Gifford Dinning, 88

Gifford Dinning, 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 11, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at the Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on June 20, 2015 at 11 a.m.

Gifford Eugene Dinning was born in Colorado on Nov. 11, 1926, to Rod and Mary Dinning. He was the oldest of eight children

Gifford and his family moved to Bonners Ferry when he was 12 years old. He would fondly tell of how the Long Bridge in Sandpoint, Idaho, had a sign that stated “Cross at Your Own Risk”.

Also, he told of how he watched the wooden planks bounce up in front of the car and behind the car as they drove across the bridge for the first time. They purchased 80 acres in Copeland, Idaho near the base of Hall Mountain. Gifford said that this area was like paradise with rich soil, plentiful game, and ripe fruit ready for picking.

Gifford met the love of his life after returning home from serving his country in the Navy. He caught the attention of Lura Washburn at a dance in Boundary County. Lura recalls how Gifford could really do the jitterbug on the dance floor. The two were married on June 11, 1949.

The loving couple were blessed with three children: Randy, Phillip, and Marilyn. They raised their children on a dairy farm in Copeland, Idaho. Gifford and his family spent many happy years living on the farm. Family and friends enjoyed coming to the farm for visits.

Gifford had many jobs throughout his life. He loved running his dairy farm. In addition, Gifford worked in the timber industry as a logger/scaler, built roads, and enjoyed maintaining the fair grounds for several years. In fact, Gifford helped build many of the mountain roads that people enjoy today in Boundary County.

Throughout his life, Gifford was a trusted counselor to many people. He and Lura took in children and those that needed help at their farm. Gifford spent countless hours counseling people who were completing their community service at the fairgrounds. Because he was so well liked, individuals would often come back to help him finish a job after they had fulfilled their hours. Often people would stop by his house for a kind word or a bit of advice.

Gifford was proceeded in death by Rod and Mary Dinning (parents); Randy Dinning (son); five brothers, and a sister. He is survived by: Lura Dinning (wife), Mary Ula Schaller (sister), Phillip and Judy Dinning (son/daughter-in-law), Maryln and Dean Walston (daughter/son-in-law), Rebecca and Eric Johnson (granddaughter/husband), and Matt Dinning (grandson), numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

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