Obituary - Thomas I. Femreite

Thomas Irwin Femreite, 91, Moscow

Thomas (Tommy) Irwin Femreite of Moscow and a longtime Deary resident, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was 91.

Tommy was born on June 19, 1920, in Deary to Henry and Laura Olson Femreite. He grew up on Texas Ridge and attended Elwood Country School, graduating from Deary High School. He enrolled in Caspar Aeronautics at San Diego State University. After becoming homesick for his fiance, he returned to Deary in 1941. He married in July 1941 and had a son. At the time, Tommy was working for Potlatch Forest Inc. On May 29, 1944, he was inducted to the U.S. Army and served in Japan. In 1946 following his discharge, he returned to Deary. They later divorced.

Tommy and Maxine Bennett were married August 23, 1952, and had two sons. They made their home in Deary. He continued his career with PFI in several capacities, including Northern Units logging superintendent. He retired after 42 years with the company. Maxine died in January 1989, and in December he re-married. They made their home in Moscow and enjoyed their winter home in Yuma, Ariz., since 1990.

He was a member of the Masonic and Shrine bodies, served on the Whitepine School Board, was the mayor of Deary and a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Deary. In his younger years his many hobbies included hunting and fishing, and later bee-keeping and a lifelong love of gardening. He was known for his "green thumb" and was eager to share his produce. Tommy's 42 years of maintaining daily diaries contributed to the publishing of his autobiography "Strawberry" on his 89th birthday.

Tommy is survived by his wife at their Moscow home; sons and daughters-in-law of Richland, Deary, and Moscow; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters of Reno, Nev., and Post Falls; and three step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepdaughter, Eileen Houston; an infant brother, Garfield; and his sisters, Mabel Falk, Irene Shepherd and Daisy Hoidal.

A celebration of his life will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene. A family friend will officiate; a reception and luncheon at the Deary Community Center will follow. A private family burial will precede the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Moscow.

The family suggests memorials be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Deary, Deary Ambulance or a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

Lewiston Tribune, October 25, 2011, p. 5D
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock