Wayne Eugene Gravelle, 54

Wayne Eugene Gravelle, 54, died suddenly on Dec. 31, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Glenda Gravelle, his wife, Angela, and children Melissa Gravelle, Jessica Gravelle, Ryan Sailor and Ethan Sailor, as well as many extended family members.

Wayne was born in Kellogg, Idaho, and when he was five months old, the family moved to Deer River, Minn. Wayne attended elementary school and the family attended the Apostolic Finnish Lutheran Church. As a young boy, Wayne enjoyed the outdoors, riding bikes, playing with Matchbox cars and Tonka trucks, raising his pet rabbit, participating in Boy Scouts and challenging his older step-brother at chess — many times besting him.

When Wayne was a teenager, the family moved back to Kellogg, Idaho, to be closer to family. He attended high school through his sophomore year then later received his GED. He enjoyed working on cars and hanging out at the lake with his friends. Wayne first started work by helping a friend in construction until he became a chef at Best Western, followed by being a cook at the Flying J. His last job, which he held for over 16 years, was operating heavy equipment at the Fighting Creek Landfill.

Wayne and his wife Angela have been together over 20 years and with his two girls Melissa and Jessica, Angie's son Ryan, and their boy Ethan, they lived a full family life. Every Father's Day, Wayne took the boys to the fishing derby in Rathdrum. He learned to braid his daughters' hair and he even colored his girls' hair, including his wife's. The family also liked camping up at Round Lake. As their children grew up and had struggles, he was the first one they would call for help. Wayne and Angela enjoyed going to movies and eating out at different restaurants. Because of Wayne's cooking experience and love of BBQ-ing, he was quite the food critic. One of Wayne's hobbies was checking out thrift shops and engaging other "treasure hunters" in conversation. Besides having a great sense of humor, Wayne knew how to fix things; therefore, family and friends often counted on him as a handyman.

Wayne was also a devoted son who checked in on his mom often. He took her to visit her family in Kellogg, they shared holidays together, and counted on her to make the family's favorite crazy cakes for birthdays. He often saved up quarters to give to her for her laundry. When things would get tough, Wayne would tell her, "Oh, don't worry about it; we'll get through." And he regularly said, "Oh, Mom, you're going to live forever," and the two would have a great laugh.

Wayne will certainly be missed for he was a special man, son, husband, father, brother and friend. There will be a celebration of life on Feb. 12, 2022, at the Post Falls Senior Center (1215 E. 3rd Ave.) from 1-3 p.m. The family is looking forward to sharing stories and remembering Wayne's impact in the lives of those he loved.