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Victor Veto Valente, 85

| August 26, 2014 9:00 PM

Victor Veto Valente, 85, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014.

Victor was born to John and Hazel Valente on July 19, 1929, in Spokane, Wash., and was raised in Dalton Gardens, Idaho. He joined the United States Army in 1951 as a member of the 187th Airborne Division. After he made two jumps over North Korea as a Paratrooper during the Korean War, Victor served as a Combat Medic.

Shortly after his discharge Victor met his love, Molly, and they were wed on June 27, 1953. They were married for 61 years. To this union three sons were born - Victor, Thomas and Ronald. Victor was a proud father and had them all playing sports. He coached them in basketball when they played church league basketball during their grade school years. As the boys grew and started playing junior high and high school sports, Victor went to nearly every game when able.

Victor was an avid outdoorsman; he loved to camp, boat and fish, so he would take the family to Priest Lake year after year where he and the family would water ski, camp and fish. In 1967 he took the family to Alaska via the Alaskan Highway, which at the time was a gravel road. He drove the pickup and camper all the way, stopping at the home of Molly's sister in British Columbia, Canada, where a few days were spent catching some fish for a trout dinner. Then, it was on to Haines, Alaska, to catch the Ferry to Juneau to visit another of Molly's sisters. We arrived in Haines at 5 a.m. and it was still light as day. There, Victor fished for salmon and halibut which we had for dinner that evening.

Victor also loved to fish Hayden Lake, where he was one of the few to catch nice sized rainbow and cutthroat trout. People were always asking him how he caught such nice size trout out of that lake, and he would always respond by telling them it was all how you weighted your line with lead shot weights.

Later when the boys were on their own, Vic started playing golf which became his passion. He would play two to three times per week. Vic cherished his time on the golf course and made many friends. He and Molly would often take golfing trips to the Oregon coast, California and New Mexico along with visiting various places in Idaho.

Victor retired from Kaiser Aluminum in 1987, where he was the 80 Mill Operator.

In his later years, his son Ron meticulously cared for the back yard as Victor enjoyed sitting on his deck admiring all the flowers, trees, squirrels, doves, quail and various birds that also called his back yard home. He would stay on the deck until after dark enjoying the peace and tranquility that this setting brought him. Ron was also his primary caregiver during this time which enabled him to stay home and enjoy his time with family and friends.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hazel; brothers Pete Valente and Jim Valente; and sister, Julie Emehiser. He is survived by his wife, Molly; sons Victor, Tom and Ron; and brother, Bill Valente.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d'Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Victor's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.