Moyie mayor passes

Moyie Springs Mayor Joe Mesenbrink lost his battle with cancer early Wednesday morning.

The 62-year-old, who on Monday returned from a four-week stay at a cancer treatment center in Texas, didn’t pass without meeting his newest grandson, Alexander Joseph Harmon.

“He met him yesterday who was born April 27 to Mesenbrink’s daughter, Laura, and her husband, Adam.

“He met him yesterday (Tuesday),” said Marie Byars, another of Mesenbrink’s daughters. “He held him and he said ‘hey there little man, aren’t you great.’”

Hours later, Mesenbrink died from pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed one years ago, the cancer had spread after undergoing seven months of treatment. The family had counted on him surviving after undergoing four weeks of cutting-edge treatment at the Cancer Care Center in Houston. He left on March 25.

Mesenbrink on Monday flew into Spokane, Wash., and spent the night at Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint before returning to his home in Moyie at about noon Tuesday.

“He really wanted to come home,” Byars said. “He wanted to be with his family. We were all here. All of his children, my mom and all of his grandkids.”

Prior to getting cancer, Mesenbrink was the picture of health. Throughout his illness, he remained positive, cheerful, optimistic and productive. Event at his worst, Mesenbrink continued to participate in his wood products business, The Boondocks.

Moyie’s mayor for 13 years, Mesenbrink has been involved as a volunteer firefighter, with Search and Rescue, Boundary County Fair Board and snowmobile activities.

In addition to Harmon and Byars, Mesenbrink leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Cherry; daughter Michelle Funderburg of Pocatello; son Jon of Moyie Springs; and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

“He always wanted a celebration of life,” Byars said. “We’re planning on something outdoors if we can get the weather. A lot of people sure did love him.”

“He was the person I would immediately call with every little detail of my life for his input,” she continued.