Gary Konrad Mundlin, 86
July 4, 1937 — Jan. 5, 2024
Gary K. Mundlin 86, of Butte, Mont., passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Saint James Hospital. He was surrounded by his wife, daughters and family as he went to be with his Lord; free of pain. He was born on the Fourth of July 1937 in Omaha, Neb., to Lois and Herman Mundlin. Gary grew up in Lewiston, Idaho, after his family moved there at a young age to live with his grandfather; in a shed that was ultimately renovated as a home. He worked in the potato fields as a young boy with his father and grandfather, learning a work ethic that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
Out of school after the eighth grade; he became the head of the family, when his father passed away, working odd jobs as a drywaller, and began to sharpen his skills as a mechanic. He joined the Navy when he turned 17; where he worked in the ship’s boiler room and traveled the world. He met his wife-to-be, Darlene Hawn, when he was home on leave; and they married Oct. 1, 1958, when he returned home after his tour of duty. They went on to have three daughters. Gary threatened to “not pay the doctor on the third; if it was not a boy — before he agreed three little girls would be just fine.”
Gary and Darlene moved to Post Falls, Idaho, in 1965; where they bought some land on Signal Point Road, above Post Falls and built their first home on weekends, and after work, living paycheck to paycheck, as he refused to take out a loan. In the winter of 68-69; he finished the indoor toilet after the outhouse blew over. Gary started his own very successful business “Gary’s Gear Shop” on Seltice Way in Post Falls; along with help from Darlene who also took care of their home and kids.
Once the kids left home; they lived on a private airstrip in Spirit Lake for a while, after he got his private pilot’s license. He enjoyed taking family and friends to breakfast in nearby towns; where he and Darlene would sometimes camp for the night.
Later, they moved to the Rathdrum prairie on Hayden Avenue. His family continued to grow and he was blessed with six grandchildren, whom they both enjoyed every chance they could. While the three daughters had done their best; to be his little tomboy with some success; he had better luck with grandsons later in life as they helped Grandpa in his shop.
Not one to be idle, after selling the gear shop, he purchased a dump truck to pursue a new business adventure. Gary was always an inventor; with more success on some than others. He built and fabricated a Speedster from scratch, renovated a model A, a Willey’s Jeep, and a Chevrolet Flat Bed.
Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. He is preceded in death by his father, Herman, mother Lois, brother Loyd, sisters Carol and Janet. Survivors include Darlene, his wife and best friend of 65 years; daughters Lori Blanchard (Del Hallberg), Vicki Smith (Brent), Terri Elge (Al) and six grandchildren; Tarl (Darcy), Telima, and Trace Blanchard, Jenessa Elge (Chris Cherney), Troy (Mackenzie) and Bryce Smith, and four great-grandchildren; Brylee, Faith, KayLynn, and Harley.
Butte Funeral Home is handling the details; with the link shown below. A memorial to celebrate “A Life Well Lived” will be held in Hayden, Idaho, in the summer of 2024.
https://buttefuneralhome.com/obituaries/gary-konrad-mundlin-age-86-of-butte/
Mundlin