Franklin Paul Klein, 77

Franklin Paul Klein, 77, passed away unexpectedly at his home Feb. 26, 2007 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho from natural causes.

Frank was born in Madison, Indiana on May 16, 1929 to Frank and Thelma Klein. He had one younger half-sister, Martha.

Frank lived on the Ohio river which is one mile across. An avid swimmer, he crossed the width of river at the age of eight with his uncle boating alongside. Frank began his strong work ethic at an early age. At 10 years old, he worked on the proving grounds digging ditches during WWII. At 14, he moved to Denver, Colo., with his mother and step-father Robert Ward while Robert finished his internship in medicine. In 1946 at the age of 17 the family moved to Eads, Colo., where he would meet his future wife and love of his life Margaret. Frank was a dapper young city boy and caught the eye of young Margaret. They married Sept. 11, 1948 and set up housekeeping in Eads where Frank tried his hand at many different jobs looking for his passion.

As many knew, Frank had a small wild side and one of the most memorable moments in Eads history was the riding of his horse into the local drug store much to the dismay of the pharmacist and local authorities.

After the birth of their son Dalas in 1950, Frank and Margaret moved to Wild Horse, Colo. Frank went to work at the 120,000 acre JOD Ranch as a bronc buster and fence rider.

In 1952 a second child, Dana Sue, was born on the ranch. In the winter of 1954, the family packed up and moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho where Margaret's parents had relocated to in 1951. They never dreamed the snow could be higher than the car!! They lived in a one room cabin with a dirt floor on the Moyie River near Good Grief, ID which is still standing to this day. Frank tried his hand at lumberjacking and darn near fell his first tree on the little one room cabin. He went on to become a notorious logger and sawyer in the northwest. In 1955 Frank and Margaret welcomed another daughter, Tamra Jo. Frank continued to work in the woods for various operations. Working in the logging industry he learned to operate a jammer which introduced him to a career in line skidding. Their fourth child, Manon, was welcomed to the family in 1962.

In 1964 the family moved to Libby, MT where Frank continued his logging career as a gypo logger, employing several local young men through K-Line Logging. He later worked for Hanley Timber Company as woods boss being instrumental in developing the new skyline logging technique. Frank was an avid member of the Montana Logging Association.

In 1987 Frank, Margaret and Dana returned to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Frank continued to log for the next 10 years, utilizing a yarder that he and his son Dalas had built. He worked for several local logging contractors. Retirement then came and along with that his new career, FISHING. Many will remember Frank most for his never ending pursuit to catch the big one and his never ending story about the big one that got away.

Everyone that had the privilege to know Frank knew he was a family man first and foremost. His loving memory will be cherished forever.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be greatly missed by his wife Margaret E. Klein, children; Dalas W. Klein (wife Joanie), and Dana Sue Klein, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Tamra J. Hanley (husband Brian) of Hagerman, Idaho; S. Manon Hughes (husband Alvah), of Libby, Mont.; grandchildren; Tess J. Tessier and husband Michael of Trout Creek, Mont.; Alek D. Croucher of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Chelsea M. Sanderson (husband Byron) of Libby, Mont.; Andrew J. Davidson and Austin K. Davidson of Anchorage, Alaska; great-grand children Corey M. and Nick M. Tessier, Sierra N. and Brittany A. Spangler, and AuRaya F. Azure. He will also be lovingly remembered by his friends and family throughout.

He was preceded in death by his father Frank and wife Cece, his sister Martha, his uncles, Paul and Greg Klein, his aunt, Martha Klein and uncle Don Hummel, all of Madison, Ind., and his mother and step-father Dr. and Mrs. Robert Ward of Holly, Colo.