Frederick Funke

Frederick Edward Funke of Deary died Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane at the age of 83. Fred was born to Frederick and Christina (Tacke) Funke on December 21, 1932 in Cottonwood, ID where he later graduated high school. He married Patricia Schmidt on January 3, 1953 in Greencreek and they remained lovingly married for the next 63 years until his passing. Fred joined the army where he served from 1953 to 1955 and served the US Army Headquarters Battery 15th Artillery in Kumwa Valley Korea as a supply truck driver and cooks' assistant. He was honorably discharged and moved to Lewiston where he worked for the Lloyd Seed Ranch and took courses at LCSC for diesel mechanics and welding then later worked for Zirbel Transport for 12 years. While living in Lewiston, Fred and Pat had six children; five sons and a daughter. In 1970 Fred and Pat moved their family to Deary, ID where they leased the Park Ranch for 13 years, farming and raising cattle. Fred later worked for the North Latah County Highway District until his retirement. Fred and Pat always enjoyed the mountains. They spent many weeks on horseback trips riding, fishing, camping and enjoying time with their family and friends. Fred's goal was to fish 100 different lakes in Idaho, camping and riding horseback. They also enjoyed traveling in their motor home, taking trips across the lower 48, Canada and Alaska and spent 8 winters in Parker, AZ. Fred's hobby was restoring old John Deere tractors (better known as "Johnnie Poppers" to his family), old wagons and buggies as well as a Rumley Thresher. He also enjoyed golfing and hunting but especially spending time with his family out at he and Pat's home in Deary. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moscow. Fred is survived by his wife Pat; sons Larry and wife Debbie Funke of Deary, ID, Steve and wife Kellie Funke of Bovill, Jeff Funke of Everett, WA, Brian and wife Wendy Funke of Moscow and daughter Carleen and husband Toby Baldwin of Lewiston. He is also survived by his 18 grandchildren (Michael, Jennifer, Kyle, Kristy, Daniel, Tyrel, Misty, Matthew, Justin, Cassie, Jacob, Kaci Patricia, Lacy, Christina, Taylor, Lance, Reece Michael Frederick and Lane Patrick) and 15 great grandchildren (Colten, Graci, Cole, Carter, Cooper, Alma, Hunter, Audrey, Hadrian, Kolby, Frederick the 3rd ("little Freddie"), Kimberlen, Theo and twins Sophie and Stevie). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Cleo Funke of Couer'd Alene, sister Evelyn Funke of Willows, CA, sister Gertrude Schmidt of Asotin, brother Bernard Funke of Clarkston and sister Bernice Aman of Stevenson, WA. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Frederick (Nov. 28, 1988) parents Frederick and Christina, brothers Gene and Ray Funke and sisters Millie Wimer and Irene Seubert. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 8th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moscow. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 9th at the Church. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow at Pincrest Cemetery at Deary. There will be a luncheon afterward at the Deary Community Center. The family suggests memorials in Fred's name be made to the Deary Ambulance Fund.