Earl Turcotte

Earl Raymond Turcotte, 85, passed away on Nov. 8, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Earl was born on June 13, 1932, to Raymond and Opal Turcotte, in Spokane, Wash. When he was 2 years old his family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he lived the remainder of his life. He attended school through the eighth grade in Coeur d’Alene, and then, at age 14, he went to work at McEwen Grocery store on Sherman Avenue. At age 17 he became employed by Potlatch before being called into the National Guard and was shipped out to the Korean Conflict at age 18. Upon returning home he continued to work for Potlatch for the next 44 years. After his retirement from Potlatch, he was employed by the Idaho Board of Scaling Practice for 10 years.

He married Wanda Edna Broesch in the fall of 1953 in Superior, Mont. They resided in Coeur d’Alene, raising their two children, and were married for 39 years until her death in December of 1992. Several years later, he met and enjoyed the companionship of a special friend, Zelma (Zip) Viau for many years.

When he wasn’t working, his love of Idaho and the great outdoors was evident in his enjoyment of water skiing, fishing, camping, hunting and making huge bonfires while drinking a few beers with family and friends around him.

He is survived by three sisters, Verna Jean Homer and Shirley Harper, both of Post Falls, Idaho, and Bonita Potratz, of Orofino, Idaho; two children, Terry Kovatch, of Sagle, Idaho and Elton Turcotte, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and various grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene, with burial afterwards at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, followed by a reception at the Hayden Eagles, 1520 W. Wyoming Ave. in Hayden.

Earl’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hospice of North Idaho (Schneidmiller Hospice House), 2290 W. Prairie Ave. and Bristol Heights, 2220 W. Prairie Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for the excellent care he received while there, and suggest that memorials may be given to them in Earl’s memory.