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Stephen A. Waller, 74

Stephen A. Waller, 74, passed away on May 31, 2019. He went to Heaven where he joined his wife, his parents and his younger brother. He is now truly at rest and in peace.

Steve was born on March 12, 1945, in Mesa, Ariz.; the second child to Herman and Ellen Lucille Waller. Herman was in the military and the family moved to several locations during Steve’s childhood (Georgia, Nebraska and Illinois). But to Steve, home was always Black River Falls, Wis.

Steve has one older brother, Stewart; his younger brother, Kent; and Terry Thompson, his cousin and “adopted brother.” The four boys were always together, causing trouble and giving Ellen Lucille gray hairs.

In 1966, Steve met the love of his life, Sandra, in Kenosha, Wis., at her brothers’ tavern. After a short engagement, the two were married; a marriage that lasted more than 52 years. Shortly after the two were married, Steve was drafted into the military where he served as a dental-man in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war.

Upon returning from the war, Steve and Sandy lived in Southern California, where Steve began his business, Waller Painting, which specialized in the painting of commercial properties and residential homes.

Steve and Sandy had one daughter, Shelaine, who they loved and spoiled.

Steve and Sandy both fell in love with, and relocated to, Post Falls, Idaho, in 1992, after a visit to see Sandy’s brother. They both loved the area with its beautiful forests, lakes and the small-town feel, and to Steve it was home once again.

Steve was a member of the following organizations: The Elks (Thousand Oaks, Calif. and Coeur d’Alene and Wallace, Idaho chapters), American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Coeur d’Alene chapter of the Cooties. Steve was extremely proud of the red, white and blue and what it stood for. A true American patriot.

The Waller Family would like to give a special thank you to Life Care Center of Post Falls and their exceptional staff, CNAs and nurses, who took care of Steve for nearly four years. You brought a smile to his face, brought out his silly side and his sass, and took care of him to the best of your abilities with dignity and grace when Steve could no longer be at home. Thank you does not begin to state how much you are appreciated.

Steve is survived by his brother, Stewart; his “adopted brother,” Terry Thompson; his daughter, Shelaine and his favorite girl — his granddaughter, Rosalyn Bailey Crysler.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave, Post Falls.