Adrian Edward Litalien, 84

Longtime Boundary County resident Adrian Edward Litalien, 84, passed away July 30, 2015, at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, surrounded by his loving wife and family by his side.

A funeral service was be held at Mountain Springs Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Monday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery following the funeral service with rendition of military honors by the United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps League.

Adrian was born in Carrington, N.D., on May 20, 1931, to Frank and Alma Litalien. He moved to Bonners Ferry with his parents and seven siblings at age three. He was the seventh child in a family of 10 children. Frank and Alma settled in the Curly Creek area upon arriving in Bonners Ferry. The family of 12 lived in a log house at Curly Creek where they shared beds that lined all the walls of the cabin.

In the wintertime, Adrian recalled that their blankets often froze to the walls.

Later in life the family moved and lived at the base of Camp 9 and the children attended McKinley School. Adrian missed the 5th grade after allegedly becoming sick from eating green apples. At 10 years old, he was skidding logs with his father and a team of horses. They family also hand hewed railroad ties to make a living.

The family later moved to town and Adrian attended the seventh and eighth grade at Southside School. To his great disappointment, Mable Cash was once again his teacher, as she followed him from McKinley School.

During his high school years, the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he attended and graduated from St. Thomas Catholic High School in 1950. Upon graduating at age 17, he followed his sister, Janie and family, to Shelton, Wash., where they worked for Simpson logging company. His first job with the company was to be on fire watch where they were skidding logs over rocks.

Luckily, no fires were ever started on his watch. When he came of age, he was able to work the high lead at Simpson and also worked for the railroad putting in ties when it rained.

Before he could be drafted, Adrian chose to enlist in the Marines during the Korean War. He served from April 1952 to March 1954 and was stationed in Japan. Upon discharge from the Marines, he returned to Bonners Ferry and lived with his sister Rita who got him a job working for Clay Trouse farming in district 10.

In 1955, his brother in law, John Foust, got him a job with the Pack River Lumber Company. He worked there for 10 years until they ended their gypo logging. He then went to work as a gypo for Koyle Hatfield where he logged with Lowell Anderson and Dean Zimmerman, his childhood friend. They helped build many of the roads in Boundary County. Adrian truly loved logging, especially road building. He took great pride in perfecting the road and was revered by his friends Dean, Lowell, John, Buster Pluid and the Plato brothers, Leland and Gail. During his time logging, Adrian and Lowell worked together building fire line on the Sundance Fire. They nearly became trapped on one occasion but due to their skills as cat operators, they were able to escape by sliding down the rocks.

Following two back injuries while logging, Adrian was forced into disability and retirement in 1977. Although his heart never left the woods. He kept his love of logging alive by sharing his wisdom and skills with his son-in-law and grandson.

In March of 1955 Adrian met the love of his life and partner of 57 years, Lois Tritt. They were wed on Sept. 7, 1957. During their marriage, they were blessed with four wonderful children. In 2007 Adrian and Lois celebrated their 50th anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Adrian was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Alma Litalien, brothers Don, Ray and Robert, who was killed in France during World War II at age 18, sisters Rita Copeland (Tom), Evalyn Holmes (Reed), Bea Evans (Eddie), Janie Babinski (Walt), and Doris Henderson (Bob).

Adrian is survived by his wife Lois, daughters Pamela Abeyta, Donna Merrifield (Lon), Marilyn Thompson (Mike), son Michael (Cyndi), brother Jerry (Phyllis), grandchildren Crystal Bliss, Heidi Mendenhall, Amy Geischen, Kevin Merrifield, Holly Scarborough, Ryan Merrifield, Tiara Schreindl, Tasheena Smith, Trisha Piller, Lance and Loren Abeyta, Kayla Osborne, Jacob, Joe and Andrew Thompson, Matthew and Lindsey Litalien, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Adrian had many passions in his life, which included his faith and family. He enjoyed fishing mountain streams and lakes, hunting, camping, cutting fire wood, and pinochle. He never bid without an Ace.

He loved whooping the younger guys in a game of horse shoes and he could often be found schooling his family in all of the above. Adrian will be dearly missed by all and fondly remembered as Papa 2 by his great- grandchildren. Their comfort is found in knowing that he is home with his Heavenly Father.

Memorials in his honor may be made to the Friends of the Restorium in Bonners Ferry. Condolences and memories may be shared online by visiting www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.