Vernon W. Robel, 93, Lewiston

July 12, 1919 - Jan. 31, 2013

Vernon W. Robel died at 5:48 p.m. Jan. 31, 2013, at Lifecare Center in Lewiston. Vernon Wendel Robel was born July 12, 1919, in Osage County close to Bartlesville, Okla. Born to Charles E. and Helen Schmuacker Robel, he was the youngest of seven children.

The family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1923 and to Lewiston in 1925, where his father found work as a carpenter helping construct the mill for Potlatch Corp. In November they moved to the Lewiston Orchards, purchasing the property where Dad lived until his death.

During World War II, Dad was drafted into military service. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from 1942 until 1945. After the war Dad returned to Lewiston, working for Potlatch Corp. for 35 years.

Vernon and Ruth Mandt were married in 1942. They had one son, David. This marriage ended in divorce.

Vernon and Della Marie Hosig were married Dec. 16, 1946. Together Mom and Dad shared 64 years of marriage. They had two children, a daughter Janet and a son Ed.

Dad and Mom enjoyed and shared a wonderful circle of family and friends. Their love and devotion to family was a bond that remains to this day. Dad loved his family! He loved to tell stories about family history and loved to laugh.

Dad's hobbies included traveling, hunting, shooting and watching western movies on television. Dad loved trips with family and friends. He went to Alaska and Canada numerous times and traveled many of the roads of the lower 48 states.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters. He lost his wife, Della Marie, in 2010.

Dad is survived by a son, David, wife Perlitta and their three children and six grandchildren. Dad is also survived by a daughter, Janet Robel; son, Ed Robel and his wife Linda; granddaughter, Mindi and her husband Alan Kaufman; and granddaughter, Krista and her husband Richard Carico, and their two children Olivia and Spencer Carico.

We are most thankful to St. Joseph Hospice, Care Connection Home Care and Lifecare Center of Lewiston for all the support you gave Dad and his family. Thank you!

A celebration of Dad's life is planned for spring.

The family suggests memorials be made to Mountain View Cemetery on Tahoe Ridge c/o Lewis Ulmer at 260 Ulmer Road, Kooskia, ID 83539; or St. Joseph Family Hospice, 415 Sixth St., Lewiston, ID 83501.