-weather training in Alaska and was later sent to Okinawa. There he met his first wife, Toyoko. They settled in Southern California. In 1980, Steve moved to Cocolalla and has since resided in Bonner County.
He worked various jobs including Air Products, Inc., Alpine Motors and Air Photo, Inc. Laurie went in 1982 to buy a car and Steve was the salesman. They married in 1984. Obviously, quite the salesman!
In 1989, they moved to Geenen Road in Cocolalla to “the big house” Steve had designed. After 30 years, they moved into Sandpoint.
Steve was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, always had a story to tell and his best line was: “And to make a long story short” — and they were never short! He enjoyed fishing and boating, traveling to all 50 states, but never got to Maine. He liked to barbecue, cook and made the best Shirley Temples of all time!
He is survived by his wife, Laurie, of 38 years, his four children from his first marriage, Danny of Tokyo, Japan; John of Post Falls, Idaho; Naomi (Dwayne) of Irvine, Calif., and Rick (Cathy) of Sandpoint; his stepdaughter, Heidi (Jamie) of Battle Ground, Wash.; and “daughter of the heart” Marie (Tony) of Spokane Valley, Wash.; and 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one more on the way.
He’s also survived by his mother-in-law, Lorraine Otto of Wenatchee, Wash.; Laurie’s siblings, her cousins, his cousins and many friends, including Chuck and Dianna Hartshorn, John Joseph, Kenny Miranaka and Rick and Carolynn Peterson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Roderick Lee and Jeffrey; sister Marilyn; and father-in-law Sam. Services will be held April 29 at 11 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Services, Sandpoint.
Family and friends are invited to sign Stephen’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.