Joe Mesenbrink
Joe Mesenbrink passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at his home in Moyie Springs after fighting a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.
A service celebrating his life was held 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Wellspring Community Center in Bonners Ferry.
Joe was born Aug. 16, 1945, in Bonners Ferry to John and Dorothea Mesenbrink.
He was raised on the family farm in the shadow of Goat Mountain, where he lived with his parents, grandfather Joe LaFountain and older brothers Eugene, Rene and Herman.
As a child, Joe spent his days playing with the pigs and tormenting his brothers, who were 18, 16 and 14 years older than him.
He received his first round of education in Boundary County, including being among the first to attend Evergreen School. Joe graduated in 1963 as valedictorian of his class.
Joe and his parents moved to California so Joe could attend University of California-Berkley, where he earned a bachelor of science in geology in 1969. Joe continued at Berkley, working on his master's degree. He, however, did not like working in the Nevada mines, so he returned to Boundary County and signed up for the Idaho National Guard.
Joe met the love of his life while picking up the baby-sitter for his brother's children in November 1970. He came from Mesenbrink Mill, expecting a teenager to meet him at the Manus residence. Cherry was expecting an 'old man,' having only been told by Rene that his brother would be picking her up.
They were both awed by the meeting, and Joe asked Cherry if he could join her after he cleaned up.
They married April 24, 1971, and the 37 years they shared together were filled with fun, laughter and love.
To feed his family and support his hobbies, Joe founded The Boondocks in the late 1970s. Though the name stayed the same, the product changed over the years from boats to snowmobiles to specialty wood products.
Joe always claimed the main reason for wanting to be self-employed was to be close to his wife and children.
In addition to his busy hours of work, Joe served on Boundary County Fair Board; belonged to the Snowmobile Club; and was a 4-H Leader, volunteer firefighter and member of Search and Rescue. The list goes on and on.
Most recently, Joe was re-elected to serve his fourth term as mayor of Moyie Springs, where he truly found his niche in serving the community he loved so well.
Joe worked hard, but he played harder. During winter, he was an avid snowmobile rider, racing on the tracks and climbing the highest heights. He loved cutting the wake on his slalom ski in the summertime behind his boat and had broken eardrums from hard crashes as testimony.
Joe loved camping, fishing, traveling, dancing, hosting Halloween parties, playing cards and being with friends and family.
Anyone who knew Joe knows he loved The Far Side and was often heard quoting his favorites, 'You know, the one about the…' There was nothing he enjoyed more than making people laugh.
Joe leaves behind his best friend and soul mate, Cherry; brother, Rene; children Michelle Funderberg and her husband, Tim, Marie Byars and her husband, Mike, Jon Mesenbrink and his wife, Chiaki, and Laura Harmon and her husband, Adam; grandchildren Keevin, Devin, Mikayla, Madeleine, Jarreka, Tarrin, Rebecca, Jaden, Jennelle and Alexander; and nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and brothers and sisters-in-law.
Family and friends can sign Joe's book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.