James H. Loe passed away peacefully Dec. 19, 2014, at 3:05 a.m. at North Idaho Hospice House after a short bout of cancer.

He was the eighth child of 13 born to George and Iva Loe. All were born at home, but Jim was the first born in Plummer, Idaho, on April 9, 1928. Jim's grandparents homesteaded in the Fighting Creek area where his dad, George, met his mother, Iva Beaudreau, at the Fighting Creek Trading Post where she was employed.

Jim completed the eighth grade in Plummer, then went to work to help support the family. He worked at Nestler's Studebaker Garage in Plummer. After the garage closed he went to work for his brother-in-law, Herb Richel, as a farmhand until he was 17, when he went to work for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company.

Jim had a 33 year career with the "Milwaukee Road" until the railroad closed in 1980. He worked as a carpenter for a few years after the railroad closed, then went to work as janitor at Plummer High School (which became Lakeside High School once the school district consolidated with Worley School District). After retiring from the school, Jim went to work at Ace Hardware in Plummer in 1995, retiring at the age of 82.

Jim married Maxine Dawdy on June 5, 1947, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d'Alene. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2007, and Maxine passed away two weeks before their 61st anniversary the next summer. They had five children: James, Jr. who was born on Jim's 20th birthday, Robert, Jerry, Frieda and Jeannie. Jim was very proud of his long marriage, stating, "If my wife had lived two more weeks we would have been married 61 years."

He was preceded in death by brothers Ralph, Albert and Gene; and sisters Lila, Mildred, Georgia and MaryBelle. Jim is survived by his five children: James Jr. of Jamestown, N.D., Robert (Cindy) of St. Maries, Idaho, Jerry of Minot, N.D., Frieda (Eric) Johnson of Coeur d'Alene, and Jeannie (Jim) Allen of Plummer; 16 grandchildren, and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Eldon Loe (Carrol); sisters Nadine Mann, Minnie (Barney) Quinn, LaVonne Buster and Lucille (Jim) Jones.

Jim was an avid hunter, enjoyed motorcycle riding and playing pinochle. He was talented in woodworking and was always ready to lend a helping hand, mowing lawns or shoveling snow - whatever his neighbors and friends needed help with. He also enjoyed socializing at the Gateway Cafe and Benewah Market Deli in Plummer.

In recent years he was blessed with many good friends including Ed (Adrienne) Whitson, Bob (Bennie) Lowry and Garnet Riebold. He also was blessed to be watched over by Misti Kolar and her crew at the Gateway Cafe.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Christian Life Fellowship Church in Plummer, with burial services to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Plummer.

Donations may be made in memory of Jim to Hospice of North Idaho where Jim was cared for lovingly - first by Carmen who was his nurse who cared for him weekly at home, and then at the Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene until his death.

Please visit Jim's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

Name: James H Loe
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Plummer, Plummer Election Precinct, Benewah, Idaho, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 11
Marital Status: Single
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Idaho
Birth Year (Estimated): 1929
Last Place of Residence: Same House

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
George S Loe Head M 53 Missouri
Iva G Loe Wife F 43 South Dakota
Albert L Loe Son M 19 Idaho
Eugene N Loe Son M 15 Idaho
Marybelle Loe Daughter F 13 Idaho
James H Loe Son M 11 Idaho
Nadine Loe Daughter F 9 Idaho
Erminnie Loe Daughter F 7 Idaho
Eldon Loe Daughter F 6 Idaho
Lavonne Loe Daughter F 3 Idaho