Wesley Jay Ehrmantraut, 61
Wesley Jay Ehrmantraut, 61, passed away at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010.
Wesley was born in Golden Valley County, of Beach, N.D., on July 9, 1949, to Leo and Harriet Ehrmantraut. He has four brothers: Harlin, Roger, James whom passed away July 18, 2005, and Terry. As a baby in 1950 he moved from North Dakota to Billings, Mont. He started his schooling for the first two years, then in the summer of 1956, moved to Coeur d'Alene. He resumed his schooling at Bryan Elementary School for second through fourth grade. He completed grade school at Winton Elementary School. After his junior year of high school he dropped out, he later received his GED in 1996.
As a boy growing up in Coeur d'Alene he liked playing baseball, softball, bowling, swimming, riding bicycles, hiking, camping out and fishing. Being with family and friends.
After quitting school in 1976, he went looking for work and found a job in a café, The Pancake House, as a dishwasher and shampooing the carpets. After working 14 days straight he asked for a day off. He was told, "No," so he quit. When he could not find work anywhere else, he joined the U.S. Military in January 1968.
Jan. 15, 1968, he entered the U.S. Army and left for training at Fort Lewis, Wash. After Basic Training he went to Fort Ord, Calif., for advanced schooling as a mechanic. After the training, he received a 14-day leave. They then shipped him off to Vietnam for 12 months. He then received a 30-day leave at home. He was in Germany for 18 months and 23 days from there he went to Ft. Dix, N.J., where he received a Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant on Jan. 14, 1971.
November 1971 he went to work at Bunker Hill in the roaster department, working until April 1972 when he quit, to find work closer to home.
Wesley married Vickey Ford on April 29, 1972. They had two daughters: Niccole Rae, born June 11, 1974, and Randi Jean, born Aug. 20, 1977. They both have two children and a stepbrother, Jeremy born Jan. 28, 1975, who has five children. All together he has nine grandchildren, eight girls and one boy.
He also worked at Idaho Veneer for four years. Later he went to work for Post Falls Highway Department, until June 1977 when he became paralyzed and was for the last 33 years of his life.
For Those Who I Love
For Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, Release me, Let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you love. You can only guess
How much you gave me happiness.
I thank you for the love each have shown.
But now its time I traveled on alone!
So grieve a while for me, if you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
Its only for awhile that we must part
So bless the memories that lie within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me. I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All of my Love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone.
I'll greet you with a smile and "We'll come Home."
Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, is in charge of the arrangements.
Please sign Wesley's guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.