Wallace Lee Krahn, 71, born in Gooding, Idaho on June 20, 1940 to Ben & Gwendolyn Krahn passed November 7, 2011 of heart and health complications. Wallace (Wally) grew up in Fairfield, ID on a farm and helped his Dad raise milk cows.
He later went on to find his sweetheart Nila Stoddard and married her on May 25, 1961. They had three children Josie, Kevin, and Sheila. He obtained a college degree at Idaho State University in Accounting and then moved his family up to Coeur d' Alene in 1969. He worked for Boise Cascade, then became a Realtor and later opened a cabinet shop. He was an excellent, self taught carpenter and could fix just about anything. He was a good, loving husband and beloved Father.
He loved to laugh and make those around him laugh. He was always playing jokes and trying to get a reaction out of people. He and his wife took in foster children as well raising their own 3 children.
He lost his only son at the age of 17 to a car accident. After that, he always took other boys under his wing to help them along. He was a big huggable bear who was very kind and good to others.
He struggled in his later life with his heart complications. He had 3 difficult surgeries in 2010 by a wonderful surgeon , Dr. Burnett, and was also cared for by Dr. Pataky for many years. Their care bought him an extra year and a half. During that time he celebrated being married to his wife for 50 years, took a trip to Hawaii, and also visited most of his family members in Idaho and California. Even though he was in very poor health at the end, he always had a joke, smile or a hug for everyone.
The family would like to thank the Good Samaritan, whomever you are, the day his heart stopped who stepped in to assist him.
Survivors include: wife Nila, daughter Josie Krahn, daughter Sheila (Fred) Sharp, grandchildren, Sydney, Hayden & Shelby Sharp, his mother Gwendolyn Krahn, brother David (Pam) Krahn, sister Ellen (George) Galvan. He had many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin Lee Krahn, his father Ben Krahn, and his brother Kent Krahn.
A viewing will be held Friday November 11, 2011, from 4-7pm at Bell Tower Funeral Home located in Post Falls, Idaho at 3398 E. Jenalan Ave. An additional viewing will be held preceding the funeral at the Church. Services will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 2293 W. Hanley on Saturday November12, 2011, at 1pm, with internment immediately following at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens located at 7315 Government Way.
Bell Tower Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Please visit Wally's memorial site online at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.