Rev. Myron E. Wackler, 90

Rev. Myron Edmund Wackler, 90, left this world from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to join the Lord he served so faithfully. It is altogether fitting that God chose a Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, to take him home.

Born on May 9, 1924, the oldest of 10 children to Edmund and Frances Wackler of Howard Lake, Minn. He was a German speaking farm boy who longed for education and realized early on that his life's work was first and foremost to serve his Lord.

He was college educated at Concordia College in Springfield, Ill. He met the love of his life, Geraldine Shipp, in Mason City, a nearby town, and together they raised six children - five boys and the sixth a girl.

Rev. Wackler spent over 50 years preaching the Gospel of Christ as a Lutheran Minister in Illinois and Montana. He was also a school board secretary for many years and considered education one of life's most important gifts.

He will be remembered by his family as a brother who led by example and some intrinsic strength he seemed to have been born with, and as a father whose pleasure it was to show his children the world and all of its wonders by way of a station wagon and a travel trailer. His 15 grandchildren remember him as the family patriarch who loved family gatherings and who played a mean harmonica.

Most remember him as a mortal man who donned a robe on Sundays, stepped into the pulpit and became something much, much more. He was a brilliant preacher and public speaker with a powerful message and a rare ability to connect deeply with people of all ages and intellects. His legacy is the many lives he touched both from the pulpit and in his daily life.

He was an outdoorsman who loved being in the woods, in the mountains, and on the lakes, rivers and oceans. He grew up playing baseball as a pitcher and loved the game as a fan all of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Frances Wackler; sisters Mavis Scheer and Carol Walden; his wife, Geraldine Wackler; and his son, Jonathan.

He is survived by children Dan Wackler of Eugene, Ore., Joe Wackler (Stefanie) of Soldotna, Alaska, Tom Wackler of Missoula, Mont., Tim Wackler (Michelle) of Missoula, Mont., Jane Curtis of Coeur d'Alene, his special daughter who cared for him in the last years of his life. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters John Wackler (Dorothy), Ila Mae Hengel, Harold Wackler, Darlene Newman, James Wackler (Caroline), Michael Wackler, and Robert Wackler.

Myron Wackler was blessed with 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren that he dearly loved.

His favorite Bible verse and his message to anyone who would listen were always one and the same: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16:31

There will be a celebration of life ceremony in Missoula, Mont., at a later date.