Walden honored by Rotarians

COEUR d'ALENE - Amidee "Ace" Walden, the world's oldest active Rotarian, was honored Friday by fellow Rotarians shortly before his 103rd birthday.

"My goal is to live to 103," Walden told Rotarians Friday. "Then I will be happy to go to sleep and never wake up."

Born May 17, 1907, Ace arrived in Coeur d'Alene by train with his family from Grass Valley, Calif., in 1911. Ace was 4 years old.

After graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School, he studied business at the University of Idaho. In 1930 Ace was hired as an apprentice bookkeeper at the American Trust Company in Coeur d'Alene. He retired from banking 42 years later as vice president of Idaho First National Bank, managing seven banks in its North Idaho district.

He earned his nickname by hitting a hole in one in 1934 at the Hayden Lake Country Club.

Ace and his wife, Ellen, have been active in many community activities. Kootenai Health's "Walden House" - a residence for outpatients (and their families) undergoing cancer treatment - was named in their honor due to the key role they played in raising funds to build the facility. Ace visited the Walden House weekly from the time it was opened until he was 99 years old.

Walden was the 45th president of the Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club and has been a member for 53 years.