Fredric Eugene Manthey, 90

Fredric Eugene Manthey, 90, beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away Sept. 13, 2026, in Portland, Ore. Born in Antigo, Wis., on Sept. 17, 1936. 

Fred was a second-generation American whose family immigrated from Poland and Germany. His father, Frank, fought in WWI at age 17 and, after his return, married his mother, Beatrice, and adopted her daughter, Helen, in 1934. Fred learned his work ethic at an early age as he helped his mother run her floral shop, sold newspapers and worked at the local movie theater. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1954 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before enlisting in the Air Force in 1955. In the Air Force, Fred spent two and a half years in Morocco, which he often reflected were some of the best times of his life. 

After completing his enlistment in 1959, he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) based out of Spokane. His work routinely brought him to Mullan, where he met his wife, Lorraine (Koivisto). He accepted an FAA job near Lookout Pass and moved to Mullan. He married Lorraine in 1962 and spent 60 years with her in Mullan, where they built a home and raised three daughters.

Fred retired early from the FAA in the early 1980s and started a small business, Gem State Specialists, with his wife. Gem State began by designing and selling custom lapel pins for the National Jaycees, then Elks, Eagles, etc. Later, Fred built and sold custom computers and installed business modems/networks throughout North Idaho and Alaska. He later enjoyed his time as the hospital administrator for the former Shoshone Medical Center in Silverton. 

Fred was well-known across the Silver Valley for his dedication to community service. He founded the Mullan Jaycee chapter in 1964, was elected State President of the Idaho Jaycees in 1971, and later selected as a JCI Senator. He orchestrated the funding and building of the Mullan Pavilion from 1967 to 1969 alongside many Mullan Jaycee friends. In addition to the Jaycees, he was also a member of the Eagles, Elks and Masons. Fred led the Wallace Elks Club as an Exalted Ruler in the 1990s. He also frequently served as a lay pastor and on the council leadership at the Mullan Emmanuel Lutheran Church for many years, where he masterminded the four-year church remodel. Fred also served as a member of the Mullan school board for over a decade and spearheaded the first computer classes at Mullan High in the 1980s.

Growing up shortly after the depression, Fred always loved a “good deal.” He enjoyed fixing things himself, learning about technology, and taking photos of his travels and family. Many will also remember his trademark wink and smile. 

Fred is survived by his three children, Susan Manthey, Lori Manthey-Waldo and Julie Manthey; five grandchildren (Megan Waldo, Alina Waldo, Conor Patterson, Sydney (Patterson) Lattin, and Ryker Patterson); and four exchange student daughters and a son from Finland, Norway, Japan and Germany. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, in 2021, his parents Bea (Voras) and Frank Manthey, and his half-sister, Helen (Kruger) Reise. 

Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Mullan, Idaho, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at 10 a.m., with a reception following. A celebration-of-life wake will be held at the Wallace Elks Lodge in Wallace on Sept. 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. 

You may make donations in Fred’s memory to the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org). You may also share your stories and memories of Fred, as well as messages of condolence to his family, by visiting www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services of the Silver Valley is assisting the Manthey family.