Emil Guse, 88

Emil Gustave Guse passed on Wednesday September 25 at the age 88. He was born in Robinson, ND to Caroline and Gustave Guse on April 27, 1925. The family moved to Corvallis, MT where he was raised on a farm with ten siblings. Emil enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WWII at the age of 17 and served as an electrician on fighter planes in the South Pacific. After the war, he married Florence (Reich) in Hamilton, MT, his wife of 66 years. Florence and Emil raised five children, David Guse, Sharon (Geri) Johnson, Judy (Rae) Guse-Noritake, Barbara (Rich) Pickens, and Raymond (Jeanne) Guse. He had eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Emil was preceded in death by his son David, granddaughter Megan, his parents, five brothers, one sister. Over a 38 year career with the Rural Electric Association in Western MT and Northern ID as a line foreman he brought electricity to many farms and ranches for the first time. He was often called upon in the middle of the night in the worst weather conditions the northwest can deliver to restore electricity that people depended upon to heat homes, milk cows and support other infrastructure needs. Florence would get up with him to prepare coffee that would keep him warm and awake and food to see him through power outages while not knowing when he’d return. Emil was a much loved and popular husband, father, brother, and grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, teacher, mentor and moral example to many people throughout the country. His mind remained sharp to the end and he could recount stories of the successes and trials for everyone he knew. He worked crossword puzzles until they were completed every day. He regularly attended Lutheran Church and often served on church administrative and advisory committees. Upon his death he was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, ID where a memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, October 5, 2013. Donations may be given to the American Heart Association. Please visit Emil’s memorial and sign his online guest book atwww.yatesfuneralhomes.com