Michael Dennis Youngwirth, 78

Our amazing father Michael Dennis Youngwirth, born Oct. 13, 1942, passed away peacefully at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on May 14, 2021.

He is survived by his six children, Patricia “Denise” (Tom) Winey, Michelle (Scott) Gross, Michael “John” (Deborah) Youngwirth, Linda (Lester) Perry, Deborah (Tony) Garcia, and Steven (Sheila) Youngwirth; and his grandchildren, Jenelle (Jason) Warner, Kara Winey, TJ (Jaime) Gross, Melissa (Rocky) Kramer, Mike (Melissa Mellon) Gross, Michael Youngwirth, Alayna Youngwirth, Tony Youngwirth, Austin (Aryianna) Jouppe, Ashley (Joey) Sanborn, Jeffrey (Maddie) Garcia, Nickolas Garcia, Paija Garcia, Tessa Youngwirth and Trever Koberstein; and numerous great-grandchildren; his sisters, Pam (Jim) Fulcher, Kathy (Butch) Thomason, and Mary (Tom) Mackey; his brothers, Mark (Barb) Youngwirth, Pat (Terrie) Youngwirth, and Tim (Blanche) Youngwirth; his wife, Edna Youngwirth; and an aunt, Marian Youngwirth of Sherburn Minnesota.

He was born to Leonard E. and Geraldine J. Youngwirth in Whittmore, Iowa. He attended school in Emmetsburg Iowa and graduated high school in 1960 from Emmetsburg Catholic High School. He started seminary school to become a Catholic priest until 1961 when he met the love of his life, Patricia (Patsy) Josephine Abeyta. They were married on March 2, 1962.  

Dad owned a couple different gas stations and worked several years for the Burlington Northern Railroad, then decided to move his family to Bonners Ferry in 1973. He worked at the mill, then for Jim Farber and Dan Klick at the IGA grocery store and then he repaired washer and dryers so he and his brother-in-law Doug Jensen opened Jensen’s County Fair Department Store in Bonners Ferry.

In 1980, he moved to Sparks, Nev., and worked as a casino supervisor until he moved his family back to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he got his real estate license and eventually his broker's license as well as his contractor's license. He opened his own real estate office in Post Falls, Idaho, and built many homes in Kootenai and Boundary counties. He later moved back to Bonners Ferry and opened Bonners Ferry Realty, which he ran until he retired. Mom passed away in 2013 and later, Dad married Edna L. Fry.

Family has always been a huge priority to our Dad. He was always there to help. We are forever grateful to him for moving us to Idaho. Dad loved to fish and hunt with his sons and sons-in-law and go camping with his family. He also loved planting and caring for his garden. Dad loved going on road trips!

Dad was our hero and will be greatly missed but we are glad he is suffering no more and is with our Mom and our Lord and Savior.

Funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday May 22, 2021, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. We are having a get-together afterward at the home of John and Deborah Youngwirth, 170 Cottonwood, in Naples. Food will be provided.