Milestone Announcements
ANNIVERSARY
Bob and Sandi Gilbertson
50th Anniversary
Bob and Sandi Gilbertson were married Jan. 27, 1968, and will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
They have been blessed with two children, Shannon Pesch and Stacy Rud; two sons-in-law, Chris Pesch and Dan Rud; three grandchildren, Shayna Pesch, Steven Pesch and Sydnee Rud; and one great-grandchild, Rylan.
Bob and Sandi both were born in Stephen, Minn., and lived in East Grand Forks, Minn., Glendale, Ariz., Flagstaff, Ariz., and currently reside in Coeur d’Alene.
They enjoy traveling, love the outdoors and have devoted their lives to their family. Congratulations Mom and Dad, we love you!
MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS
Eiko Alby
90th Birthday
Eiko Alby had her 90th birthday at Bestland Retirement on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018.
She was a 17-year-old entertainer in Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. She came to the United States in 1957 and became a citizen.
Eiko had a wonderful day with her friends at Bestland.
Ed Johnson
102nd Birthday
Edward Johnson was born on the cold, wintry day of Jan. 29, 1916, in Coeur d’Alene. He grew up in Coeur d’Alene and Rose Lake. His father, Earl M. Johnson, was a lumber piler. His mother, Clara Johnson, was a housewife. His parents were actually married on the property of Coeur d’Alene Homes, where he is a resident, in 1915! Ed has four brothers and one sister.
Ed’s grandparents immigrated from Sweden around the turn of the century and lived on a homestead farm near Coeur d’Alene. He spent many happy days with them while on school vacation. Ed has early memories of riding the horse and buggy with his grandmother while delivering milk. He also recalls the American Indians from Worley camping at Cougar Bay and bartering with his grandpa for oat hay for the horses and cream for themselves in exchange for huckleberries.
Ed finished school through the eighth grade in Rose Lake. He attended Coeur d’Alene High School while living in Cougar Bay, so he walked 2-and-a-half miles to school every day. The first job Ed had after high school was for a logger on Cedar Mountain, near Silverwood. It took him five hours by horse and wagon to travel the 20 miles to the camp.
Ed attended North Idaho College and then graduated from the University of Idaho. He served in the Air Force from 1941-1945, being stationed with the Alaska-Siberia Air Route for 2-and-a-half years. This was not considered hazardous warfare, but was an active base with planes being sent to the Russian front. He also worked for the Department of Health and Welfare from 1940-1976 in Sandpoint, Grangeville, Boise and Coeur d’Alene.
Ed married May L. Mathison on July 8, 1951. Ed was married to his wife for 48 years. Though they knew each other since they were students, they didn’t marry until they were in their early 30s as Ed wanted to make sure that he could support a family properly. The day he asked her to marry him was one of the best days of his life: “I expressed my love for her and said that we needed each other.” If asked for marriage advice, he says, “Be more considerate of each other’s views. Try to recognize that you can do more as a couple than alone and attempt to work together rather than going your own way.” Ed and May enjoyed traveling together and even visited Norway and Sweden, where they had relatives. May passed away in 1998.
Ed has one child, Douglas Johnson, who was born in 1952. Doug lives in Medford, Ore. He also has three grandchildren who live in Washington and Oregon. He greatly enjoys when he is able to spend some time with them.
Ed enjoyed gardening (especially growing strawberries, raspberries and apples), fishing, reading and huckleberry picking. He has traveled to Hawaii, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and most of the western and Midwest states. For exercise, he enjoyed hiking, skating and swimming. He was interested in politics and was president of the Chapter of the National Council of Senior Citizens. He volunteered for the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and the National Wildlife Federation, which works to protect the habitat. He is a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene.
Ed attributes his longevity to good genes, good medical care and simple living.
We are so happy to have Ed here at Coeur d’Alene Homes!
Happy 102nd birthday, Ed!
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Ed’s Favorite Things
Season: Spring, the awakening after winter.
Hymn: “Children of the Heavenly Father” (Swedish hymn).
Color: Blue
Past gift: A knitted sweater from Grandma made out of wool.
Gift he would love to give to his grandchildren: Property to be close to the soil and nature.
Historical figure: Abraham Lincoln, courage in the face of obstacles.
Favorite thing about his wife: That she was so thoughtful of others and made beautiful handcrafts.
Advice: Enjoy the simple things of life!
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Submit your milestones to [email protected] or in person at the Coeur d’Alene Press, 215 Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Listings include:
• Wedding anniversaries for couples married 25 years and every fifth year thereafter (2 photos accepted)
• Engagement announcements (1 photo accepted)
• Wedding announcements (1 photo accepted)
• Births (1 photo accepted)
• Milestone birthdays at age 70 and every fifth year thereafter or every year after age 90 (1 photo accepted)
• Generations (1 photo accepted)
• Academic honors and higher education accomplishments (1 photo accepted)
• Military announcements (1 photo accepted)
Deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays.