Walter Johannes Frostad, 93

Tuesday, Jan. 8th, 2013 was the day the music died. Walt Frostad was born July 1, 1919 to John Frostad and Thelma Jernberg Frostad in Northport, Wash. He was the fifth born in a family of 13 and grew up on his parents’ and grandparents’ homesteads in Marcus, Wash. Music was an evening pastime in the Frostad house, and Walt learned to play his Dad’s harmonica at a young age. He was given a fiddle by his parents as his next instrument, and picked that up quickly as well. Walt had a gift for music, and he taught himself to play the accordion, drums, guitar, and piano, and he played them all by ear! The accordion was his specialty, and he played in his first band with his brothers, The Golden Mountain Boys, while he was still in high school. He went on to have his own bands, and music was his weekend profession. Walt had a running gig playing at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles starring Walt & The Scarlets for over 20 years, and he also played at the Sandpoint Eagles for many years! He played at many lodges, weddings, parties, reunions, retirement homes, events, and halls. He graduated in 1936, and he still spent time reminiscing with his high school best friend Fred Marshall this past summer. Walt served in the Army from 1942 to 1946 during WWII. After serving his country, he became a rural letter carrier for the US Postal Service, and for 26 years he delivered mail through rain, sun, sleet, and snow on the Rathdrum Prairie. He retired after breaking records for driving the longest mail route with over a half million miles driven, and had received multiple awards for his perfect, safe driving record. Walt attended business school and became a CPA, and following that became a Real Estate agent and broker. He was very proud of what a poor farm boy had accomplished! Walt was a member of the Eagles Lodge for over 20 years, and a member of the Sons of Norway. He was an officer and valued member of both.

Many people knew him for his large and beautiful garden, his wonderful yard, and his long walks with his faithful, four-legged friends, but what was close to Walt’s heart was his family. He married Betty Hilborn and had two daughters, Laurel Jean, and Lynda J. Later, Walt married Leona Zierlein and had a son, Ricky Walt. During his last marriage to Delores Lenz Frostad he loved, lived, and learned. Their marriage lasted for almost 25 years before Dee‘s passing, and they had four girls, Tamara Marie, Cheryl Lynn, Julie Annette, and Nicole Dawn. Walt’s priority was his family, and he cherished his family time. He always let us know we could count on him in every way big and small, and that he would love us through this life and beyond.

Walt passed away peacefully in Coeur d’Alene, in his home of 63 years, surrounded by the love of his family. He is proceeded in death by his daughter Laurel Jean, and his wife Dee. His surviving siblings are Larry, Johnny, and Melvin Frostad. His daughter Lynda J. Garlick and son-in-law Patrick, Spokane, Wash. son Ricky Walt Frostad and daughter-in-law Ellen (Nelle), Spokane, Wash., daughter Tamara Marie Frostad and son-in-law Gary Fulfer, Sagle, Idaho, daughter Cheryl Lynn Frostad and daughter-in-law Susan Sutton, Spokane, Wash., daughter Julie Annette Hammock and son-in-law Keith, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, daughter Nicole Dawn Robertson and son-in-law Randy, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, his pup Beau Jack and his kitty Tinkerbell, will miss his heart-warming smile, sassy responses, and adventurous spirit. Walt’s children gave him 17 grandchildren, and so far 18 great-grandchildren. All of them, and his many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family will miss him and the music that was always present in our lives. Dad taught us that being young truly has no age boundaries. In our minds he will be forever young.

A celebration of Walter’s life and remembrance will be held at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, 209 E. Sherman Ave., Monday, January 21st, at 1 p.m. Please bring a written memory, pictures, or memorabilia you may have of Walt to help us create a family treasure book. A potluck will follow and cocktails will be available for purchase from the Eagles.

Please visit Walt’s online memorial: http://Walter-J-Frostad.forevermissed.com