Walter Linnemeyer

Walter Linnemeyer, 91, passed away at his home on May 20, 2007. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Walter was born on August 6, 1915, in Curtis, Nebraska. He was the fifth of ten children born to Mary Elizabeth (Spitz) and Henry Linnemeyer. Most of his growing up years were spent working around his family’s farm or helping his father in his blacksmith shop. He learned to drive a team of horses before he was old enough to go to school. His favorite pastime was telling stories of growing up on the farm. His memory for details and his sense of humor could keep his audience entertained for hours. He brought so much living history to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about growing up before the modern conveniences they have today. On May 19, 1938, with a permission note from her parents, Walter married LaVeeda Waits in McCook Nebraska. The couple had three daughters, Wauneta, Nona Kaye and Delores. Walter continued to farm until 1950 when the family moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where Walt worked as a mechanic for John Deere Tractor. In 1955, Walter and LaVeeda moved their family to Bonners Ferry Idaho to join his brothers John, Carl (Slim) and Elmer Linnemeyer. Walter worked for Sims Implement Company, the US Forest Service and the Boundary County Highway Department. In 1956, he went to work for Bonners Ferry Lumber Company as a boiler man. He worked there for thirteen years. In 1969 Walter and LaVeeda moved to Loveland, Colorado. They returned to Bonners Ferry in 1972 and Walt went to work for Dockins Implement Company. He worked on farms during harvest and also did mechanic work on farm equipment whenever he was asked. Later, he became the maintenance man for the Senior Citizen Apartments in Bonners Ferry. In 1989 Walter and LaVeeda moved back to North Platte, Nebraska. However, they soon became lonesome for their grandkids and moved back to Post Falls, Idaho to be closer to them. In 1992, they returned to Bonners Ferry and Walter went back to the work he really enjoyed, as maintenance man for the Senior Center. He loved the people and they loved him, as he was able to fix anything that needed fixed, and was always available. Due to his failing eyesight, he retired in 2000. Macular Degeneration took away his eyesight, but fate gave him his cherished companion, Sparky, a half Maltese, half Yorkie bundle of energy and love. Walter will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years and his daughters: Wauneta (Dick) Dawson, Nona Kaye (Bill) Clark and Delores (Rick) Riekena all of Bonners Ferry. Grandchildren: Jamie (Pam) Barton, Wally (Tammie) Barton of Bonners Ferry, Kristie Barton of Walnut Creek California, Shelly (Larry) Steckman of Vancouver Washington and Ken (Nely) Barton of Spokane, Washington. Great-grandchildren: Jessica (Josh) Sole; Bradley (Beth Ann) Barton, Samantha, Josh and Johnny Barton. Tyler Barton, Jacob, Danielle and Amelia Krejci, Natalie and Kenny Barton. Also, Great-Great-Grandsons: Sawyer Sole and Gabriel Barton; Many nieces, nephews and friends ---and Sparky. Walter was preceded in death by an infant son in 1959, and all of his brothers and sisters.