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Norman Leonard Vantrease, 90

Norman Leonard Vantrease, age 90, was born on Jan. 30, 1928, in Enterprise, Ore. to Leonard Bryon and Eva Amelia (Young) Vantrease. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him until his passing on Feb. 15, 2018.

Norman was the second oldest of seven children. He moved with his family from Oregon to Washington and finally to Idaho. Norman enlisted into the Navy, where he was a Seaman First Class and received a World War II Victory Medal. After he was discharged from the Navy, he met Florence Elizabeth Johnson in Anatone, Wash. They married in 1948 and moved to Houston, Texas, where they had three children, Alice, Mary and Kenneth. In 1952, the family moved back to Idaho where Mike was born. Norman and Florence lived in Coeur d’Alene until all of their kids were married. Then in 1977 they moved to the Silver Valley. Norman and Florence lived in Wallace, Idaho until Florence passed away in 2005 after 56 years of marriage. Norman lived his last two and a half years at Living Springs Assisted Living where he was treated like family.

He loved his family and was so proud of each of them. Norman enjoyed playing games and being with friends and family.

Norman was a jack-of-all-trades and could do almost anything he put his mind to. He worked as a bus driver, taxi driver and as a property manager. However, he spent most of his working career in the logging and sawmill industry. He was proud of learning and working in the saw filing trade.

Norman’s legacy can be found in his salvation through Jesus Christ and the ministry that came from this relationship. Norman was saved in his late 20s. He ensured that his children and grandchildren were also walking with God. Norman taught Sunday school for many years and went on several memorable mission trips to Mexico. He also led the nursing home services in the Silverton Nursing Home. Up to his death, Norman continued praying for all those around him.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Eva Vantrease; wife, Florence; two great-grandchildren and son-in-law, Don Dalton.

Norman is survived by six brothers and sisters, Jean Dawson, Ruby Johnson, Bob and Selma Vantrease, Jim and Betty Vantrease, Tom Vantrease and Glenn and Donna Vantrease, all of whom reside in the Lewiston/Clarkston area. He is also survived by four children, Alice Dalton of Salem, Ore., Mary and Dana Horton of Post Falls, Idaho, Kenneth and Karlene Vantrease of Palmer, Alaska and Michael and Anita Vantrease of Midvale, Idaho. Norman is also survived by nine grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all those who cared for Norman at Living Springs Assisted Living in Post Falls, and all the Auburn Crest Hospice workers. We appreciate all the V.A. home based care workers, all of you took such good care of Norman.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2018, at the Canvas Church 2200 N. Seventh St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls has been entrusted with the arrangements.