Henry (Hank) Viebrock Jr., 85

Henry Viebrock Jr., 85, of Rathdrum, passed away Oct. 27, 2015, at Generations Care Center in Rathdrum. He was born June 22, 1930, in Kahlotus, Wash., and was the son of Henry and Goldie Viebrock. Soon after his birth his family settled in the Rathdrum area.

He met and married his school sweetheart, Olive Jane Crawford, on April 12, 1947. They resided in Hayden, Idaho, and had five children. In 1968 they moved to Rathdrum.

Hank worked for Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation at the Trentwood Rolling Mill for 36 years, retiring in 1982. Hank spent 17 of those years in management. He personally knew Henry J. Kaiser, founder of the company. In his early years, it was not uncommon to find him working two to three jobs at a time due to the illness and loss of his eldest son. During his retirement years, he pursued his interest in buying and selling equipment. He ran Viebrock Excavating Company from his home in Rathdrum. He always enjoyed work on his tractor and could find any excuse for its use. He loved a good bargain; many of his children and grandchildren always brought him along to ensure the best deal on their purchase.

Henry was a Mason and was a founding member of the Hayden Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout his life he invested much of his free time to his children. He helped the kids with their 4-H animals and projects and coached his sons in church league basketball, Hayden Lake Little League, and his granddaughters in the Kootenai Girls Softball Association. Hank was an avid Lakeland High School sports supporter and member of the booster club. His sons and grandchildren were all active in Lakeland sports and seldom did he or wife Olive ever miss an event.

He enjoyed taking family and friends on camping trips to Priest Lake and the Lightening Creek area. He was a hunter, fisherman, gardener, and the best grandfather a family could have. He will be forever in all our hearts, our lives will never be the same without him.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Karen and Jon Harwood of Hayden; son Ronald Viebrock and Jan Jones of Yelm, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law Gary and Donna Viebrock of Rathdrum; son and daughter-in-law James and Kay Viebrock of Rathdrum; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Henry was preceded in death by his son, Richard H. Viebrock, in 1952 and his wife of 63 years, Olive Jane Viebrock, in 2010.

Memorial gathering will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho.

Per Henry’s request, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org or by phone (800) 805-5856.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Hank’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.