Longtime Bonner County resident, Fred R. Brooks, passed away at his home in Laclede, Idaho, on Oct. 20, 2016, at the age of 87.
Fred was born in Rawlins, Wyo., to William and Camilla Brooks on Jan. 13, 1929, the same year of the Great Depression. He lived life as a “True Cowboy” on the Elk Mountain Prairie. Riding his horse to school, herding cattle and horses, and of course doing his chores. Fred had many stories telling about his childhood.
Fred moved to Montana in 1949 to drill water wells for his two brother-in-laws. In March 1951, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After boot camp he was chosen to attend CBR school in Japan and was taught to operate the spotlight on the front line. Fred was assigned to the 61st Engineer Search Light Division and served as the spotlight operator for one year. He was honorably discharged in December 1952.
In 1953 Fred met and married Florence Gurney in Sand-point, Idaho. For the next 22 years, they raised their family in the Sand-point area. Fred and Florence divorced in 1975. In 1976, Fred married Carol Palmer of Priest River and they made their home in Laclede, Idaho.
Over the 63 years, Fred lived in this area, working primarily as a logger and sawyer in the local mills. He was the first person to retire of Riley Creek Lumber Company in 1991. Fred was a member of Eagles Lodge for many years. In 1963, when Schweitzer Ski Resort opened, he and his family were some of the first to enjoy skiing on the mountain. Fred was also one of the first members of the Bonner County Search and Rescue with his English Bloodhounds. They were successful on many occasions, locating both lost hunters and fishermen. He participated in Lake Pend Oreille’s K&K Week for years. Fred enjoyed all kinds of fishing, hunting, skiing, camping, bowling, picnicking, pitching horseshoes, playing cards, dancing and being an all-around cowboy. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He will be missed for his laughter, reminiscing, wisdom, conversation and jokes.
Fred is survived by three daughters and one son, Laura (Bruce) Lines of Bellevue, Wash., Cathy (Dick) Paine of Dundee, Ore., Christi Strenke of Laclede and Michael Brooks Sr. of Laclede; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents, William and Camilla Brooks; his sisters, Edna Boles and Margaret Coffey; a brother, David Brooks Sr.; and a son-in-law, Gary Strenke.
A memorial service will be held at the Laclede Community Center on November 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm in celebration if his wonderful life. All are welcome to attend who knew and loved Fred.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.
Fred was born in Rawlins, Wyo., to William and Camilla Brooks on Jan. 13, 1929, the same year of the Great Depression. He lived life as a “True Cowboy” on the Elk Mountain Prairie. Riding his horse to school, herding cattle and horses, and of course doing his chores. Fred had many stories telling about his childhood.
Fred moved to Montana in 1949 to drill water wells for his two brother-in-laws. In March 1951, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After boot camp he was chosen to attend CBR school in Japan and was taught to operate the spotlight on the front line. Fred was assigned to the 61st Engineer Search Light Division and served as the spotlight operator for one year. He was honorably discharged in December 1952.
In 1953 Fred met and married Florence Gurney in Sand-point, Idaho. For the next 22 years, they raised their family in the Sand-point area. Fred and Florence divorced in 1975. In 1976, Fred married Carol Palmer of Priest River and they made their home in Laclede, Idaho.
Over the 63 years, Fred lived in this area, working primarily as a logger and sawyer in the local mills. He was the first person to retire of Riley Creek Lumber Company in 1991. Fred was a member of Eagles Lodge for many years. In 1963, when Schweitzer Ski Resort opened, he and his family were some of the first to enjoy skiing on the mountain. Fred was also one of the first members of the Bonner County Search and Rescue with his English Bloodhounds. They were successful on many occasions, locating both lost hunters and fishermen. He participated in Lake Pend Oreille’s K&K Week for years. Fred enjoyed all kinds of fishing, hunting, skiing, camping, bowling, picnicking, pitching horseshoes, playing cards, dancing and being an all-around cowboy. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He will be missed for his laughter, reminiscing, wisdom, conversation and jokes.
Fred is survived by three daughters and one son, Laura (Bruce) Lines of Bellevue, Wash., Cathy (Dick) Paine of Dundee, Ore., Christi Strenke of Laclede and Michael Brooks Sr. of Laclede; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents, William and Camilla Brooks; his sisters, Edna Boles and Margaret Coffey; a brother, David Brooks Sr.; and a son-in-law, Gary Strenke.
A memorial service will be held at the Laclede Community Center on November 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm in celebration if his wonderful life. All are welcome to attend who knew and loved Fred.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.
