Donald Vernon Evanenko, 82

Donald Vernon Evanenko, 82, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed on May 1, 2016, at Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a brief illness.

Don was born on March 14, 1934, on the family farm in Butte, N.D., where he grew up, farmed with his dad and later with his sons. Don left the farm taking a courier position with FedEx in December 1984, which turned into an additional career lasting nearly 28 years. He retired from FedEx in November 2013, not wanting to work another Christmas rush. During his 27 years and 10 1/2 months with FedEx, Don missed only one workday; an accomplishment he was very proud of.

Don met his bride to be, Geraldeen Grondahl, at Union College while picking up his younger sister at the conclusion of the school year. They married later that summer on Aug. 31, 1958, in Jamestown, N.D. They started their life together on the family farm, south of Butte, and resided there until the fall of 1984. Since the farm, they’ve resided in Minot, Alexander and Williston, N.D.; Billings and Miles City, Mont.; and Post Falls, Idaho — each location related to an area where Don delivered packages. Don was a member of the Spokane Valley, Wash., Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Jeff Hage and granddaughter Chanda Hage. Don is survived by his wife, Geri; children Curtis (Cheryl) Evanenko of Walla Walla, Wash., Brent (Kim) Evanenko Sheboygan of Wisconsin, Suzette Hage of Bismarck, N.D., Tanya St. George of Post Falls and Kyleen (Cody) Thomason of Walla Walla; his sisters, Elaine (Ben) Brown of Moses Lake, Wash., and Esther (Ken) Allred of Walla Walla; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls. A service will be held in North Dakota, the summer of 2017. Memorials can be made to Hospice House, 2290 West Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. Please sign the online guest book and leave a memory at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.