Vytautas 'Vyto' Kazimieras Šimaitis, 74

Vytautas “Vyto” Kazimieras Šimaitis was born Oct. 27, 1948, in Reutlingen, Germany. In August of 1949, he emigrated to the United States with his parents, sister and grandparents as their young family fled the war. He grew up with a quick wit and made mischief in the Chicagoland area, where he was a member of the local Lithuanian community. He fathered his two eldest daughters before he was called westward. After completing a bachelor’s degree in biology at Loyola University, Vyto was drawn to the wilderness of Idaho. He earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries management, then a masters of natural science in zoology from the University of Idaho.

Vyto was employed as a State Farm insurance agent for 42 years. He spent his free time enjoying nature and the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He traveled regularly to the Northwest territories for fishing, and to Lithuania for game hunting, and he took a trip of a lifetime to Alaska for hunting and rafting on the North Fork of the Kuskokwim. There were countless hunting and fishing trips throughout Idaho with many close friends that made up some of his fondest memories. He will be remembered for the rascally glimmer in his eye, for being a seasoned outdoorsman and an avid reader.

He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family July 20, 2023.

Vyto was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stasys and Domicele Dirmantas, his parents, Vladas and Aldona (Dirmantas), and his former wife, Shirley Sutter. He is survived by his spouse of 47 years, Milda, daughters Dana (Joe) Armagno, Antonio, Olivia and Giacomo; Linea (Mike) Brouwer, Faith and Michael; Vilija Simaitis (Trevor Jorgensen), Žaibas and Vejas; and son Rimas Simaitis (Katie Sinnott), Aras and Maeve; and his sisters, Sylvia (Val) Krumplis and Audrone (Tony) Elvikis.

Services are private.