Francis Julien Bucher, 73
Francis Julien Bucher, 73, died in a farm accident on Jan. 2, 2007, on his land near Porthill, Idaho. Funeral services were held at 11a.m., Jan. 6, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6784 Cody - Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Burial followed at Copeland Cemetery, Copeland, Idaho.
Julien was born at his Aunt Mona's house near Porthill on Oct. 28, 1933 to Frank and Edna Bucher.
After graduating from Bonners Ferry High School in 1951, he attended college at the University of Idaho for two years, and then joined the US Air Force as a reserve officer. During his 20 years of service, he attained the rank of major and traveled widely, living in locations around the world including Japan, Korea and Newfoundland. He married Jacqueline Merimann in 1960, and adopted and raised her two sons, John and Mike. They divorced in 1972.
In 1974 he retired from the Air Force and married Nancy Linder in Omaha, Nebraska. They moved back to his childhood farm near Porthill and raised cattle.
During most of these years, the responsibilities of the farm allowed no vacation time, but his sentiment was, "When you live in heaven, why go anywhere else?"
In 2003, he sold the cattle to Chris and Teri Amoth, and they assumed the primary responsibilities for the farm, while he remained involved with the haying and cattle care. He passed away doing what he loved, working on the farm.
Throughout his life, Julien had a passion for his community. He was proud to be a citizen of Boundary County, and served it through his involvement in numerous organizations and committees, including the Human Rights Task Force, the Better Boundary County Coalition, the Hospital Board, the Weed Board, the Co-op Board and the Democratic Party.
He loved Boundary County's many facets, from its mountains to its people, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand, to stand up for what he believed to be right, and to bring people together to work towards a stronger community.
He lived his life with integrity, commitment, wisdom and humanity. His enthusiasm for learning was intense and enduring, and afforded him a full life with hobbies including astronomy, geology, hand-loading, airplanes, photography, philosophy and history.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Vince. He is remembered by wife Nancy, daughters Janet and Joy and son-in-law Alex Alviar, sons John and Mike Bucher, sister-in-law Maria Bucher, nephews Tony and Michael Bucher, five grandchildren and numerous friends.
Memorials may be sent to the Class of '51 Scholarship Fund, attention Alva Baker, PO Box 447, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
Arrangements are under the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home - Bonners Ferry, Idaho.