Henry C. Hammrich, 83

Henry C. Hammrich, 83, passed away at home with his family by his side, on Nov. 30, 2010. Henry was born the sixth child Oct. 12, 1927, to Carl and Katie (Sigette) Hammrich on a farm in Ipswich, S.D. Henry was drafted into the Army during WWII where he was trained as a paratrooper. After the war he went back to farming in Ipswich, where he married childhood sweetheart Opal Miller on Oct. 12, 1950. He moved west to find a better life for his family. He found that in Coeur d'Alene at the Rutledge sawmill, where he worked for 31years until his retirement in 1982.

Henry could always be found for 47 years in his bib overalls as caretaker for the St. Thomas Cemetery. He enjoyed bowling, getting his hands dirty, and always coming home to his wife and kids.

Henry was preceded in death by his first born "lil" Henry. He is survived by his wife, Opal, and family: Kathy and Mike Rumelhart of Pasco, Wash., Jeff and Denise Hammrich of Asotin, Wash., and Julie and Michael Smith of Rathdrum; grandchildren: Dawn and Husband Pat O'Kelly, David Rumelhart, Cami and husband Dustin Browne, Nichole and husband Gavin Triplett, Jacob and wife Kellee Smith, Hanna and husband John Wilcox, Cameron and wife Hannah Smith, Sara and husband Casey Denton; 10 great-grandchildren: Caylie, Cady and Carly Browne, Logan and Avery Triplett, Payton, Paige and Taylor Wilcox, Aubrey Smith, and Brody Smith.

A funeral mass will be Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 Indiana Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, with burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. English Funeral Chapel is in charge of services.

Please sign Henry's guest registry and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.