Lionel Dobler

Lionel Adam Dobler, always on the move and living life in the now, was born on December 20, 1943, to Christian and Irma Dobler. The youngest of five children, Lionel lived his early years in Vananda,MT, 20 miles outside of Forsyth, MT, in Rosebud County as his father worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. When the railroad discontinued operations in the early 1950s, Lionel’s family moved to Forsyth, where he would graduate from Forsyth High School (at the age of 17), and meet his future wife, Vera. After graduation, Lionel entered the Navy, and served on a Destroyer during the peak of the Cold War, including being present at the Bay of Pigs. Shortly before his enlistment period ended at the age of 20, he married Vera Fay Buckalew. Lionel and Vera, having started work with the phone company, resided in California, where their two sons, Neil and Keith, were born. After a short time in both Burlington and Pullman, WA, the Dobler family settled down in Coeur d’Alene, ID, where they would remain for 15 years, to raise their family. Continuing his work in the phone industry, Lionel and Vera lived in Portland, OR, and Denver, CO, before retiring to Post Falls, ID, in 2004. During retirement, Lionel enjoyed travelling in their fifth wheel to the Pacific coast, flying stunt kites, helping his sons work on their homes, and watching his grandchildren participate in their chosen activities. Lionel loved to play cards, continuously worked on projects, their lake cabin, astronomy, hiking, biking, walking, both snow and water skiing, and still be a part of his family’s everyday lives. He is celebrated as a man who said what he meant and did what he said. He was a fierce protector of his family and someone always willing to help a neighbor. Lionel thrived on the love of family and friends.

Honoring and remembering Lionel are his wife Vera, of 54 years; their sons Neil (Becky) and Keith (Amy); his four granddaughters Kaitlyn, Allison, Addy, and Elly; sisters Amanda, Myrna, and Marilyn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 26, at 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Lionel’s honor to the Vasculitis Foundation or Hospice of North Idaho.