Milestone Announcements
ANNIVERSARY
Tom and Lois Getzfrid
70th Anniversary
Tom and Lois Getzfrid were married June 8, 1954, in St. Michaels Catholic Church in Albion, Neb. St. Michaels’ has been the Getzfrid’s family church for more than 100 years!
Tom and Lois proudly have three children: Mark (Jamie), Greg (Jane) and Jera (Marty); six beautiful grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (with the oldest great-grandchild, 18, and twins, 3 months old).
They lived in Manhattan Beach, Calif., for 50 years. During Tom’s 37 years at McDonald Douglas (Aircraft), he founded the Calif. McDonald Douglas Family Motorcycle Club. Tom held the position of president of American Motorcycle Association of California and was instrumental in supporting large race events like the Barstow to Vegas which drew hundreds of riders, spectators and race fans yearly. Tom himself is known within the desert race community as an expert rider who’s tough to beat and he’s placed first in many motorcycle competitions.
Since Tom’s retirement in 1991, they have spent their summers on the lake at their Rockford Bay Cabin. Both Tom and Lois have been active in the Coeur d'Alene Elks since 1992 and feel extremely blessed by the many friends they’ve come to know and care about through the Elks Lodge.
In 2005, deciding Idaho was where they wanted to live full-time, they built a home in Dalton Gardens. This was a great decision so they both could spend more time within their Coeur d'Alene community. Tom’s first big Elk’s project was to help design and open the Elk’s RV Park. Lois is devoted to her St. Pius Divine Mercy Group. She’s volunteered at the food bank, Birth Right and other organizations supporting our community.
The Getzfrid’s have traveled to most states in the U.S. and have visited many other countries. They especially enjoyed motor home traveling with close friends since 1970.
In 2022, they downsized and built a new home within Leisure Park, Hayden, a 55 and older community. This meant selling their motor home and adapting to a different lifestyle … Driving less and FLYING MORE!
Tom and Lois Getzfrid’s 70th wedding anniversary will be celebrated with a private party at the Coeur d'Alene Elk’s and the following morning a brunch will be hosted by their daughter, Jera at their Club House for all their family and friends who’ve traveled such a distance to celebrate with them. That evening at St. Pius Catholic Church, Fr. Len will be blessing their marriage and family.
ENGAGEMENT
Karsann-Raj
David and Robin Karsann are delighted to announce the engagement of their eldest son, Devan Karsann to Amifa Raj, the daughter of Sheikh Abdur Razzak and Shamsun Nahar.
Devan holds a master's degree in computer science from Boise State University and currently works as a Data Engineer. Amifa completed her doctorate in computer science from Boise State and works as an applied scientist.
Amifa grew up in Bangladesh, and Devan was born and raised in Coeur d'Alene. Their paths converged in Boise where they worked in the same research lab.
The couple is planning to exchange vows in June. Amifa and Devan are excited for their life ahead and look forward to sharing their love with everyone at their wedding.
MILITARY
Erika Gallus, a resident of Rathdrum, homeschool student, and 2020 graduate of Lakeland High School graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 31, 2024. The Air Force Academy is one of the nation's five federal military service academies, which are among the most prestigious public institutions in the United States. Acceptance to a service academy requires the completion of a lengthy and thorough admissions process, including congressional nominations. Gallus was nominated by Rep. Russ Fulcher and Sen. James Risch to attend the Air Force Academy.
While at the Air Force Academy, Gallus was on the Sandhurst Team, which competes in an international military skills competition at the United States Military Academy, West Point every spring. Gallus and her team placed in the top three for the past three years, making this Air Force Academy Sandhurst Team the most successful team ever (in its 57-year history).
Gallus was consistently on merit lists and graduated the Academy 50 out of 965 graduates. She maintained a 3.86 GPA, and received the Civil Engineering department’s “Eulberg Award for the Outstanding Cadet in Character & Integrity” (Top 100 is called Distinguished Graduate).
After graduating, Gallus will attend graduate school at Virginia Tech to study Civil and Geotechnical Engineering and attain her master's degree, with specific research in earthquake engineering. She was one of around 70 cadets to receive a fully-funded scholarship to continue their academic studies beyond the Air Force Academy.
Gallus was also selected to attend helicopter pilot training and will begin training after completing her graduate degree.
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Submit your milestones to hmain@cdapress.com or in person at the Coeur d’Alene Press, 215 Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Listings include:
• Wedding anniversaries for couples married 25 years and every fifth year thereafter (2 photos accepted)
• Engagement announcements (1 photo accepted)
• Wedding announcements (1 photo accepted)
• Births (1 photo accepted)
• Milestone birthdays at age 70 and every fifth year thereafter or every year after age 90 (1 photo accepted)
• Generations (1 photo accepted)
• Higher education graduates (1 photo accepted)
• Military announcements (1 photo accepted)
Deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays.
Tom and Lois Getzfrid, 70th Anniversary 
Karsann-Raj Engagement 
Erika Gallus