Earl Edelblute

Earl Arthur Edelblute, 82, longtime resident of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away early Tuesday morning, Oct 17, 2017, at Hospice Coeur d’Alene after a long illness. He was born Sept. 13, 1935 at Twin Lakes, Idaho, the only son of Helene M. Roth and Arthur Edelblute, both from pioneering Kootenai County families.

After attending school in Rathdrum, Idaho, he began logging with his uncles. He logged his entire life in Idaho, Montana and Washington. He acquired his own company, Edelblute Logging, contracting mostly for IFI and Stimpson, until his retirement in 2008.

He married Florence Alice Dryer on Nov. 3, 1953 in Whitefish, Mont. They had three children, Marjean, Murel and Chester, before her sudden death on July 19, 1967. He then married Terry Mae Birdsey on Dec 21, 1968 in Whitefish and became a father to her two young sons, Melvin and Kenneth.

Earl enjoyed fishing, camping and snowmobiling. They enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, including the occasional trip to the casino. He loved hosting family gatherings, even expanding his home to accommodate them. His son Ken says, “He was a great role model.”

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Florence; son, Melvin Edelblute; and brothers George “Joe Pete” and Melvin Duane Tester. He is survived by wife, Terry, at the family home; brother, Barry (Marsha) Edelblute of California; children, Marjean (Ken) Gunderson of Belfair, Wash.; Murel, Chester (Kyla), and Ken (DiAnna) Edelblute, all of Rathdrum, Idaho; siblings, Shirley (Dan) Freligh, Edward (Denise) Joki, Sharon (Mike) Prichett, all of Coeur d’Alene, and Susan (Richard “R.J”) Johnson; 11 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donations can be made in Earl’s name to Newby-Ginnings, 570 S. Clearwater Loop #A, Post Falls, ID 83854. A Memorial will be held next summer. Interment will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Rathdrum, Idaho, at a later date.