Gerald Wiedenhoff

Gerald (Jerry) Wiedenhoff made a difference in each life that he touched. He passed away on Nov. 21, 2015, at home. His parents, Max and Maxine, and his older brother John preceded him in death. He was born Dec. 11, 1945 in San Diego, Calif. After graduating from University of San Diego High School, he proudly served his country in the Air Force, stationed in France. After being honorably discharged, Jerry joined the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for several years prior to moving to Hayden Lake, Idaho.

Jerry began his service of over 20 years with Kootenai County Sheriff, where he retired as a lieutenant of detectives. He was known for his humorous cartoonist skills and level-headed, easy going nature. His fellow officers saw him as someone who would take them under his wing as a mentor, teaching them what it meant to serve through humility. No matter how despairing the situation, his fellow officers knew that Ol’ Jer would always have their backs. His coworkers knew him as someone that others would like to be and wish they had been; a man who enriched us all by being around him. He was beloved for his humor, his commitment, his willingness to be there for others. With a smile and firm handshake, he taught us all what a man is meant to be to those he shares his life with. He finished his career with the Idaho State Police as a criminal analyst.

Spending his life with his wife Sharlene always brought new and fun adventures. Jerry always kept busy. Between seemingly endless golf games, he worked diligently to handcraft their dream home with his family and many, many willing friends who were paid with gratitude and a cold one. He enjoyed traveling the world with his sweetheart, Sharlene, with Maui becoming his home away from home. With a heart for service, he ensured the Knights of Columbus were never without assistance. Countless years were spent as the Grand Knight as well as other roles, including doughnut server and Tootsie Roll distributor. He lived out his faith every day. Never lacking in projects, they began a business of buying and selling homes that needed some TLC.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharlene; brother, Dennis; sister, Kitty; and their three children; daughter, Libby, and her children Noah and Sequoia; son, Fritz and his children Ashley, Max, and Madison; and daughter, Jenn, son-in-law, Ben, and their daughters, Emma and Aubrey. From the moment they met, Sharlene and Jerry were the best of friends. Rarely seen outside of each other’s presence, they enjoyed making each other laugh. Even after 33 and ¾ years of being a family their love continues. As a man with quiet and unassuming character and habits, Jerry taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work and an honest spirit. A warm hug and an encouraging word were always readily available. To his grandchildren, especially, he always had time to play and laugh. Few things were of more importance than an afternoon at a game cheering on his favorite little players. This all happened because two people fell in love.

Please, join us for a Memorial Mass at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. A reception will follow at the church. To continue Jerry’s heart for giving, please consider making a donation either to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the North Idaho Catholic Youth Camp (NICYC). Please visit Jerry’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com