Frederick Kroetch, 81

Fred J. Kroetch passed away June 3, 2023, at Hospice of North Idaho. Fred was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on July 28, 1941. He lived in Harrison, Idaho, where he went to school and worked at the family log peeler and still mill on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Fred and his brother, Keith, were operating the family tugboat in their early teens, bringing logs from Chatcolet Lake to the Kroetch mill in Harrison. This led to an interest in log rolling (birling), and he took part in many competitions. He also owned a '57 Chevy that he took to many drag race competitions. After high school, Fred moved to Coeur d’Alene, where he briefly attended NIC before he was drafted into the Army. Fred was being deployed to Vietnam when his transport ship was turned back due to the weather. He was not redeployed.

Fred worked several jobs in Coeur d’Alene before he bought American Bail Bonds, which he operated for 18 years along with his companion and significant other, Patty Bofenkamp. Patty lost her battle with cancer in 1997. During this time, he also owned Johnny’s American service station on Sherman Avenue, and he delivered heating oil to many houses in town. For 30 years beginning in 1976, Fred also managed log sales from the family timber business, Kroetch Land & Timber Company.

Fred was a boisterous character, known for speaking his mind. He enjoyed hunting, trap and skeet shooting, boating and 4-wheeling, and he was a longtime member of the Eagles in Coeur d’Alene.

Fred is survived by his brother, Keith Kroetch of Coeur d’Alene; his daughters, Veronica Stone of Coeur d’Alene and Michelle Linenberger of Sacramento, Calif.; nephews Brian Kroetch and Joe Kroetch of Coeur d’Alene and Alex Bierwag of Austin, Texas; and nieces Denise Potts of Coeur d’Alene, Janet Nelson of Lady Lake, Fla., and Morella Bierwag of Newport, Ore.

Fred wished no services, so please raise a glass with friends and consider a donation to Hospice of North Idaho (https://www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org/) or the Crane Historical Society and Crane House Museum (http://the-crane-historical-society.weebly.com/) in Harrison, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Fred’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.