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Donald Andersen, 91

Donald Andersen, 91, passed away March 11, 2018, at home surrounded by family. Don was born Nov. 19, 1926, in Hardy, Neb., to Martin and Bertha Andersen. He was raised in Montana. Don married Mary Simoneau on Aug. 1, 1949, in Hanks, N.D. Don and Mary moved with their four daughters to Hayden Lake, Idaho in 1956.

Don worked as a mechanic for Elliot Motors, and then for Crollard Ford while their family grew to eight children. Don owned and operated a backhoe business for five years. In 1969 he and his brother, Leonard, owned Andersen Brothers Phillips 66 on 15th and Sherman. Then in 1974 Don started working for Kerr Oil until his retirement.

Don was one of the original members of the Hayden Lake Volunteer Fire Department which he served for 24½ years. The Andersen family was one of the founding families of St. Pius X Catholic Church in 1962. Don also was on the board of Directors of Avondale Irrigation for 37 years.

He had a passionate love of flying; his first solo flight was in November 1982. He and Mary logged 1,175 hours in his Cessna 172, and 180 in his Piper Cherokee.

Don was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard; sisters, Gladys Halland and Agnes Forsyth; granddaughter, Dana Maag and grandson, David Rayan. He is survived by his sweetheart, Mary; eight children, Donna (Joe) Rayan of San Jose, Calif., Marlene (Pat) Gray of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Marlis (Dave) Jessick of Hayden Lake, Beverly (John) Hays of Edmonds, Wash., Randy (Mary Kay) Andersen of Seattle, Wash., Joan (Darcy) Maag of Caldwell, Idaho, Curtis (Lisa) Andersen of Post Falls, Idaho, David (Lisa) Andersen of Rathdrum, Idaho; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Don approached death the same way he lived life; with humor, kindness and surrounded by family, friends and love.

There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth Street Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018, with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11 a.m., at St. Pius X parish, 625 E. Haycraft Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. The graveside service will follow at 2 p.m., at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements have been entrusted to English Funeral Chapel, please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com to see Don’s online memorial. Donations in Don’s name can be made to St. Pius X parish and Hospice of North Idaho.