Lester 'Marty' Stitsel Jr., 79

Lester Martin “Marty” Stitsel Jr., 79, passed of complications from cancer Sunday, May 11, 2025, at home, surrounded by his wife, Krista Eberle; and three children, Marc, Carrie, and Lydia. He loved his children and grandchildren fiercely. They are what kept him going through the difficult times.

Marty was born in Moscow, Idaho, on Oct. 8, 1945, to Lester and Helen Stitsel, and spent his formative years living and spending summers in Darrington, Wash., with his grandparents, Uncle Bum, and brother Bill. Even after living with his mother during the school years, he always considered Darrington his true home.

He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served his country for four years. His deployment to Germany for two of those years changed the trajectory of his life. His son, Marc, was born there and his perspective on the world broadened dramatically. This led to a lifelong passion for all things German.

Marty was a professional Bellevue firefighter for 28 years before retiring in 1998. His passion for outdoor activities led him to become one of the founders of the Pacific Northwest Police and Fire Olympics. His love of track and field was demonstrated by his individual participation in track events, attending world championships and supporting local high school teams. He passed his love of skiing and all the necessary ski passes and equipment on to his children and grandchildren. He was the family photographer, recording life events and scenes of nature prolifically, filling every possible wall space with his photographs. 

Marty married the love of his life, Krista, in 1981. They spent 44 years together traveling (and living a year in) Europe, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, skiing, and camping together. Their move to Sandpoint in 2001 started the best chapter of their lives together. He eagerly began to spend hours with his fellow malcontents at the infamous “round table” at Tango, now Marigold Bistro. Here he could brag about his exploits and complain about whatever he thought was wrong in the world; I am sure he misses them.

Marty climbed Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt. Adams (skiing back down), Mt. Stuart, Mt. Olympus in Greece, and the Matterhorn in Switzerland among other lesser-known peaks. He participated in numerous marathons, multi-sport relays, triathlons, and track events. He was a national champion in the Masters Steeplechase. He was a member of Team Laughing Dog and completed the Race Across America (aka RAAM) bicycling event. 

Marty was considered an “Alfaholic” and loved everything about classic Alfa Romeos and Italian cars in general. He was often seen driving his 1966 FIAT 500 around town or in the Lost in the '50s parade. However, his long-time pet car project has been his 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV Coupe.

Marty was a “maker” and a talker. He was not content unless he was outside working on his cars or completing projects around the property with his bulldozer and tractors. Unless, he had a chance to talk to people. If Marty entered a room where he initially knew no one, he usually left with at least one new friend.

Marty is survived by his wife of 43 years, Krista Eberle; children, Marc (Dung) Stitsel, Carrie (Rob) Smith, and Lydia (Brennen) Chasse; grandchildren Maxwell, Sydney, and Tucker Lee, Khanh, Linh, and Luke Stitsel, and Cornelia Chasse; brother Bill (Sandra) Stitsel; his first wife and mother of his oldest two children, Rita Yates; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by grandparents; mother Helene Bryson Baker; his father, Lester Stitsel Sr.; his sister, Tracy Ott; and his father figure, Uncle “Bum” Bryson.

Words cannot express how much he is missed by his family. Anyone who knew Marty is invited to join an informal celebration of his life, aka “Party with Marty” on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Idaho Pour Authority, Sandpoint, Idaho, from 2-5 p.m. There will also be a celebration of life at the Darrington Community Center in Darrington, Wash., on Saturday, July 12, from noon-2 p.m. Please let Krista know if you are planning to attend this one.

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