Waide Richard Hamner, 81

Waide passed away Sept. 1, 2010, at his home in Post Falls, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Elmira, N.Y., Feb. 7, 1929. He served in the United States Air Force. He married the love of his life Verna Hamner on Oct. 9, 1950, in Modesto, Calif. They lived in Oxnard and Ventura for 37 years. He and Verna moved to Idaho in 1988.

He was an Elk for 47 years; a member of the Oxnard Elk's Lodge then transferred to the Coeur d'Alene Lodge. In 1999 he was honored as State Elk of the Year. He started the Coeur d'Alene Elks "Hoop Shoot" in the mid-90s and ran it successfully for many years until his health would not permit it. He was Lodge Secretary for two years. He was also a member of the Elks Kamper Klub and a former member of Lake City Sams Camper Club. He and Verna loved to camp and had traveled all over the U.S. in their RV. Waide also loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Verna of 59 years. His daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Brent VanTassell of Salt Lake City, Utah; son Bruce Hamner of Hayden; son and daughter-in-law Rex and Gayle Hamner of Pinedale, Wyo.; grandchildren Alan Hamner, Jessica Brooks, Adam VanTassell, Natalie Gardner, Daniel VanTassell, Christopher Hamner, Rebecca Hamner, Tanya Hamner, Rachel Miller; and seven great-grandchildren.

Waide was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Sandra Hamner and grandson Ricky Hamner.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Auburn Crest Hospice; Coeur d'Alene Elks youth program; Peace Lutheran Church.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at Peace Lutheran Church, 618 East Wallace St., Coeur d'Alene. Celebration of Waide's life will be held immediately following the memorial. Please visit Waide's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.