Donald 'King' Kayser

Donald “King” Kayser peacefully departed this world for the next on Sept. 23, 2021.

He was born during a triple-digit heatwave in his mother’s bedroom in Orland, Calif., on June 30, 1932. After a successful career as an insurance agent and entrepreneur in Chico, Calif., Don moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1978 and made it his home. He built a log cabin from logs he cut and skidded out of the wooded part of his property with a 1950s CAT. He liked to share how he peeled the first 10 logs with his pocketknife, before he found an easier way after getting advice from a local old-timer and began using “spud peelers” and a drawknife.

After his house was built, and after working at a local lumberyard, he founded his own insurance agency, Kayser Insurance, which is still in business today under different management, in Bonners Ferry.

He served the community through being active in the local Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce. He loved to make cotton candy at the Kiwanis’ yearly Kootenai River Days booth. He also ran for county commissioner, and was only narrowly defeated.

When Don retired, he divided his time between his home in Bonners Ferry and his home in Quartzite, Ariz., where he loved exploring the desert and serving his neighbors in whatever way he could.

He had a smile for everyone and was known for his cowboy hat, which he wore anytime he went outside — rain or shine.

He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Kayser; his mother, Amelia (Brunemeier) Kayser; his brother, Stanley Kayser; and his sister, Darlene (Kayser) Forbes; and his sons, David Lee Kayser and Terry Neal Kayser. Don is survived by his sons, Mark Kayser (spouse Sue), and Warren Kayser (spouse Susan); his daughters, Donna Huddleston (spouse Marty) and Leslie Nafus (spouse Didier); and his 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

The family is receiving no donations, flowers or cards at this time and a private, family-only service will be held.