Daren Eric Sauter

Daren E. Sauter 46, Post Falls, passed away at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA due to complications from surgery. He was born March 16th, 1975, in Coeur d’Alene, ID to Jackson Sauter and Billie Jo Hazel. Daren grew up in Spirit Lake and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1993. He attended North Idaho College and joined the Marine Corps Reserves. While serving he received the National Defense Service Medal and Rifle Marksmanship Expert Badge; and was honorably discharged as Sergeant of the Battery A, 1st Battalion, 14th Marines on May 30, 2003. He made many life-long friends along the way. In 2011, Daren met the love of his life, Yuen. He shared with her his love of beautiful North Idaho by taking her fishing, hunting, camping, and huckleberry picking. On June 19, 2018, he and Yuen were married, and it was the happiest day of their lives. The wedding was a little rushed, as Daren couldn’t wait to officially adopt Yuen’s son, Logan. The adoption was finalized soon after and their family was complete. Daren worked for BNSF Railroad for the last 16 years. Due to his commitment to his family, Daren worked graveyard shifts at Hauser and Spokane. Daren picked Logan up from school every day. He was the homework police and always there for Logan. As a lifetime resident of North Idaho, Daren finally settled in Post Falls, though he and Yuen were planning on building their dream home with a little more elbow room. Daren loved anything outdoors. He began hunting at an early age with his Grandpa Bill and Uncle Whitey.  They taught him everything he knew about hunting.  Daren always believed in scouting early.  He would spend weeks hiking in the woods before opening day, so he always knew where the elk were and which direction they were moving.  As a teenager, Daren fell in love with bass fishing.  He knew every log and every hole in the Millpond at Spirit Lake. Daren loved teaching others how to catch the big ones!  He is the reason for several fishing addictions in the area.  In recent years, Daren began participating in bass tournaments where he became very competitive, taking top honors several times.  Daren is survived by his wife Yuen Sauter and son Logan Sauter, mother-in law M. Yuet Lam; and his best 4-legged friend Stryker at the family home. He is also survived by his mother Billie Jo Sauter of Spirit Lake; sister Dawn Eaton of Spirit Lake; his favorite -and only- niece Courtney Eaton of Post Falls; as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by many good friends. Daren was preceded in death by his father, Jack Sauter; grandparents Clarence “Shorty” Sauter and Phyllis Sauter; hunting partner, Grandpa Bill Hazel and Grandma Gladys Hazel; and father-in-law Kam Chan. An online memorial is available on Bell Tower Funeral Home website: https://belltowerfuneralhome.com/. Private graveside service will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Spirit Lake, ID.  A Celebration of Daren’s life will be held at a later date which everyone is welcome to attend, please watch Yuen’s Facebook for information.