John L. Weisgerber, 93, Lewiston

John Leonard Weisgerber

Sept. 27, 1916 - Sept. 24, 2010

John Leonard Weisgerber, 93, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Sept. 24, 2010, in Lewiston, from causes related to age.

The second son of Hattie Adeline Spengler and Otto Henry Weisgerber, John was born on Sept. 27, 1916, in Lewiston. John attended school and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1936.

John and his three brothers were raised in a family rich with pioneer history in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. John's father was the son of Christian (Christ) and Mary Jacobs Weisgerber. Christ was an enthusiastic businessman and prominent property owner in the early days of Lewiston, serving 22 years as a council member and mayor of Lewiston from 1899-1900. He and his brothers, Ernst and Johannes, were the owners and operators of Weisgerber Brothers Brewery on First and Main from 1863 to 1913.

John's mother, Hattie Spengler Weisgerber, was the daughter of Adam C. and Adeline Keup Spengler. Her parents were instrumental in bringing to the valley, in 1906, a bakery that would eventually expand and flourish to become a major contributor to Lewiston's economy. By 1977 Spengler's Holsum Baking Co. remained one of fewer than half a dozen wholesale family owned bakeries in the Pacific Northwest.

John was raised in Lewiston. During and after high school, he worked for the family business, Spengler's Bakery. He attended Lewiston Normal School with plans of becoming a teacher, but realized his talent and passion was in art and design. He moved to San Francisco, Calif., to study interior design at the San Francisco School of Design, where he received his certification with the American Society of Interior Designers. He completed his apprenticeship at Walter Richter Design Studios and was employed at Bruener's Home Furnishings, both in San Francisco.

At the same time, his sweetheart, Gertrude Lyons of Lewiston, was attending Mills College, located in the San Francisco area. John and Gertrude were married Oct. 6, 1948, in Reno, Nev. They remained in the Bay area until 1951, when they returned to Lewiston. John and Gertrude were blessed with the birth of their son, Charles Gordon Christopher (Chris), on April 17, 1952.

John worked for Berger - Mace Furniture in Lewiston as a design consultant and in sales until 1961. John and Gertrude opened their own business, Weisgerber Interiors, at the corner of Fourth and D Streets in 1962. John's youngest brother, Adam, joined them in this business for 10 years. Their Lewiston business expanded and flourished with John's natural artistic talent, flair, expertise and personal service. In 1973, the business moved to 209 Ninth Street, and with the addition of their son Chris to the sales team, the Weisgerber's business served the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and outlying areas until it closed for retirement in 2006.

John enjoyed music, attending the symphony, and playing both the organ and the piano. Annually, he and Gertrude looked forward to their trips to San Francisco and Chicago to attend "Furniture Market" and visit these cities that they loved. For several years, John enjoyed writing his weekly Sunday column for the Lewiston Tribune: Decorators "Notes from John." John was a member of the Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus and was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

John loved living in his historic home on Sixth Avenue. He prided himself in sharing that it was designed by the nationally renowned architect, Kirtland Cutter, who in the late 1800s to early 1900s was designing many Spokane-area buildings; one of them being the prestigious Davenport Hotel, which was built in 1914. John and his family moved into the Sixth Avenue home in 1981. He loved the expansive property, the rose garden, and the sweeping view of downtown Lewiston and the Clearwater River from his sunroom and deck. He was able to enjoy his home to his last day, when he was called to his eternal home by God.

John was never without a smile. He had a contagious laugh and always a warm welcome whether you came to his business or his home. He loved to entertain. John had a classic style about him that was unique. He paid impeccable attention to detail and fashion, and he had impressionable taste in art, color, placement and design. He was well-respected among his clients and business associates.

John is survived by his son, Chris, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Otto Roy, Stephen Phillip and Adam Chris, and his wife of 55 years, Gertrude.

A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lewiston. To celebrate John's life, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the same site.

John's expertise, warm spirit and sense of humor were closely woven in the fabric of his life. He has left an important imprint with all who were blessed to know him as family, friend or businessman. Truly, an important chapter in the Weisgerber-Spengler history in Lewiston has now come to a close with the passing of John.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts may be sent to Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, P.O. Box 1700, Boise 83701, or All Saints Catholic Parish at St. Stanislaus, 633 Fifth Ave., Lewiston.

Arrangements are under the direction of Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston.