Byron Burgeson, 91

Byron Burgeson, 91, of Oldtown, passed away Oct. 13, 2011, at Rose Terrace Cottages Assisted Living in Coeur d’Alene.

Byron was born Aug. 15, 1920, in Cavour, S.D., to Iver and Helga Burgeson. He had a brother Harold and a sister Eleanor. He graduated from high school in South Dakota and received a B.S. in meteorology from the University of Chicago. He worked for the weather bureau in South Dakota and served as a weatherman in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946.

Byron married Dorothy Smith in 1945 and they had three children, Eric, Chris and Jane. They lived in South Dakota and then in Texas where he worked for the weather bureau and later as an accountant for Gulf Oil. In 1953, the family moved to Coeur d’Alene because Byron thought it would be a beautiful place to live. He worked for Lafferty Transportation for several years as an accountant.

In 1965 he and Dorothy divorced and Byron moved to Priest River where he worked as an accountant for Murray Equipment Co. until he retired. In 1972 Byron married Jean Mahn, they build a home near Priest River where they lived together until Jean’s death in 2007. Jean’s son, Gerry, and Byron were very close.

Byron enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, hiking and horseback riding. He loved singing and playing his fiddle, especially at family gatherings. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and one of the highlights of his life was when he and Jean traveled to Norway to meet many of his cousins, most of whom he stayed in contact with. Byron was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Newport for many years where he had lifelong friends. He was a loving husband and father and grandfather.

Byron is survived by his children, Eric Burgeson and wife Susan, Chris Burgeson, Jane Remington and husband Rollie, stepson Gerry Mahn and wife Jeanette. Survivors also include Stacey Drasky and family, 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at American Lutheran Church in Newport. Viewing will be held from noon to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 19, 2011, at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home, Newport, is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.