Gary 'Pete' Ladwig, 72

Gary "Pete" Ladwig passed away Jan. 8, 2011, at Kootenai Medical Center after a 17-year courageous battle of Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia.

Gary was born Feb. 12, 1938, in Wilbur, Wash., to Elmer and Anna (Peha) Ladwig. Gary was always ambitious as a young boy delivering papers and weeding flower beds for the ladies in town. He had an interest in mechanics so would always be at the service station learning. He went to work for the Bonnie Ray service station in high school. He graduated from Wilbur High School in 1956.

In 1959 he and Donna Jean Stubbe were married. They made their home in Spokane for awhile and that is where their daughter Tammy was born in 1960. They moved back to Wilbur and Gary went back to the Bonnie Ray. In 1965 he started his career with Coca-Cola and they moved to Spokane. In 1972 he was promoted to Branch Manager and they moved to Coeur d'Alene. Gary retired in 1993 after 28 years with Coca-Cola.

After retirement, he went to work for Avondale Golf Course in the maintenance department where he was still employed at his time of death. Gary was a volunteer for the Wilbur Fire Department, Commissioner for the Hayden Lake Fire Department, Coeur d'Alene Lions for 25 years, member of the Coeur d'Alene Elks and Elks Hamper Klub, member of the Allegro Motor Home Club for 18 years and Director of Avondale Irrigation.

Pete is survived by his wife at home, Donna Jean of 51 years; his daughter, Tammy (Tim) Rupinski of Coeur d'Alene; three grandchildren, Aimee (Mathu) Thomason of Rathdrum, Gary Foulk of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Justin Rupinski of Charlotte, N.C., and great-granddaughter Kindle Thomason. When she visited Papa always sang "Hey good lookin what you got cookin." He is also survived by his mother, Anna Houston of Davenport, Wash.; sister Sharon (Marvin) Groh of Almira, Wash.; brother Rod (Deanna) Ladwig of Otis Orchards, Wash.; sister Mikki Lupfer of Republic, Wash.; brother Ken (Melba) Ladwig of Centralia, Ill.; sister-in-law Donna Ladwig of Wilbur; sister-in-law Linda (Ernie) Sanchez and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Ladwig; brother Sam Ladwig; two half sisters and six half brothers.

Pete and Donna Jean loved traveling in their motor home to different parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Pete was not only good as a mechanic but he was able to fix anything. He loved life and his family was very important to him. He was a fighter but suddenly his body was tired and he couldn't fight anymore. He also enjoyed card games with the Javorka's, especially when the men beat the women.

Rest in peace!! We will miss you so much and in our hearts forever!! Special thanks to the staff at Kootenai Cancer Center and the staff on Oncology floor and I.C.U.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Hospice House, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel and Gathering Center. Following services there will be a reception held at the Coeur d'Alene Elks on Prairie Avenue.

Yates Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Gary's (Pete) online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.