Stieg W. Gabrielsen, 63

Stieg W. Gabrielsen, 63, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, while hunting in St. Joe.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, three children, and 10 grandchildren.

Stieg grew up in Gig Harbor, Wash., and graduated from Washington State University.

He married in 1965; Stieg and his wife were happily married for 42 years.

In 1969, the couple moved to North Idaho, where Stieg became a prominent forester, retiring in 2002.

He had strong land ethics and practiced sustainable forest management throughout his career.

Stieg loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman. As a youth, he taught himself how to hunt, fish and survive in the outdoors. This love for hunting and the outdoors was his passion.

Friends and family knew of his desire to "die doing what I love." In this sense, God directed his steps as he died hunting with his friend and son, David.

As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, Stieg will be truly missed.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Hayden Lake Friends Church at Highway 95 and Miles Avenue.

Memorials can be sent to Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent Ave., P.O. Box 4066, Spokane, Wash., 99220-0066.