Edwin Duane Pleger 'Ed,' 86
Edwin Duane Pleger "Ed," 86, a lifelong resident of Hayden Lake, passed away at Life Care Center in Coeur d'Alene, on Oct. 27, 2010.
Ed was born in Seattle, Wash., on Jan. 13, 1924, to Walter and Bertha (Holstein) Pleger. He grew up working on the family ranch on Hayden Creek. While attending high school in Rathdrum, Edwin was called to serve in the U.S. Army. He transported German P.O.W.'s on the East Coast, and then worked as a Field Hospital Driver (ambulance driver) in Hawaii. He was discharged toward the end of WWII and returned to North Idaho.
After serving in the Army, Ed worked briefly for the Forest Service, and also as a guard at Farragut. Eventually, he settled into a career at Kaiser Aluminum where he worked as a Mill Inspector for 32 years.
He was a Scoutmaster for many years, and drove the "Good News Bus" for Child Evangelism Fellowship. He was a member of Hayden Bible Church.
Ed married Mae Abbie in 1968 in Coeur d'Alene. He adopted Mae's children Floyd, Marie and Earl, and the two had a child together, Bertha.
He is survived by his wife, Mae Pleger of Hayden; two sons: Floyd Pleger (Amelia) of Hayden and Earl Pleger (Leslie) of Coeur d'Alene; two daughters: Marie Stillman (Dan) of Coeur d'Alene and Bertha Moll (Scott) of San Mateo, Calif.; two stepsons: Butch Singer and Ray Singer; sister Leona Hoppe of Glasgow, Mont.; 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Bertha Pleger, and his brother, Mike Pleger.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene for their compassion over the past two and a half years.
Memorials may be made in Ed's name to Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.
Ed was laid to rest Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at Rim Rock Cemetery in Garwood.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Following the service, a reception will be held at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden.
Services have been entrusted to English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene. Please visit Ed's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.