Longtime Bonner County resident, Fred R. Brooks, passed away at his home in Laclede, Idaho, on Oct. 20, 2016, at the age of 87.
Fred was born in Rawlins, Wyo., to William and Camilla Brooks on Jan. 13, 1929, the same year of the Great Depression. He lived life as a “True Cowboy” on the Elk Mountain Prairie. Riding his horse to school, herding cattle and horses, and of course doing his chores. Fred had many stories telling about his childhood.
Fred moved to Montana in 1949 to drill water wells for his two brother-in-laws. In March 1951, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After boot camp he was chosen to attend CBR school in Japan and was taught to operate the spotlight on the front line. Fred was assigned to the 61st Engineer Search Light Division and served as the spotlight operator for one year. He was honorably discharged in December 1952.
In 1953 Fred met and married Florence Gurney in Sand-point, Idaho. For the next 22 years, they raised their family in the Sand-point area. Fred and Florence divorced in 1975. In 1976, Fred married Carol Palmer of Priest River and they made their home in Laclede, Idaho.
Over the 63 years, Fred lived in this area, working primarily as a logger and sawyer in the local mills. He was the first person to retire of Riley Creek Lumber Company in 1991. Fred was a member of Eagles Lodge for many years. In 1963, when Schweitzer Ski Resort opened, he and his family were some of the first to enjoy skiing on the mountain. Fred was also one of the first members of the Bonner County Search and Rescue with his English Bloodhounds. They were successful on many occasions, locating both lost hunters and fishermen. He participated in Lake Pend Oreille’s K&K Week for years. Fred enjoyed all kinds of fishing, hunting, skiing, camping, bowling, picnicking, pitching horseshoes, playing cards, dancing and being an all-around cowboy. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He will be missed for his laughter, reminiscing, wisdom, conversation and jokes.
Fred is survived by three daughters and one son, Laura (Bruce) Lines of Bellevue, Wash., Cathy (Dick) Paine of Dundee, Ore., Christi Strenke of Laclede and Michael Brooks Sr. of Laclede; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents, William and Camilla Brooks; his sisters, Edna Boles and Margaret Coffey; a brother, David Brooks Sr.; and a son-in-law, Gary Strenke.
A memorial service will be held at the Laclede Community Center on November 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm in celebration if his wonderful life. All are welcome to attend who knew and loved Fred.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.
Fred was born in Rawlins, Wyo., to William and Camilla Brooks on Jan. 13, 1929, the same year of the Great Depression. He lived life as a “True Cowboy” on the Elk Mountain Prairie. Riding his horse to school, herding cattle and horses, and of course doing his chores. Fred had many stories telling about his childhood.
Fred moved to Montana in 1949 to drill water wells for his two brother-in-laws. In March 1951, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After boot camp he was chosen to attend CBR school in Japan and was taught to operate the spotlight on the front line. Fred was assigned to the 61st Engineer Search Light Division and served as the spotlight operator for one year. He was honorably discharged in December 1952.
In 1953 Fred met and married Florence Gurney in Sand-point, Idaho. For the next 22 years, they raised their family in the Sand-point area. Fred and Florence divorced in 1975. In 1976, Fred married Carol Palmer of Priest River and they made their home in Laclede, Idaho.
Over the 63 years, Fred lived in this area, working primarily as a logger and sawyer in the local mills. He was the first person to retire of Riley Creek Lumber Company in 1991. Fred was a member of Eagles Lodge for many years. In 1963, when Schweitzer Ski Resort opened, he and his family were some of the first to enjoy skiing on the mountain. Fred was also one of the first members of the Bonner County Search and Rescue with his English Bloodhounds. They were successful on many occasions, locating both lost hunters and fishermen. He participated in Lake Pend Oreille’s K&K Week for years. Fred enjoyed all kinds of fishing, hunting, skiing, camping, bowling, picnicking, pitching horseshoes, playing cards, dancing and being an all-around cowboy. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He will be missed for his laughter, reminiscing, wisdom, conversation and jokes.
Fred is survived by three daughters and one son, Laura (Bruce) Lines of Bellevue, Wash., Cathy (Dick) Paine of Dundee, Ore., Christi Strenke of Laclede and Michael Brooks Sr. of Laclede; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents, William and Camilla Brooks; his sisters, Edna Boles and Margaret Coffey; a brother, David Brooks Sr.; and a son-in-law, Gary Strenke.
A memorial service will be held at the Laclede Community Center on November 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm in celebration if his wonderful life. All are welcome to attend who knew and loved Fred.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.
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