Harold John Dehlbom, 94

Harold John Dehlbom, 94 passed away Friday, May 28, 2010, at Boundary Community Hospital’

s Extended Care Facility in Bonners Ferry, where he spent the last years of his life. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Moravia Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Harold was born in Copeland, Idaho, to Julius  and Grace Dehlbom on Aug. 11, 1915. Harold was the middle sibling, having one older brother and sister and a younger brother and sister.

Harold began his working years at the age of 10 or 11. Starting out with his dad, he cut and hauled post material for the Kootenai Valley Railroad and worked on the dykes in the Porthill and Copeland area of the Kootenai Valley. He and his dad also ran trap lines into the mountains, where they would have a cabin supplied for winter. They stayed from late fall; snow shoeing in and skiing out.

As a young man, Harold worked as a trailblazer and manned lookouts in the north and east part of Boundary County for the Forest Service. In April 1942, Harold joined the Army.

He attained the rank of T5 (corporal) in the Fourth Artillery Corps and served in the Italian campaigns; Po Valley, Rome Arno, and North Appenines, where he received the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

Upon returning home from the war, Harold began working in the lumber and logging industries.

It was at this point that he met Norma, his wife of 56 years. They had four daughters. Harold worked for Bonners Ferry Lumber Co. and Ellersicks Mill for some years.He bought his home in the Moravia area in 1963 and worked for Pack River Lumber Co. in Colburn until retiring in 1978.

Harold was preceded in death by his sister Elvera; brother, Ernest; his wife, Norma Lamberson-Dehlbom, and a daughter, Karen Dehlbom.             

Surviving him include daughters Dianna Watters of Troy, Mont., Dorene Dehlbom of Moravia and Mona Schauble of Naples; brother Robert (Kathy) Dehlbom of Washington; sister Lillian (Ben) Perry of Washington; stepchildren, Terry and Bart Dinning; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and his special friend, Joni.

Everyone who ever knew Harold knew him best for hard work, singing, and story telling. He loved his family life, children of all ages, gardening, animals, fishing, and hunting. He will be forever loved and missed by all and remembered through his stories.

We love you Daddy (Grandpa).

Family and friends are invited to sign Harold’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.